Islanders Sign Munroe, Reich and Brett Westgarth

[nyislesfan45]

The New York Islanders agreed to terms with three players on Thursday. Goaltender Scott Munroe, left wing Jeremy Reich and defenseman Brett Westgarth all have signed one-year, two-way contracts.

Munroe, an undrafted goalie from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, has been a part of the Philadelphia Flyers organization for the past four seasons. He received his first call-up to the National Hockey League last year with the Flyers. The 27-year-old net-minder posted a career year last season with a record of 31-19-0-4, a save percentage of .926 and four shutouts. Munroe led the Phantoms to the Calder Cup Playoffs in each of the past two seasons. During the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs, Munroe made 65 saves in a five overtime contest against the Albany River Rats to earn the victory in the longest game in American Hockey League history.

Reich has played in a total of 99 NHL games scoring two goals and four assists while compiling 161 penalty minutes. The Craik, Saskatchewan, native has been a part of the Boston Bruins organization for the past three years and played under Islanders head coach Scott Gordon his first two seasons with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. Last season, the 6’1, 196 pound left wing, served as the team captain of Providence, setting single-season career high numbers of 21 goals and 13 assists for 34 points in 76 games. Reich was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round (39th overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

Westgarth played the last three seasons in the AHL. Last year, the 6’2, 215 pound defenseman played for the Worcester Sharks, AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, scoring nine points (2 goals and 7 assists) while totaling 137 penalty minutes. Westgarth, a native of Amhertsburg, ON, is a Princeton University graduate who skated for the Tigers from 2002-2007 where he compiled four goals and 20 assists for 24 points.

[flyersrule]

bye bye bitch. its too bad he could never succeed at the NHL level cause we couldve used him. oh well

[Isles4life]

I'm not thrilled with this signing. The Sound Tigers already have Nathan Lawson, and that behemoth goalie from Finland might be coming over too. He might have played very well for the Phantoms, but I was hoping for a #3 with at least some NHL experience because given DiPietro's history and Roloson's age, he'll inevitably have to play quite a few games.

[BStreetBullies]

Deceiving title for this thread, WTF is Brett Westgarth?

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by BStreetBullies

Deceiving title for this thread, WTF is Brett Westgarth?

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that said "what the **** is a Brett Westgarth?"

[ShelleyFan45]

Hopefully Reich and Westgarth make the team and add some muscle to the Isles.

[caps05]

Originally Posted by BStreetBullies

Deceiving title for this thread, WTF is Brett Westgarth?

Originally Posted by jkidd

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that said "what the **** is a Brett Westgarth?"

He's the brother of Kevin Westgarth, who was called up for a few games by the Kings last season.

They're both tough and smart too, as they're both graduates of Princeton.

Brett played in Worcester (Sharks affiliate) last year, after starting in the IHL the year before.

[ShelleyFan45]

Brett is a physical defenseman that fights. IIRC he had about 15 fights in the AHL last season. Not bad for a dman.

[dumby]

Originally Posted by BStreetBullies

Deceiving title for this thread, WTF is Brett Westgarth?

he's a mean a$$ d man with something to prove. good signing.

[ScottRasner]

Originally Posted by BStreetBullies

Deceiving title for this thread, WTF is Brett Westgarth?

Well he sure got me too, I thought it was good ol Kevin Westgarth

Eh well, you both get thanks from me

[5forfighting]

Originally Posted by BStreetBullies

Deceiving title for this thread, WTF is Brett Westgarth?

He, along with Reich, will be good punching bags for Justin Soryal during the pre-season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8HGe...layer_embedded

[Isles4life]

I do like the fact that the Islanders signed some grit in Reich and Brett (not as exciting as Kevin) Westgarth for minor league depth. I am a big Reich fan from what I saw of him with Boston. But in reality, neither of these guys will make the NHL team. We're all still waiting for them to address the enforcer issue.

[bigjohnson]

Westgarth and Reich will make B-Port tougher.

[caps05]

What's the deal with Rechlicz and Fritz's contracts? Are they still under contract for 2009-10?

[blackngold]

Damn. I loved Jeremy Reich in the organization. He was the perfect captain for the young team we had in Providence last season.
He'll be missed.

Brett Westgarth is a MW/LHW dman who plays with a snarl. Two good signings for organizational depth by the Isles.