ON THE HORIZON – Rhett Rakhshani, F, Bridgeport (AHL)
Washington Capitals forward Joel Ward’s ascension onto the National Hockey League scene could definitely be looked at as an unconventional one. In spite of beginning his hockey career nearly 15 years ago as a member of the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League, it was a resurgence a few years later playing roller hockey at Hot Skates in nearby Lynbrook that paved a pathway back to the NHL and onto a four-year, $12 million contract in the nation’s capital.
For New York Islanders prospect Rhett Rakhshani, his route to the NHL hopes to follow a similar path as Ward. Yet, it was his love to flow freely in his hometown of Huntington Beach, California on roller skates as a five-year old that gave him the impetus to make the transition onto the ice just a few short years later.
“I attribute all my success on the ice to starting out as a roller hockey player,” said the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Rakhshani. “Roller hockey allowed me to be creative offensively. It also made me a better puck handler.”
At age nine, Rakhshani seamlessly transitioned his game from the hardwood (or blacktop) to the ice. One year later, thanks to the help of local ice hockey coach Jeff Turcotte, Rakhshani found himself playing competitive ice hockey for the California Wave in both Westminster and Lakewood, California.
“Thanks to Jeff, I was in the right opportunity at the right time,” said Rakhshani. “It was a great break for me, and I immediately fell in love with the game.”
Rakhshani played seven years for the Wave, moving up from peewee to Midget AAA. In his final season in Midgets, the 16-year-old Rakhshani’s offensive prowess was in full display. He tallied 121 points in 56 games, scoring 54 goals and assisting on 67 others.
That summer, the Rakhshani clan convened in Southern California and decided to fast track Rhett’s progress with a move to the Midwest to play competitive high school hockey.
“My mom and I moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Ann Arbor, (Michigan),” said Rakhshani. “It was definitely a sacrifice on the family, but it was also a very good experience for me.
“I was playing against a much higher level of competition.”
In his two seasons in Ann Arbor, Rakhshani scored 43 goals and added 49 assists in 122 games. As a junior, he was named as one of his team’s assistant captains. As a senior, he finished with the fourth highest point total on his team.
Furthermore, Rakhshani’s senior season also included an invite to the IIHF World Championships, where he helped Team USA win the title.
“It was a great thrill to represent Team USA,” said Rakhshani. “It was quite a challenge competing against the World’s best.”
With an eye towards attending a four-year institution to further his hockey play, Rakhshani narrowed his collegiate choices to three – Wisconsin, Colorado College and Denver.
His choice was made simple after a visit with University of Denver head coach George Gwozdecky.
“When I first spoke to coach G, he made everything seem very comfortable,” said Rakhshani, who earlier in the summer was selected by the Islanders in the fourth round (100th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. “The style of play fit mine, and I loved the entire coaching staff.
“It was also the closest D-1 school to my home.”
As a freshman, Rakhshani quickly became acclimated to Gwozdecky’s rapid style. In turn, the 18th year head coach became enamored with the puck handling displays of the former roller hockey standout.
“The great advantage of growing up and playing roller hockey is the ability to make unique plays with the puck,” said Gwozdecky, a seven-time NCAA hockey championship coach. “And with Rhett, similar to when I coached (current Los Angeles King farm-hand) Gabe Gauthier here at Denver, his ability to maintain control on a slick roller hockey surface allows his hands to be much quicker than those players who grew up playing on a clean sheet of ice.”
Rakhshani accumulated 36 points – 10 goals and 26 assists – in his first 40 games as a Pioneer.
He followed his freshman season, by scoring 28 and 37 points, respectively, over his sophomore and junior seasons. As a junior, Rakhshani was named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s All Academic Team, along with being named as a Third Team All Star.
Instead of opting to turn pro following his junior season, Rakhshani returned to college and broke out offensively. He scored 21 goals and added 29 assists in 41 games, and was named a WCHA First Team All Star. He was also named by his teammates as the Pioneers’ primary captain.
While his scoring output drew attention throughout the country, it was his leadership skills that Gwozdecky most admired.
“When we pick captains here at Denver, I usually let the entire team choose. I make the final decision.” said Gwozdecky. “With Rhett, his personality and intelligence makes others want to be around him.
“He is and will always be one of those guys that lives a great lifestyle. He is admired for his on-ice skills, but more-so, he attracts good people around him.”
