San Diego Gulls Who To Watch in 2021-2022

Alex Limoges

Starting with the forwards, let me get the obvious candidate out of the way. Limoges burst onto the scene with 21 points in 23 games last season – coming straight from his final year at Penn State where he finished with 22 points in 22 games and a Hobey Baker nomination.

He had 3 points in 2 preseason games but was held without a point in the regular season opener.

Missing BO Groulx might hurt his continued scoring dominance but I dont think it will do too much damage, I am confident in my prediction that Limoges will be the Gulls leading scorer by seasons end.

Limoges is going to be mandatory viewing for the San Diego Gulls Who To Watch cast of players.

Jacob Perreault

At just nineteen Perreault is in the fortunate situation of being able to start his pro-career earlier than anticipated. Having gotten a taste of the AHL during the OHL-closed-due-to-pandemic season he is able to play for the Gulls again this year thanks to the off-season agreement to allow those Junior players that played over twenty AHL games last season to come back.

Highly touted as a sniper in a goal-deprived Ducks system he will be expected to put the puck on the net and as often as possible. We have already seen in the season opener that he is dangerous given time and space – something the Reign penalty killers learned the hard way when his blast from the right circle beat Matthew Villalta for the Gulls opening score.

His game his a bit more abrasive than I think we were all expecting which worries me with regard to staying healthy but he is also a lot more mature than most kids his age also.

Brogan Rafferty

Signed as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, Rafferty lead the Utica defense in scoring and was fifth overall on the team with 45 points in 57 games in the 2019-2020 season. Last year he didnt see much if any game time at all thanks to being on the Canucks taxi squad for much of the season.

He had two goals through the Gulls two preseason games and had an assist on Perreaults Power Play marker in the season opener.

His ability to carry the puck and control the play in the offensive zone reminds me of Brandon Montour and he showed that ability on some plays in the season opener. Once he develops some chemistry with his new teammates he is going to give opposing teams nightmares in their zone.

Bryce Kindopp

Perhaps the most surprising change to start this season has been the switch from wing to center for the second year Alberta native. I did not see that coming at all.

But he has not looked out of place and if anything – looks more comfortable there. I did not have him pegged as a standout player this season – thinking he would be more of a supporting cast member – but moving to Center will allow for more opportunity, responsibility and ice time. If anything I would keep an eye on him as a San Diego Gulls Who To Watch prime candidate.

Kindopp already made a name for himself as reliable penalty killer last season but this year it looks like his offensive abilities will be the required skillset asked of him from Coach Bouchard.

Niklas Brouillard

Not a great start to the season as Brouillard found himself a victim of the over-crowded Gulls blueline in the first game but I can see the second year Gull having a big year.

We saw what he can do in transition and in the offensive zone as well as the energy he brings with the tenacity in his game last season. Now how will that translate across a full season at his natural position of defense?

If Bouillard can find some consistent ice time and prove himself to Bouchard I can see him clicking on the Power Play and contributing at five on five with his vision and play-making ability.

Axel Andersson

Quietly making a name for himself after largely being discredited as a throw-away part in the Ondrej Kase trade, Andersson is entering his first full year with the Gulls.

He had 5 points in 17 games last year – and looked good in the three game series against Bakersfield to close out the season. I had initial doubts about how he would handle the physical nature of the AHL but he appears to be doing just fine.

Look for him to join the rush on offense and use his reach to force turnovers in the neutral zone – both aspects of his game I have been most impressed with so far.