Mike Griffith: Ex-LA Kings draft pick seeking new start with Condors
| Wednesday, Oct 08 2008 01:47 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 02:46 PM
Things didn't work out for Dany Roussin in the Los Angeles Kings organization.
Now the former junior teammate of NHL star Sidney Crosby is looking for a fresh start in Bakersfield.
Picked in the second round of the NHL draft by the Kings in 2005 after two outstanding seasons as a linemate to Crosby on the Rimouski Oceanic team, the high-scoring Roussin never lived up to expectations.
He played in 29 games at the American Hockey League level as a rookie, saw just 15 games at that level as a second-year player and spent all of last season with Reading (Penn.) in the ECHL.
Roussin, 23, said he never felt like he fit in with the Kings organization and said he turned to the Condors to jumpstart his career.
"When I got out of juniors I was an offensive player (233 points in 135 games over his last two seasons) and they put me on a defensive line," Roussin said of his time at the AHL level. "I had a little problem my first couple of seasons."
By his third season, the Kings were no longer interested and he spent all his time with Reading where he was second in points (57) and led the league in plus/minus at plus 15.
"I was looking at options, of maybe going to Europe, but I like North America and decided to give it another shot here before I make the move to Europe," Roussin said.
Raymond said Roussin now has the opportunity to prove he belongs at a higher level.
"This is a new beginning for him," Raymond said. "This is a chance to showcase himself. He's a good hockey player. He has good skill, is strong on his skates and can shoot the puck. He has everything going for him.
"We needed some scoring and playmaking, and that's what he provides."
Roussin started the season in AHL camp with the Milwaukee Admirals and practiced with the Condors for the first time on Sunday.
Raymond expects Roussin to see some action in Milwaukee or with another AHL team this season.
"I love the group here right now," Roussin said. "But as a hockey player you're always looking to move up. I'm looking to play hard, play good and move up."
Notes
* The Condors received an added scoring boost when the Manitoba Moose re-assigned Mark Derlago to Bakersfield on Tuesday. Derlago scored 57 points (39 goals, 18 assists) in 68 games as a rookie with the Condors last season and got a sniff of the American Hockey League with the Moose late last season. He signed a two-way deal with the team this summer, and the Condors retained his ECHL rights. Derlago will drive to Bakersfield and is not expected for several days. His 39 goals last season was third-best in the ECHL and led all rookies.
* The Iowa Chops assigned two more players to the Condors on Tuesday -- forward Bobby Bolt and defenseman Andrew Thomas. Bolt (6 feet 3 inches, 219 pounds) is a third-year pro who spent most of last season in Augusta where he had 26 points in 62 games. Thomas (6-2, 202) is a rookie who was captain at the University of Denver as a senior last season.