After graduating Denver with honors, Rakhshani signed his three-year entry level contract on Long Island in the spring of 2010 and quickly made a brief appearance in Bridgeport – the Islanders’ top AHL affiliate. He had two assists in five games as a Sound Tiger.
He returned to Bridgeport in the fall, and despite the team’s overall struggles, Rakhshani netted a franchise rookie-record 24 goals and 62 points in 66 games. He earned a brief two-game call-up to the Island, but was held scoreless.
“The two games playing on Long Island was a little sample size,” said Rakhshani. “ But I knew that I had the skill set to play on that level.”
With hopes of breaking the NHL camp this past fall, Rakhshani suffered a concussion in the team’s first rookie game against Boston. On the mend for a couple of weeks, Rakhshani returned to the ice in a preseason tilt at Calgary in late September. Unfortunately, his clean bill of health would only last two periods, as he suffered a left knee injury. He would be sidelined for the next two months.
“I have had a lot of time to rest from both my concussion and my knee injury,” said Rakhshani. “My main objective is to get my timing back.”
Rakhshani returned to action in late November, playing alongside Tyler McNeely and all-star Casey Cizikas in Bridgeport. His hard-nosed play and overall scoring touch has jumpstarted the Sound Tigers, as they have yet to lose in the 2012 calendar year. They have won eight straight, and sit tied for second place with Adirondack and Albany in the Northeast Division. They stand two points behind division leader Connecticut.
“Rhett is a natural goal scorer,” said first-year Sound Tigers head coach Brent Thompson. “He has been a key to our power play as of late.
“We lean on him to score.”
Rakhshani has scored nine goals and added 12 assists in 24 games for the Sound Tigers.
Still, Rakhshani’s focus is towards a full-time promotion to the show.
“I want to play in the NHL right now,” said Rakhshani, who models his game after Philadelphia Flyers winger Danny Briere and Calgary Flames winger Mike Camalleri, based on their explosive burst in spite of their diminutive size. “I don’t think I have had all that I can eat in the AHL, but I think I am good enough to play in the NHL. Sooner rather than later …”
Gwozdecky also believes his former forward’s opportunity is soon approaching.
“To me, when he is able to maintain his physical health, Rhett will be a strong contributor in the NHL,” said Gwozdecky. “I could see him scoring 20-to-25 goals on the next level and be a top-8 forward.”
Is Rakhshani deserving of earning top-nine minutes for an NHL team currently tied with Columbus and Minnesota for second-to-last in the league in goals for? Is Rakhshani’s scoring touch in the ‘A’ attractive enough to pry away a young blue-liner from a team who not only sits alone in the NHL cellar in goals for, but also plays their home games just miles away from the calm air of Huntington Beach?
Only time will tell.
26 Responses to ON THE HORIZON – Rhett Rakhshani, F, Bridgeport (AHL)
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upstateisles says:
oh no, we aren’t really going to talk about Rhett are we? Perennial Bridgeporter
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Nick Innella says:
why not kids a good player and is going to contribute something very soon to the island…ive played against him and alot of his buddies from cali hes a good player guys
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well I have played against Michael Haley and I’ll tell you he is who I’d rather see in an Islanders uni than Rhett…he’s good don’t get me wrong, but he’s not a pro man be real…call it as you see it, don’t dish out props cuz you played against him and think he looked amazing!!! I played against Robby Schremp growing up and he blew EVERYONE who laid eye on him out of the water…after a short tenure, he and the NHL both realized his place in hockey is on the other side of the pond where hitting is practically taken out of the game and size is second to speed…go on Rhett, follow Robby, you’ll have a better opportunity to blossom.
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Real Hockey Fan says:
.. Is this organization ALLERGIC to guys who are 6’2″ and 200+ lbs?
.. I appreciate the headsup and articles on the young kids (I really do guys)
.. But it just makes ya wonder with this organization, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get some size and grit and sandpaper on this roster from top to bottom, ASAP PLZ
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Whaaaaaaaaaaaat says:
Hamonic, niño, Nelson, sundstrom
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Lee, pedan, mayfield, Martin, Persson, Petrov, Kabanov
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Danfromouteast says: Those are the guys I wanna see
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the truth says:
johan sundstrom 6.2 210 pound team sweden,Brock nelson6.3 215. anders lee 6.2 210 all real good ,one ready next year sundstrom the other two years away still in college.Brock nelson rave reviews from scouts.Sundstrom a steal in 2 round.
