2 days ago
Former Habs Prospect Moves From Finland To Germany
Canadian center Peter Abbandonato, 27, has signed a one-year contract with ERC Ingolstadt, the DEL club announced on Monday.
Last season, his first playing in Europe, Abbandonato led Finnish Liiga club Jukurit with 51 points in 61 games.
'Peter has already impressed in the minor leagues in North America and has also showcased his skills in his first season in Europe,' said Ingolstadt sports director Tim Regan. 'He has a good understanding of the game and strong skating skills. He is primarily used as a center, but can also play on the wings, which gives us even more versatility.'
'I'd been in contact with Tim for some time, and we had very good discussions; however, the opportunity to return to the AHL also presented itself,' said Abbandonato. 'Ultimately, it was important to me to carefully consider my options and make the best decision. After intensive discussions, I chose Ingolstadt, because I think the conditions here are right for success.'
Born in Laval, Que., Abbandonato played junior hockey for the QMJHL's Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and took part in two Memorial Cups. In 2018-19, he recorded 111 points in 68 regular-season games, followed by 32 points in 21 post-season games as the Huskies won the Memorial Cup.
Undrafted, Abbandonato has spent the past five seasons in the minor-league systems of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins. He has recorded 123 points in 214 AHL games and 51 points in 49 ECHL games.
Abbandonato's 6-Point Game Gives Jukurit Lead In Finnish Playout Series With just 12 regulation wins in 60 games, Jukurit Mikkeli finished last in the 16-team Finnish Liiga. The team is now in the midst of a best-of-seven playout series with the 15th-place Lahti Pelicans, with the loser facing a relegation series against the winner of the second-tier Mestis.
Highlights of Abbandonato's season in Finland included a four-point effort in the team's season-opening 7-3 victory and a six-point game in a play-out series against the Lahti Pelicans, in which Jukurit successfully avoided relegation.
'First and foremost, I would describe myself as an offensive playmaker, but it's also important to me to be a reliable player in all zones,' Abbandonato described.
He joins an Ingolstadt team that finished first in last year's DEL regular season but was eliminated by Kölner Haie in the semifinals. Thanks to that first-place finish, however, Ingolstadt has qualified for the Champions Hockey League in 2025-26.
The team's roster also includes ex-NHLers Riley Barber, Kenny Agostino and Morgan Ellis.
Photo © Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Ex-Hab, Canadian Olympian Signs Contract Extension In Germany ERC Ingolstadt finished first in the DEL regular season and, with the playoffs about to start,
announced on Friday that an important piece of this year's team will be returning in 2025-26, in the form of Canadian defenseman Morgan Ellis.
