From Canadiens.com (Stewart, Chipchura assigned to Hamilton):
The Canadiens announced Thursday that forwards Kyle Chipchura and Gregory Stewart have been assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.
Stewart was recalled from the Bulldogs on December 15, 2008. In three games with the Canadiens this season,the left-winger scored one point (1 assist), posted a plus-1 rating and averaged 9:38 of ice-time per game. The 22-year-old started the season with the Bulldogs, collecting 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) with a plus-5 rating and 131 penalty minutes in 40 AHL games.
Chipchura, 24, was recalled from the Bulldogs on January 1, 2009. This season, the centerman collected two points (2 assists), served five penalty minutes with an average time on ice per game of 10:50 in eight contests with the Canadiens. Chipchura, the Bulldogs team captain, scored 21 points (10 goals, 11 assist) and posted a plus-15 rating in 25 AHL games in 2008-09.
Habster:
Sadly, Kyle Chipchura is being passed on the depth chart by prospects like Matt D’Agostini, Max Pacioretty and even Gregory Stewart.
It’s not from a lack of trying on his part as the 24 year old former 2004 first round selection has proven himself to be a solid pro at the AHL level, especially this season with a very good start in Hamilton (GP-25 G- 10 A- 11 +15).
What is a bit disconcerting from a development point of view is that Chipchura has been in the AHL the past three years. I say “a bit” because there are other facts which should be considered: Canadiens depth at the forward position, NHL one way contract commitments and a fairly deep prospect player pool at the AHL level (Maxwell, Stewart, Pacioretty, D’Agostini, White and Desharnais….)
Another factor which has also kept Chipchura from making the NHL is his lack of foot speed. He was considered a fairly good skater during his junior days with the Prince Albert Raiders before his Achilles tendon was badly severed by a skate during the 2004-05 season. He has worked tremendously hard to improve his skating since the injury and has displayed a bit more quickness.
If “Chipper” doesn’t want to be labelled a career AHLer, then he must find a way to crack the Habs lineup next season. The opportunity will be there for the taking at next year’s training camp with 10 Habs potentially becoming UFAs at season’s end.
The Canadiens won’t re-signed Steve Begin and the likelihood of Robert Lang returning is also questionable so Chipchura has a slight opening to reach into and hopefully will grap an NHL roster.
He will have some competition from the above mentioned prospects but he does have the added advantage in the character/leadership (he was named captain of the Bulldogs this season) and maturity departments.
While Chipchura has struggled to find his niche in the NHL, Gregory Stewart has also had his hardships along the way.
The former Peterborough Petes forward has certainly come a long way in his development after being selected by the Canadiens in the 8th round (246th) of the 2004 draft (talk about a different path to the NHL by two 2004 prospects!!).
After playing the past two seasons with the Cincinnati Cyclone (ECHL) and the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL), Stewart has finally gotten the attention of the Canadiens with his constant hustle and gritty play. It also doesn’t hurt that he will drop the gloves ( Phil Oreskovic vs Greg Stewart) and defend his teammates and be effective doing it, unlike some Hab players!
If he can continue his slow steady progression, there’s no reason to believe he can’t be a good replacement for Steve Begin on the fourth line.
He definitely didn’t look out of place in his brief stint with the Canadiens the last few games so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Habs recalled him before they depart for their upcoming Florida road trip.