by Jason Karnosky | AHL On The Beat
The Milwaukee Admirals characteristic a game-breaker on offense this season.
Vinnie Hinostroza is the kind of participant who can change a recreation along with his velocity or his shot, or by making an unattainable cross. He additionally occurs to be main the American Hockey League in scoring 1 / 4 of the way in which by the 2024-25 season.
“As a result of Vinnie makes so many performs, he’s the type of man that makes different gamers higher and the entire crew higher,” Admirals teammate Cal O’Reilly mentioned. “He’s so inventive, particularly on the ability play. He’s been a pleasant addition for us.”
With Hinostroza in tow, the Admirals misplaced their first recreation of 2024-25 earlier than rattling off eight straight wins to carry the AHL’s prime spot by October. The Tenth-year professional had factors in every of these victories, and had a nine-game level streak that lasted till Nov. 9.
“I wish to assist my crew win, and I used to be undoubtedly scorching there within the early going,” mentioned Hinostroza, who’s now tied for the league lead with 28 factors in 21 contests. “The previous few video games have been slightly slower than my begin, however I’ve been attempting to get again to that.”
Hinostroza has factors in 17 of Milwaukee’s 21 video games this season. His standout efficiency got here on Oct. 18 towards Rockford, the place he scored a objective and added three assists because the Admirals beat the IceHogs, 6-3.
“Vinnie is like an engine on the market at occasions,” Admirals coach Karl Taylor mentioned. “He’s only a buzzsaw, and he can actually skate.”
After a 12 months within the Pittsburgh Penguins group, Hinostroza got here to the Cream Metropolis in search of an opportunity to proceed his profession and play for a profitable group.
“You take a look at all of the success that they’ve had right here in Milwaukee over time, that was very appetizing for myself and my household,” Hinostroza mentioned. “Who doesn’t wish to win and to be a part of a superb crew?”
Enjoying in Southeast Wisconsin got here with an added perk of being near house for the Chicago native.
“It’s been unreal for our household, taking part in right here in Milwaukee,” Hinostroza mentioned. “I’ve in a position to be at house, preserve the children at school, and commute right here. We’ve been in a position to preserve our household in the identical place.”
Taylor appreciates the chance to educate a participant with intensive Nationwide Hockey League expertise.
“It’s been practically 400 video games that this younger man has performed within the NHL,” Taylor mentioned. “Vinnie needed to go to a different group the place he may very well be nearer to house. We’re very excited to have him, and his household, be a part of what we’re doing right here. (Plus) he’s been exhibiting some nice management on our bench.”
Up to now Hinostroza has produced 54 objectives and 151 factors in 374 video games at hockey’s highest degree. Initially drafted within the sixth spherical by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012, the 5-foot-10-inch ahead joined his hometown crew after two years of school hockey on the College of Notre Dame.
When he first turned professional, he cut up time between Rockford and Chicago, moving into 106 NHL video games with the Blackhawks from 2015-18. Following his time in Chicago, Hinostroza moved on to stints with Arizona, the place he posted a 16-goal and 39-point marketing campaign in 2018-19, and later Florida. That was adopted by a second tour in Chicago, and two seasons of primarily taking part in NHL hockey in Buffalo (2021-23).
Final 12 months the journeyman cut up time between Pittsburgh (14 video games) and the AHL’s Wilkes/Barre Scranton Penguins (42 video games). With that spectacular NHL pedigree, Hinostroza is definitely a participant that Nashville is maintaining a tally of for future name ups.
“From my standpoint the way in which Vinnie is taking part in, he needs to be taking part in within the NHL as a result of he’s too good for this degree,” O’Reilly mentioned. “He’s a heck of a participant and we’re so lucky to have him due to his scoring and his management.”
Hinostroza is driving Milwaukee’s offense this season. Round Thanksgiving the elusive ahead scored three objectives in 4 video games and had one other four-point effort in a 6-5 loss at Cleveland on November 24.
He has discovered chemistry with lots of his youthful teammates, together with his normal linemate Reid Schaefer, a second-year energy ahead who performs a very totally different fashion of recreation.
“Vinnie is definitely an NHL-caliber participant, so it’s enjoyable taking part in with him,” Schaefer mentioned. “He’s a pass-first type of man and performs the sport actually quick. If I get him the puck, I do know he’s going to seek out me.”
Milwaukee has a strong monitor file of giving older gamers one other alternative to earn their approach again to the NHL. Fellow veterans like Jarred Tinordi, Colin Blackwell, Rocco Grimaldi and Mark Jankowski are just some of the gamers who’ve earned prolonged stints within the NHL after spending time in Milwaukee over the previous few seasons.
Defenseman Nick Blankenburg was the newest skater to take that path again to the NHL, transferring as much as Nashville after 13 video games in Milwaukee this season. Hinostroza stands out as the subsequent in line.
“We’ve actually loved having Vinnie,” Taylor mentioned. “For the way lengthy we’re going to have him, who is aware of, particularly if he retains taking part in the way in which he has been. Hopefully he will get the whole lot he desires out of this season.”
For now, Hinostroza is attempting to assist Milwaukee get again to taking part in the type of hockey that led to such a quick begin.
