ALT HOPING TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT WITH AMERKS
Mar 30, 2022By Suzie Cool
As the American Hockey League trade deadline neared, the Rochester Americans knew that some moves were inevitably needed.
Since the turn of the New Year, the Amerks have been struggling with an influx of injuries, players getting called up to the Buffalo Sabres and newcomers getting thrown right into the lineup on the day of games. All the while finding ways to snag points in 22 of their 37 games since the start of 2022 despite the roster struggles that they’ve seen at moments.
With the last month of the regular season right around the corner, a lot of the players that have faced injury are finally making their way back to the lineup. However, the return of players like forwards Michael Mersch, Ryan MacInnis, Sean Malone and more don’t exactly add to the defensive skillset that the Amerks are in blatant need of.
WATCH: MARK ALT FOLLOWING MORNING SKATE
“We just felt we were a little inexperienced back there and we’re probably a little small back there right now. We needed to look and try to add some experience, some size and maybe a stabilizing presence on the blue line,” stated Amerks head coach Seth Appert when asked what went into the decisions made at the deadline.
Defensemen Casey Fitzgerald and Mattias Samuelsson have went on to play a majority of the season with the Sabres, leaving ample responsibility for the veterans like Jimmy Schuldt and Ethan Prow to pick up in their absence. As defenseman Brandon Davidson missed a three-month period earlier in the season, he’d return to the lineup for 15 games before finding himself sidelined once again – but this time with a season-ending injury.
Therefore, the gap on the blue line was still apparent, leaving a lot of fans wondering how the Amerks were going to matchup against teams defensively. Especially while sitting in a holding pattern, waiting for players like Fitzgerald and Samuelsson to be reassigned to the club in hopes that Rochester does indeed go on that playoff run everyone is so hopeful for.
Say hello to No. 3 👋
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) March 30, 2022
Welcome to Rochester, Mark Alt! pic.twitter.com/qeI0Kiw2Cl
So, the Amerks knew the moves they needed to make at the deadline, albeit difficult for what they had to give up. On Monday, Amerks general manager Jason Karmanos announced that the team acquired veteran defenseman Mark Alt from the San Jose Barracuda in exchange for forward Mason Jobst.
“You have to give up something that they want, and Jobst is a heck of a hockey player that’s going to be missed in the room,” said Appert when asked about if the move was made for the betterment of the end of the season or the future of the franchise. “The guys were torn up about it, he was torn up about it. We have a good culture here and the guys care about each other and these are hard decisions.”
With the unfortunate loss of Jobst, the Amerks were able to pick up Alt. A native of St. Paul, Minn., Alt has appeared in 451 American Hockey League games with the Barracuda, Ontario Reign, Colorado Eagles and Lehigh Valley/Adirondack Phantoms, totaling 125 points on 33 goals and 92 assists while also appearing in 20 NHL contests with the Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche and Philadelphia Flyers.
“We know that we’re getting a very good player with 400 plus American Hockey League games and 20 NHL games,” commented Appert when asked about the addition of Alt to the roster “We’re also getting a great human being. I know a lot of people that know this young man. I watched him play high school hockey in Minnesota, coached against him when he was at Minnesota. His character is off the charts high, his leadership is high, competitiveness is high. We feel good about not only the player, but the person we’re bringing in.”
Prior to turning pro, the 6-foot-4, 201-pound blueliner played three seasons at the University of Minnesota, where he amassed 39 points on seven goals and 32 assists in 117 career games with the Gophers. Alt was a second-round selection (53rd overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2010 NHL Draft.
This season with San Jose, Alt appeared in 46 games while recording eight points on three goals and five assists.
Alt mentioned how he’s looking forward to bringing more of a veteran presence, and his stay-at-home style, to the blue line.
“I think a little bit of veteran leadership. I’ve been through it a time or two. So, just come in and do what I’ve done.” Alt then added, “I’m a stay-at-home defenseman, I’ll hopefully block some shots and play my game.”
Additionally, Alt is just excited to join a team that he feels he can help reach the postseason.
WATCH: SETH APPERT AFTER TUESDAY'S PRACTICE
“I was looking for an opportunity. I was really happy to land here and I’m just ready to get to work. I think the biggest thing is just the opportunity to play meaningful games and make a playoff push. This team is in a tight spot and to just be a part of these games and be on a team that’s fighting to make the playoffs – I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Appert and staff know the caliber of player that they got in Alt, making it all the more exciting to be able to target him and acquire the veteran at such a critical point in the season.
“Right now, we don’t have as much length and size on our blue line to consistently end plays. So, he’s a strong defender, he’s a penalty kill guy. He’s a really good penalty killer, he’s a shot blocker, he’s a competitor, he adds physical presence and he’s a six foot four, rangy athletic defenseman.”
Appert then finished with, “Those guys are hard to find, especially right shot ones, so we were pleased we were able to target him.”