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Ethan K says:
Man everyone’s reactions are very negative with him. He’s a Parenteau-type player. Small but great speed and hands. I don’t think he’s NHL ready yet, but he can certainly become a good third line player who can bring offense (and BOY can we use one of those) and help out on the PP. If the Islanders don’t see him having a spot, then he does have trade value, and could be moved for maybe an organization that wants a young goal scorer and is willing to swap for a solid defensive prospect.
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Brian G says:
Bring him up now with Ullstrom and Cizikas and waive Rolston, Pandolfo, & Reasoner….
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Brian A says:
moulson-tavares-okposo
Grabner-Nielsen-Parenteau
Ullstrom-Bailey-Martin
Nino-Cizikas-Rakhshani -
AngryPete says:
We’re always looking ON THE HORIZON
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Irish Isle says:
Hopefully Rhett makes for a nice trade piece for a proven player.
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Adam from Astoria says:
Dress Haley!!! I don’t want to see any more runs at the Franchise (#91)! What are we going to lose out on? Seeing how many games guys like Wallace and Pandolfo can go w/o registering a point? How can haley produce less???
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Danfromouteast says:
Rakashani I’m sure is going to be a good player but when they already have a bunch of small guys another one is not what they need. I loved jason blake man he played bigger than his size but no way would or is a team going to win with 12 blakes on offense and 6 guys like blake on defense. With guys like Chara, lucid, hartnall, etc you need some size. All big guys would be slow as well. A nice blend of speed, size, finesse and grit is the recipe for success. With nabby and the cubano in net and poulin, Nilsson, kosicek(I know misspelled) goalie is fine. Now some dmen with size and some big scoring forwards and an enforcer or two hello playoffs. Oh wait this is wangs team sorry. I heard scouts were looking at some figure skaters.
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Mark P says:
How is Rhett a Perenial AHLer….might be….but not fair yet to call him that. One season in AHL-All rookie team. And the Parenteau comparison sounds right.
I would give him a shot and move Rolston down the pecking order.
As far as size….Snow clearly showed he recognized the problem drafting Mayfield, Pedan, and Sundstrum early.
Just glad hamonic grew 2 inches and 25 pounds since he was drafted. -
chad says:
too small, he’d never last. ullstrom is the one who should be here. and haley
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The Pork Chop Express says:
Sounds promising but should be used as one of the pieces in the Bobby Ryan trade or the Shea Weber trade. We need both of these players and it will take a position player, a high draft pick and a prospect for each one.
Come on Garth this is the only way to get good players here. You need to make trades. UFA does not work.
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Danfromouteast says:
Just dreaming but imagine nash and Ryan and weber. Ahhh I I I …. just woke up
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How about this dream for next year
Ryan,Taveras,Moulson
Parise, Strome,PA or Bailey
Nino,Nielsen,Martin orBailey
Cizikas,Gaustaud,MartinStreit/Weber
Hamonic/MacDonald
Gleason/Souray (Until Donovan is ready)I think I will stay a sleep a while longer!!
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Tavares*
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Isleinexile says:
If you’re talking about trading prospects for established players, an interesting thought here:
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Interesting Article. That is an easy yes trade. Would perfer Ryan over Nash but cant be picky at this point. Once you get one or two big names in here people will want to come.
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Ray Kaats says:
Brian A has it nailed. His lines are exactly what we should be watching.
Rolston is stealing his money. Pandolfo is done and Reasoner shows nothing.
The worst thing about Rolston and less so Pandolfo is that THEY are the reason the kids are not developing as fast as possible. How can anyone succeed playing with Brian Rolston who is retired on the ice. Pandolfo is done. Rather than calling up a good kid to start learning they play Pandolfo out of position.
You can see Nino improving. You can see him starting to fire up the ice only to find he’s all alone. That’s what playing with a done guy & an AHLer does. Nino is trying to improve but can’t playing on his own.
I now believe Bailey is a bust as a #9 overall pick but how can Bailey & Martin improve when they are playing on a two man line. Rolston has nothing left & doesn’t care. Not a good combination.
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RICH L says:
isleinexisle, heres another article…
he was brought up for a few games last year and was quite invisible