This isn’t the most surprising of roster moves given how the Milwaukee Admirals games this weekend played out. The Admirals team captain Colton Sissons has been recalled by the Nashville Predators ahead of their upcoming four-game road trip in Western Canada. Sissons was a healthy scratch for the Admirals in both games this weekend as a preventative measure with this move in mind.
Press Release via Nashville Predators:
Nashville, Tenn. (March 7, 2016) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Monday that the club has recalled forward Colton Sissons from Milwaukee (AHL).
Sissons, 22 (11/5/93), has appeared in 19 games for the Predators in 2015-16, notching a pair of points (1g-1a) and a 59 percent success rate in the face-off circle, best among all NHLers taking at least 100 draws. He has also served as the youngest captain in Milwaukee Admirals history this season, amassing 19 points (8g-11a) in 38 games. Now in his third professional season, the North Vancouver, B.C., native has six points (2g-4a) in 36 career NHL games.
The Nashville Predators will look to extend their franchise-record point streak to 13 games on Tuesday night when they play the Winnipeg Jets at 7 p.m. (TV: FOX Sports Tennessee; Radio: 102.5 The Game). The team is on the second game of a five-game road trip that sees them playing the Colorado Avalanche (5-2 win on Saturday), Winnipeg Jets (Tuesday), Calgary Flames (Wednesday), Vancouver Canucks (Saturday) and Edmonton Oilers (March 14). The team returns to Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, March 17 against the New York Islanders, when fans can take advantage of the team’s March to the Playoffs ticket plan. Through the Johansen or Neal pack, fans can buy three games and get a complimentary fourth game, saving up to 40 percent off of the gate rate. For more information click here or call 615-770-7800.
Sissons has played 19 games at the NHL level with the Predators this season. During that time he has produced 2 points (1 goal, 1 assists) while going 58.5% in face-off dot. That last stat is an important one because the man Sissons is likely going up to fill in for is Paul Gaustad whom missed a decent chunk of the Predators last game.
Since Sissons last time up with the Predators he has logged 26 games with the Admirals and has 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists). I had given him the nod for Admirals Roundtable’s Admiral of the Month award for his contributions in February due to his high level work rate and raising the performances of those playing alongside of him. He’s been sharp. So he rejoined the Predators at a great time for not only that team but for himself personally. Sissons is a British Columbia native so this upcoming road swing for the Predators is ideal for him. Should he remain up with the team long enough I’d expect a good family contingent for the game against the Vancouver Canucks this coming Saturday.
UPDATE: In a fun uniform related note, Sissons has officially ditched rookie numeral of #84 and been given the #10 to wear for the Predators. I assume this comes as added reward considering the Predators recently penned the Admirals captain to a new three-year contract two weeks ago.
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Also a number change. He’s going to were #10.
Do they pick their numbers or are they assigned by the team? What would be the reason for switching, especially in the middle of the season? Just curious.
FITF: I think most players in the Preds system get shafted with rookie numbers. Salomaki was 67. Bitetto was 83. Watson was hilariously 52 despite his number being 51. It’s as if they force players to earn their numbers. So, Sissons lands that three-year contract and now -first recall back up since that happened- he gets his choice of an NHL number. Not all teams do it this way. I’d rather players just have their own choice of number right away rather than “have to earn it” when they already have to earn an spot to get on that NHL roster in the first place. Why make NHL debuts or early stints look stupid for the sake of having to earn your number too?
That is strange. I guess I never paid that much attention to it as I never really read the expressly about a player changing their number on the Preds. I definitely had never heard of “rookie” numbers before. I just always assumed the players picked their numbers since it’s not like there are 98 players on an active roster.