NY Islanders: Bridgeport signs Bardreau, Kubiak and Cipollone to AHL contracts

The New York Islanders American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Bridgeport announced the signing of three forwards, Cole Bardreau, Jeff Kubiak, and Joey Cipollone, to AHL contracts.

The most recognizable name of the group is the 29-year-old Bardreau, who has played 11 career games in the NHL with the Islanders and memorably scored his first and only career goal on a penalty shot at Barclays Center on Nov. 5, 2019 against the Ottawa Senators. He was called up to play in one game for the Isles last season.

Bardreau, 29, is coming off a fine season in Bridgeport, scoring a career-best 15 goals and adding 16 assists in 67 games. The 31 points were the eight most on the team last season. Overall, he has now played in 400 AHL games with both Lehigh Valley and Bridgeport, recording 82 goals and 92 assists for 174 points. He also served as an alternative captain last season.

Like Bardreau, Kubiak is an undrafted player out of Cornell University. He will be back for his seventh season in Bridgeport, having played 270 career AHL games, all with the Isles affiliate. Last season, he tied his career-best with nine goals and added 13 assists in 72 games. Since joining the organization, he has also played 62 games in the ECHL with the Worcester Railers from 2017-19.

Cipollone will be new to Bridgeport next season but isn't new to hockey fans in Connecticut. The 23-year-old is coming off a national championship with Quinnipiac University. In 41 games with the Bobcats last season, Cipollone had 13 points (seven goals, six assists) and had 31 goals and 27 assists, along with a +26 rating in 154 career NCAA games.