While the Anaheim Ducks are golfing and rehabbing injuries, the young kids on the Gulls are doing their best to bring a Calder Cup to San Diego and they might be getting a major addition before the 2nd round begins.
San Diego is currently sitting in wait for their second-round playoff matchup against the Bakersfield Condors to kick off on Friday, May 3rd, following an impressive first-round victory over the San Jose Barracuda in 4 games. The story heading into the second round is that highly touted Anaheim Ducks prospect and early season hot-topic, Maxime Comtois, could be joining the Gulls for their 2nd round playoff matchup.
While adding another highly skilled forward to their dynamic AHL roster could give them a much-needed edge over their opponent, they might really need it with Max Jones going down with an injury in the series-clinching game and very few details surrounding his status heading into round 2.
Maxime Comtois wrapped up his junior career with his Drummondville Voltigeurs, suffering a disappointing loss to the Halifax Mooseheads in 6 games in the playoffs, while his best friend and fellow Ducks prospect Antoine Morand, as well as the 2nd round pick of the Ducks last season Benoit-Olivier Groulx, move on. While Comtois’ junior career is now over, he is eligible to play in the AHL playoffs.
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Comtois leaves juniors finishing 9th on the Volts in points, but it’s incredibly important to point out that the 8 players ahead of him all played a minimum of 53 games while Comtois only played 25 due to his early season stint with the NHL club, and the injury that cost him a bit of time. Comtois finished with 48 points, 31 goals, and 17 assists in those 25 games leading the team with a 1.92 points per game rating.
With uncertainty surrounding Jones it’s possible we see Comtois line up with Sam Steel and Kiefer Sherwood as the second round commences, or if Jones is good to go the Gulls might shake things up a bit with Matthew Berry possibly drawing out and Comtois drawing in.
Whether he plays or not it is always a good thing to get Comtois more acclimated with players in the Ducks organization, whether that is in practice or during the games. He is likely a key piece for the Ducks moving forward, and with the potential of Gulls coach Dallas Eakins being promoted to Anaheim Ducks coach next season, Comtois gets a chance to make a name for himself and make himself a go-to guy for Eakins.
The San Diego Gulls 2nd round begins on Friday, May 3rd at 7:00 PM against the Bakersfield Condors, the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers.