Mike Brodeur(29) Houston Aeros

For the first time in his 8-year pro career, goaltender Mike Brodeur(29) didn’t sign a contract to play with a team  for the 2011/2012 season.

This is after two seasons in the Ottawa Senators‘ system, where he appeared in 7 games from 2009-2011. Last season he appeared in NHL, AHL and ECHL games.

Then seemingly out of nowhere, he signs a pto 3 weeks before the end of regular season with Houston Aeros and finds himself to be the back-up but would come in to relieve an injured Matt Hackett in each of the first two games AHL Calder Cup Playoffs and got the call to start game 3 backstopping 31 shots for the 1-0 win to put them back in the series.

Aeros did get bounced from the Calder Cup Playoffs by Oklahoma City Barons on Tuesday night.

Originally a Chicago Blackhawks‘ 7th round pick in the 2003 draft (#211 overall), it’s a wonder where the 29-year old will end up next season.  We wouldn’t be surprised to see him go the Europe route.

Kris Newbury(11) Connecticut Whale

9th year pro, the tough-as-nails center, Kris Newbury(11) is in the second year of his contract extension he signed with New York Rangers in 2010 and started of the new season with their AHL affiliate Connecticut Whale with his second career hat trick.

He’s played games in the NHL in each of the last five seasons (59 games, 4 goals and 4 assists). While those totals aren’t anything to keep him up in the show, he’s still an effective agitator.

Maybe not the biggest guy on the ice (5’10″ 205 lbs.), he’s one guy that it’s never any fun to tangle with.

Kris Newbury was recalled by New York Rangers 10/16.

Mike Sgroi(17) Evansville Icemen / Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Central Hockey League‘s newest team, Evansville Icemen recently signed 6’5″ 235lbs of grit in Mike Sgroi(17) for the upcoming season.

A 12-year veteran, he usually finds himself playing for multiple minor league teams each season, either with call-ups or trades for his services. In 2008-2009, he played games for no less than 6 teams in the AHL and ECHL (Syracuse Crunch, Binghamton Senators, Norfolk Admirals, Johnstown Chiefs, Utah Grizzlies, Elmira Jackals).

Last season, seeming out of nowhere, he signed a pto with Bridgeport Sound Tigers and appeared in a couple of games at the end of the season registering no points and more surprisingly no penalty minutes.