With the Bridgeport Islanders opening their season against the Providence Bruins on Saturday, it was Pierre Engvall who made headlines in the contest.
In his first game since clearing waivers last weekend, the forward scored a goal in his Bridgeport debut.
Engvall was on the finishing end of a nifty passing play with Hudson Fasching and Alex Jefferies.
Fasching sent the puck down the right wing to Jefferies, who found Engvall streaking to the net and threaded the needle for Bridgeport’s first goal of the season:
“Felt good to get the goal,” Engvall said postgame. “Good play from Fasch there, and then Jeff placed it into me and I just tried to redirect it, and it went in, so, yeah, felt good.”
After being acquired at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, Engvall’s first full season on Long Island was a difficult one.
He scored 10 goals with 18 assists for 28 points last season while sitting in the press box for a handful of games after signing a seven-year, $21 million contract last offseason.
Engvall was ultimately the last man off the NHL roster at training camp.
Following their final preseason game, the team placed Engvall on waivers, passing through without any takers before reporting to the AHL.
Bridgeport lost the season opener to Providence 3-2 and will return to action on Sunday against the Charlotte Checkers, the top farm club of the Florida Panthers.
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