ALUMNI REPORT: Zmolek makes AHL Debut, Rueschhoff and Sogaard Each off to a Strong Start

Nov 9, 2021

In this edition of the Austin Bruins Alumni Report, we set our eyes on the AHL and 3 former Bruins who are making their mark at the professional level.

 

First, let’s head down to Des Moines, Iowa where Riese Zmolek (2014-15) made his AHL debut for the Iowa Wild. Zmolek signed a one-year, two-way AHL contract with the Wild on Jul. 27, 2021. Out of training camp, Zmolek was assigned to the Iowa Heartlanders of the ECHL, where he has appeared in 3 games, and a plus-1 rating. Zmolek’s first game for the Iowa Wild came on October 30th against the Manitoba Moose in Winnipeg, MB where Zmolek finished the game with a -1 rating. Riese has appeared in two games so far for the Iowa Wild and was recently reassigned to the Heartlanders.

From Iowa, we head north of the Border to Belleville, ONT to check in with former Bruins standout goalie, Mads Sogaard (2017-18). Sogaard was drafted in the 2nd rd (37th overall) by the Ottawa Senators in the 2019 draft, and this season has found himself in Belleville with Senators of the AHL. Sogaard is 2-2-0 on the season is sporting a 3.67 GAA and .859 SV% so far on the young season. Sogaard’s latest appearance for the Senators came on November 5th vs the Cleveland Monsters. He would come away with the 6-2 win while stopping 23 of the 25 shots he would face.

We head to the North East now to Hartford, CT to check in with former Bruins forward, Austin Rueschhoff (2015-16). For the Wolf Pack, top affiliate to the New York Rangers, Rueschhoff has appeared in 5 games and collected his first goal of the season back on October 17th vs. the Providence Bruins. Rueschhoff (1G-0A=1P) begins his second season with the Wolf Pack after appearing in 23 games last season (4G-4A=8P) in the COVID-19 shortened season.