Chris VandeVelde
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Birthday:
1987-03-15 |
Position:
C |
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Eligible for draft:
2005 |
Shoots:
Left |
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Drafted:
2005 |
Height:
6-2 |
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Acquired:
4th round (97th overall), 2005 |
Weight:
204 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2004-05: Chris VandeVelde was a late bloomer for Moorhead, playing just two seasons on the varsity team, but was a major contributor in leading the Spuds to the state AA championship game. The North Dakota recruit led the Spuds in scoring with 67 points, was a Mr. Hockey finalist, and was named to the AP All-State second team. Finished his senior year by playing for Lincoln in the USHL.
2005-06: VandeVelde represented the USHL and USA at the 2006 Viking Cup in Camrose, AB. Finished the 2006 USHL playoffs with a loss to Cedar Rapids in the semi finals. Appeared at EDM's 2006 prospect camp in June.
2006-07: In VandeVelde’s first season with the University of North Dakota (WCHA), he potted three goals and nine points through 38 games. He took the Fighting Sioux’s Most Improved Player award for his work this season.
2007-08: VandeVelde’s second year with the Fighting Sioux (WCHA) resulted in 15 goals and 32 points (3rd on UND) through 43 games, career-high numbers for the center.
2008-09: A junior center at the University of North Dakota (WCHA), VandeVelde tallied a personal best 18 goals and 35 points through 43 games this season. His 69 penalty minutes were another career-high for the soon to be senior.
2009-10: VandeVelde was the leading scorer for North Dakota as a senior; scoring 16 goals with 25 assists in 42 games as the Fighting Sioux won the WCHA playoff title after finishing fourth in the league during the regular season. Vande Velde scored 7 of his 16 goals on the power play and was +4 with 22 PMs for the year. VandeVelde signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Edmonton in April 2010.
2010-11: VandeVelde made his NHL debut in March and appeared in 12 late-season games for the Oilers after skating for Edmonton's AHL affiliate Oklahoma City in his first pro season. VandeVelde had 2 assists and was -6 with 12 PMs while averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time during his stint with the Oilers. Vande Velde played 67 games for Oklahoma City and struggled for much of his first pro season, as indicated by his team-worst -17 plus/minus. After getting off to a slow start, however, he finished with 12 goals and 4 assists. VandeVelde skated in all six playoff games for the Barons and was +2 with 1 goal and 6 PMs.
2011-12: VandeVelde appeared in five late season games with Edmonton – scoring his first NHL goal against Columbus on March 12th – and was a valuable two-way forward for the Oilers AHL affiliate Oklahoma City in his second pro season. He averaged just under ten minutes of ice time in his five games with the Oilers and was plus-two with 2 penalty minutes. He scored 7 goals with 16 assists and was minus-four with 33 penalty minutes in 68 games for Oklahoma City. The Barons finished first in the West Division and reached the playoff semifinals. VandeVelde returned to the Barons for the AHL playoffs and scored a team-leading 6 goals and was plus-eight with 10 penalty minutes in 14 games. He was re-signed to a one-year contract by Edmonton in July 2012.
Talent Analysis
Vande Velde is strong skater who finds open ice, is very active in both ends of the rink, and is able to put the puck on net. Good at both ends of the ice, the offensive ability displayed in college hasn't followed him to the pros. A strong faceoff man, with solid defensive abilities, Vande Velde also brings a physical presence to the rink every night.
Future
Hopes were high coming off a very good NCAA career, however Vande Velde has struggled to make an impact at the AHL level and has to be considered a long shot for an NHL career at this point. Vande Velde is a good AHL support forward who can win faceoffs, kill penalties, and play a physical game, but his skillset just isn't high enough to rise above the AHL level.
