Austin Madaisky

History

2008-09: In his WHL rookie season, Austin Madaisky, a first round pick of the Calgary Hitmen at the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft, played in 48 games for the Hitmen.  He scored 2 goals and added 7 assists for 9 points.  Madaisky registered no points in 2 playoff games for the Hitmen.

2009-10: Madaisky began the season with the Calgary Hitmen, playing in 39 games for that team.  He scored 5 goals and added 13 assists for 18 points.  Madaisky was traded to the Kamloops Blazers, appearing in 26 games for the Blazers.  He scored 2 goals and added 7 assists for 9 points, giving his a total of 7 goals and 22 assists for 27 points on the season.  In four playoff games for the Blazers, Madaisky scored 3 goals and added 3 assists for 6 points.  He played for Team Cherry at the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game.

2010-11: Madaisky was the second-leading scorer among defensemen for Kamloops in his first full season with the club despite missing nineteen games after suffering a season-ending neck injury in February. In his third WHL season he skated in 55 games and scored 7 goals with 20 assists. Madaisky had the third-most penalty minutes on the Blazers (104) and was minus-15 on a Kamloops team that finished last in its division and won just 29 games.

2011-12: In his final year in the WHL he was the assistant captain of the Kamploops Blazers, for the second straight season, and recorded career highs in both goals (13) and assists (37). He had seven points in 9 playoff games.

2012-13: Madaisky had a tough first season in pro hockey but finished the year on an up note – skating in six games for Columbus AHL affiliate Springfield in April. He had no points and was plus-1 with 2 penalty minutes for the Falcons. Springfield finished first in the Northeast Division and reached the second round but Madaisky did not play in the playoffs. Originally with the Falcons rather than returning to juniors for an over-age season, Madaisky could not crack the lineup due to the NHL lockout and was loaned to ECHL Evansville. He suffered a wrist injury in his eighth game with the Icemen in November that required surgery and he missed four months. In 11 ECHL games he scored 2 goals with 4 assists and was minus-6 with 29 penalty minutes.

2013-14: Madaisky was part of a crowded defense corps for Columbus AHL affiliate Springfield in his second pro season — appearing in 38 regular season games for the Falcons and playing eight games with the Evansville Icemen in the ECHL. He scored 4 goals with 4 assists and was plus-3 with 10 penalty minutes with Springfield. Madaisky did not appear in any playoff games in the Falcons’ first round series with Providence. In eight games for Evansville he had 2 assists and was minus-8 with no penalties. 

Talent Analysis

Madaisky is an offense-oriented defenseman who put up both offensive numbers and penalty minutes during his junior career. Slowed by injuries in his first pro season he has started to emerge as the playmaker his WHL career suggested he could be at the pro level. His defensive game is still maturing but he has made strides in that area. Capable of scoring at the AHL level he must continue to improve if he is to have an opportunity to play a full-time role in the NHL in the future.

Future

Madaisky was placed on unconditional waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 3rd, being released from his contract. He signed a contract to play with the Straubing Tigers in Germany for the 2015-16 season the next day. Madaisky played a strong two-way game at the AHL level after overcoming his injuries. Whether he can one day be an effective lower pairing defender at the NHL level or remains in Europe remains to be seen.