Bryan Pitton Done?

by Jonathan Willis on Apr 18, 2009 1:42 AM MDT

This poster is from a promotion Stockton did earlier in the season; each Thunder player wore an Oilers jersey for two home games, jerseys that were subsequently auctioned off. The players pictured (left to right) are David Rohlfs, Bryan Pitton, and Garet Hunt. Bryan Pitton's career prospects have fallen off badly with a disappointing ECHL season.

Undrafted free agent Andrew Perugini passed him early in the season, but when Perugini went down with an injury midway through game one of the ECHL playoffs, Pitton had a chance to prove himself. He hung on to win in game one, but then faltered badly and lost games two and three.

With Perugini injured, the Falcons signed another undrafted free agent, Patrick Van Buskirk of the Kitchener Rangers, as an emergency backup to Pitton. Van Buskirk started and won in tonight's game, tying the series with the Ontario (Calif.) Reign up at two games a piece. He wasn't great, but he wasn't any worse than Pitton. It's his first professional season, but for the second time in three years Bryan Pitton has been a below-average goaltender. I think he's played his way out of the organization's plans.

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Now that we’re done with Pitton… Gustavsson? One can dream.

by raventalon40 on Apr 18, 2009 1:48 AM MDT reply actions

I don’t know what they do with Pitton, exactly. Presumably he ends up as the seldom used backup somewhere for the next two seasons while they patiently wait for him to drop off the 50-man roster. Unless of course he turns everything around.

It's only my opinion, but it's right.

Writer for The Copper & Blue, OilersNation, and CanucksArmy.

by Jonathan Willis on Apr 18, 2009 2:09 AM MDT reply actions

Scott

That’s pretty harsh treatment by the coach eh? He wants to win, so it makes sense and all but still… sign a goalie and a day later he’s your starter in the playoffs. Bryan Pitton is one very sad panda right about now. He’s got the Glenn Fisher role unless they can throw him in on a deal with another team. Van Buskirk is not an NHL contract by the sounds of things, so that’s a plus I guess. Bad timing for your man getting injured too. A good run could have really stabilized him as a real prospect in the organization.

by Scott Reynolds on Apr 18, 2009 8:58 AM MDT reply actions

One thing I don’t understand is how this doesn’t fall under emergency circumstances? I would’ve thought Stockton could call up Dubnyk from the AHL in order to fulfill their goaltending needs, before signing Van Buskirk.

by raventalon40 on Apr 18, 2009 1:54 PM MDT reply actions

There are roster rules/regulations

Kelly Cup Playoff guidelines

Perugini was at the after party and didn’t appear to be limping. Now that the series is tied, there may be a chance he gets another start – unless they opt to air on the side of caution and roll with Van Buskirk.

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Apr 18, 2009 3:21 PM MDT reply actions

Pitton Done?

Andrew Perugini has played beyond expectations at Stockton this year. I hope he gets back into the playoffs to solidify his position as a prospect—maybe the only Oilers’ prospect on the Stockton roster.

by janitor on Apr 18, 2009 9:04 PM MDT reply actions

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Northwest Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	54	34	15	5	73
Colorado Mile High Hockey	56	28	25	3	59
Minnesota Hockey Wilderness	54	25	21	8	58
Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	55	25	22	8	58
Edmonton The Copper & Blue	54	21	28	5	47

(updated 2.11.2012 at 6:02 AM MST)

21 - 28 - 5

Streak: Lost 2

Oilers Schedule

Next 5 Games

@ Ottawa Silver Seven	Sat 02/11	12:00 PM MST
Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Wed 02/15	8:00 PM MST
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Fri 02/17	7:30 PM MST
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Sun 02/19	7:00 PM MST
@ Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	Tue 02/21	7:00 PM MST

Last 5 Games

@ Detroit Winging It In Motown	Wed 02/08	L 2 - 4
@ Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Mon 02/06	L 3 - 6
Detroit Winging It In Motown	Sat 02/04	SO - W 5 - 4
Chicago Second City Hockey	Thu 02/02	W 8 - 4
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Tue 01/31	W 3 - 2