Brett Bulmer
Left Wing 6'3" 193 lbs
Kelowna Rockets (WHL) 62 points (34G-28A) in 53 games /Minnesota Wild (NHL) 3 points (0G-3A) in 9 games /Houston Aeros (AHL) 2 points (1G-1A) in 6 games
It isn't often that a player with junior options works his way into a NHL lineup but that is exactly what Brett Bulmer did last fall. He was every bit the feel-good story Jason Zucker was, only six months earlier. By the end of his nine-game stint, critics and fans alike were debating whether or not to burn a year of the first of 3 2010 second round pick's entry-level contract to keep him up with the Wild.
And there were plenty in the "for" camp.
Bulmer didn't look out of place during his nine-game stint as a 19 year-old in the NHL, putting up three assists. The physical left winger was used in almost every situation by head coach Mike Yeo and while he had room to develop size-wise, that didn't stop him from neutralizing John Tavares.
As it was, Minnesota's brass sent him down to Kelowna right before the ELC would kick in but the potential was there. Playing for the Rockets gave Bulmer a chance to further develop his offensive side and Brett was able to lead the team in goals as an overager despite only playing in 53 games. While he just missed making Canada's World Junior team, Bulmer added his first AHL goal in the Aeros' sole playoff win to round out the year.
Regardless of the team, Brett brings a combination of size, scoring and physical grit which the organization loves. At times Bulmer can be a pest in the mold of a Cal Clutterbuck - he was suspended for a game in this year's WHL Playoffs due to a knee-on-knee hit - while at others the often vague "power forward" label fits. The end result is Minnesota looking for Bulmer to be someone like Nick Johnson last year with the potential of more offense. The Wild have missed having players who can protect their star players while not being an offensive liability and Brett is capable of being that guy.
Both sides were seen last year as Bulmer's time in Kelowna after being an early sensation was for the best.
Previous 2012 Minnesota Wild Top 20 Articles:
#8 - Jason Zucker
#9 - Zack Phillips
#10 - Mario Lucia
#11 - Johan Gustafsson
#12 - Darcy Kuemper
#13 - Erik Haula
#14 - Daniel Gunnarsson
#15 - Raphael Bussieres
#16 - Kris Foucault
#17 - Nick Seeler
#18 - Tyler Cuma
#19 - Chay Genoway
#20 - Tyler Graovac
Honorable Mentions
Introduction
Photo Credit: Getty/Yahoo
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