A key to the Milwaukee puzzle, Mark Van Guilder, is back with the Admirals for the 2012-2013 season after a signing an AHL contract today.
This will be the fourth full season for the popular forward, who posted career highs last season in goals (12), assists (15), points (27) and games played (70). The two-way specialist chipped in three game winners in 2011-2012 and posted a +8 rating. A couple of features I wrote over the last two seasons spelled out Van Guilder’s positive impact on Milwaukee. First a story on Van Guilder’s leadership on and off the ice. Second a story on MVG’s 2011 playoff heroics and his Kelly Cup run with Cincinnati.
This will be the first professional season for Andre Bouvet-Morrissette, who went undrafted by NHL teams. The 6-3 winger posted 39 goals and 33 assists for the Drummondville Voltigeurs last season, combined with 75 PIMs in 63 games. The Becancour, Quebec native added two more tallies in four playoff games. The AHL contract comes on the heals of news back in May that Bouvet-Morrissette had signed with Nashville, in what was thought at the time to be a preemptive move by the Predators to keep the prospect away from Montreal.
In addition Nashville recently announced the resigning of forward Mike Fisher (yesterday) and the signing of free agent defenseman Scott Hannan (last Friday). Fisher is back in the fold for two more years at $4.2 million per season. The 33-year-old Hannan will earn a $1 million, one-year/one-way deal to serve as another veteran on the Predators blueline.
So Roundtable . . . How would you like to welcome back Mark Van Guilder and what are your favorite MVG moments?
What do you think of the addition of Bouvet-Morrissette and what role do you see him playing in Milwaukee? Power forward, checker, fighter, scorer, or some sort of combination?
What do you think about Nashville’s addition of Scott Hannan? Does his addition shore up the Predators’ defensive depth chart?
Admirals Roundtable 
I like the Hannan signing. He was cheap and is a durable/reliable defenseman. Should help in terms of allowing a prospect get more playing time down here.
Bouvet-Morrissette sounds interesting. He could be a nice power forward if he can bring it in the AHL.
MVG for MVP! I agree with CreedFeed on the rest.
MVG is back? Start engraving the cup right now… :/
MVG is my MVP! He is Mr. Dependable and tends to always contribute despite how the team performs. He works his ass off and is pretty good in the faceoff dot. Glad he is on our team for another season he could be a pretty decent selection for team captain or at least an alternate. Come on let’s drop the puck!!!
I agree Creed on Hannan, though I wish this was him circa six years ago with San Jose. However, Hannan brings impressive durability for a No. 4 or 5 defender, which all coach Trotz will likely ask out of him. Since 2001-2002 he’s never played less than 78 games in a season.
Meanwhile, Jon hit the nail on the head for MVG. No player works harder and he’s a great example for younger players. He doesn’t score a lot of points, but the goals and assists Van Guilder does get tend to be in key situations. With Ford in Peoria I think he will be a top candidate for the Ads “C.”