The Arizona Coyotes have recalled forward Eric Selleck from their AHL affiliate Springfield Falcons ahead of Thursday’s contest against the Dallas Stars.
Arizona Coyotes general manager Don Maloney has a knack for pulling off the unexpected. He also has a reputation for occasionally bringing in the unexpected.
Such is the case with the recall of forward Eric Selleck from the Springfield Falcons on Wednesday.
Eric Selleck is a former Division III hockey player at Oswego State and last saw time in the NHL in the 2012-13 season with the Florida Panthers.
Here is the Arizona Coyotes’ press release on Selleck’s recall:
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"Arizona Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have recalled forward Eric Selleck from the Springfield Falcons, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate (AHL). The 28-year-old Selleck has recorded 10-12-22 with 137 penalty minutes (PIM) in 59 games with Springfield this season. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound forward has played in two career NHL games and tallied an assist with the Florida Panthers during the 2012-13 season. Last season with the Portland Pirates (AHL), Selleck set career highs in assists (15) and points (23) and collected 185 PIM. The Spencerville, Ontario native played college hockey at SUNY-Oswego (NCAA) and was signed by the Coyotes as a free agent on July 3, 2015."
There can be only one reason for the addition of Selleck to the lineup down the stretch for the Arizona Coyotes. Beef.
Eric Selleck has engaged in 7 fights in the AHL in 2015-16 and was involved in 15 bouts in 2014-15. The 28-year-old forward racks up the penalty minutes in the same way Steve Downie did, only he provides a little more ‘oomph’ for all that trouble.
The call-up could be in response to the shenanigans that went on in the Arizona Coyotes recent win over the Philadelphia Flyers that saw the Coyotes either unable or unwilling to respond to the Flyers’ aggression. Mr. Selleck doesn’t have those restraints.
The call-up could also be a solid gesture from Maloney and Tippett to an unlikely warrior. Beyond his ability and willingness to throw and take punches, Eric Selleck is also notable for his time at Oswego State. He parlayed that Division III college opportunity into a pro career.
He told Syracuse.com’s Lindsay Kramer, “I would have never imagined (going from Oswego to the pros). But sometimes just the chance you get and the opportunity, you’ve got to run with it,” he said. “I always strived for the best. But you’re against the odds. You’re playing D-III. I just played as hard as I could and look where I am now, so hard work pays off.”
Next: Coyotes Rookie Max Domi Fights Sharks' Edouard Vlasic
Now he’s back in the NHL, three seasons after he last skated on the big stage.
I would call that a success story.