When the NY Islanders signed 28-year-old center Brian Pinho to a one-year contract in the summer of 2023, not much fanfare was made of the move. To be truthful, it didn’t deserve much fanfare. Pinho was considered a career AHLer who had only played four NHL games throughout his five-year career.
Even in the AHL, Pinho had never broken 20 goals and was never a point-per-game player. He was thought to be, at best, a veteran to set the tone for young Bridgeport Islanders. Even after the first season, Pinho had done nothing to change the narrative around his game.
Now in 2024-25, he’s an AHL All Star
Aura.
— Joey McAuliffe (@Joey_McAuliffe8) February 4, 2025
(image courtesy of the @TheAHL ) #Isles | #Gonefishin pic.twitter.com/pMJzwzg5pF
Pinho, a 2013 sixth-round pick, has been a monster for the Bridgeport Islanders all season long. He leads the team in goals (18) despite missing two weeks with an apparent injury. On a team that has spent much of the season losing, Pinho has served as a bright spot for Bridgeport hockey fans with his persistent ability to light the lamp.
He’s on pace to finish the season with a career-high 30 goals and 49 points. Both totals would be ten digits higher than his previous career highs. His 18 goals rank him in the top 15 among all AHL scorers. Pinho has long been known for his powerful wrist shot, but his scoring rates have ballooned.
What’s been going right for Pinho this year?
It seems obvious, but Pinho is scoring more by giving himself more opportunities to score. He’s shooting the puck a lot more this year. Last year, Pinho took 143 shots in 72 games. That works out to about two shots per game. This year, Pinho has taken 108 shots in 38 games. That equals about three shots per game. By taking an extra shot per game, Pinho is giving himself an extra chance to score.
OUR ALL-STAR!!#GoneFishin | @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/Bh2o3dlvRG
— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) February 1, 2025
In addition, his shooting percentage is also significantly higher compared to last year. This year, he’s shooting at about 16% effectiveness, compared to last year’s 6%. When he shoots this year, Pinho is 10% more likely to score compared to last year.
Best of all, Pinho has proven a jack of all trades for Bridgeport in his second season. Head Coach Rick Kowalsky has iced Pinho in seemingly every situation possible. He’s playing first-line minutes on the penalty kill, power play, and at even strength.
Brian Pinho to end the game 😌#GoneFishin | @FloHockey pic.twitter.com/906Xz0CvdX
— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) November 24, 2024
He has continued to score in all three phases. On the powerplay, his five goals rank him second behind only linemate Chris Terry (seven). His three shorthanded goals rank top five in the AHL.
Pinho’s breakout season has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult year for Bridgeport. He has long been a jack of all trades, but his recent scoring knack makes him invaluable to the Islanders.
He may not be a high-profile player, but his numbers this year are forcing people to take notice. He may have earned himself a new two-way contract this coming offseason that could lead to an NHL return. At the very least, he’s earned another contract to continue proving himself at the AHL level