Former player returns to Moose

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This article was published 23/09/2019 (2267 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the Winnipeg Jets and their regime took over the Atlanta Thrashers franchise, they had to do their homework on the pool of prospects they’d be working with.

One of the names on the list was forward John Albert, who Atlanta selected in the sixth round, 175th overall, in the 2007 NHL draft.

Albert had finished four years of college hockey at Ohio State and was looking to make his jump to the pro game in 2011 — the year the organization became the Winnipeg Jets.

“Obviously, when you get drafted by a team, you hope that out of college you can sign with them and work your way up,” Albert said after the first day of Manitoba Moose training camp on Monday. “And I remember my agent called me and he was like ‘Yeah, (the Jets) really don’t know anything about you. So, just go into camp, try to work hard and make the American (Hockey) League team.’ I remember my second day of camp. I called my dad and was like ‘Oh my God. These guys are good. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to make this team.’”

Albert’s doubts were all for nothing. He ended up impressing his new bosses enough to make the Jets’ AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps at the time, that year. In fact, he stuck around for the next five seasons, playing 283 games with the IceCaps and Moose, scoring 68 goals and adding 87 assists.

He also got the call-up to the Jets during the 2013-14 campaign and appeared in nine games. One day after Albert was promoted to the big club, he beat New York Rangers goalie Cam Talbot at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 2, 2013, for his first, and only, NHL goal.

“I just thank this organization so much for giving me the opportunity,” said Albert, who has a plaque with the puck and scoresheet from the game displayed in his parents’ living room. “Obviously Madison Square Garden, first shot on goal, my parents and one of my best buddies were there, so it was a great experience for me. I’ll obviously always remember that.”

Now 30, Albert is back in Winnipeg on a professional tryout with the Moose after three years removed from the organization. The Cleveland native left the Moose after the 2015-16 season to play for Karpat of the Finnish Elite League.

In 2017-18, Albert was back in the AHL and split the season between the Hershey Bears and Hartford Wolf Pack. However, Albert had a setback last year in the German Ice Hockey League with Grizzlys Wolfsburg. He suffered a serious ankle injury in the pre-season and was out of action for the year.

Albert is looking to get his career back on track and he believes suiting up for the Moose again is the perfect way to do so.

“I was so pumped to come here, so excited,” said Albert, who captained the Moose in the 2015-16 season. “Especially the hockey aspect of it, super excited to start the competition, hit somebody, get hit, you know, just feel the competitive spirit. And then on the other side of that, being with this organization for five years, being so familiar with everybody with all the surroundings and everything like that, it’s a great opportunity for me.”

Albert credited longtime Moose general manager Craig Heisinger as the main reason for his return.

“I have been lucky enough to have him on my side. I mean, obviously he’s not doing me favours or anything like that. I’ve worked for it and I think my professional career has shown that. But I think he respects the way I work and I respect him,” Albert said.

“The relationship has grown over the years. On the ice, off the ice, the little things here and there, I think it all adds up. I’ve always tried to keep in touch with everybody in the organization. I think it just goes back to the respect thing. Obviously it’s way nicer to work for someone you respect and know has your back.”

Albert is one of 11 players who’ve been invited to training camp on a tryout basis. The only other invitee with NHL experience is Brandon native Ryan White, who was with the Moose last year and played in 27 games.

Moose head coach Pascal Vincent was asked why the club wanted to take a look at Albert.

“He competes really hard. A great example. He’s got tremendous leadership skills,” Vincent said. “We know him. Craig Heisinger knows him even more. But he’s a guy, Ryan White, Johnny Albert, all those guys (are) character people. People with good values, we’re looking for those kinds of people. So when I found out Craig Heisinger was going to invite him, I was really excited cause just his presence around the team is a bonus.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31