Rob Klinkhammer

Klinkhammer quickly became a fan favorite in the desert last season, not only for having one of the best names in hockey, but also for the spark he gave the Coyotes whenever he hit the ice. Klink notched his first NHL goal in his first NHL game en route to a contract and an 11-point season. He averaged half-a-point per game last season, but it's hard to know if he can maintain that pace over a full season. Still, he should see a considerable amount of ice time as his team looks for a boost at left wing.

Klinkhammer notched 35 points, including 12 goals, with Ottawa's AHL affiliate in 2011-12 and saw time in 15 games with the Senators, tallying two assists. He'll likely spend most of the season with Portland.

Klinkhammer was a major contributor with AHL Rockford last season, scoring 17 goals and assisting on 29 in 76 games. He also turned in a very respectable plus-14 rating. The left winger went undrafted and played four seasons in the AHL before making his NHL debut last season for one game. He will need a big preseason to win a spot on the regular-season roster.

Klinkhammer will start the new season at Rockford of the AHL. For the 24-year-old forward this will be the third season at Rockford. Last season, he scored 10 goals and registered 14 assists in 72 games for the IceHogs. Overall, this is the fourth season for Klinkhammer in the AHL.

Klinkhammer was assigned to Rockford of the AHL on Sept. 21. Klinkhammer looks to build on a sophomore campaign in ’08-09 in which he tallied 15 goals and 18 assists in 76 games.