Each year, young players enter the American Hockey League (AHL) and ECHL with aspirations of one day playing in the National Hockey League (NHL) against the best players in the world.  However, the transition from playing junior or collegiate hockey to professional hockey can be challenging for some, which raises the importance of having experienced veterans on the roster to help mentor the younger players. For the San Diego Gulls, that player is Corey Tropp, a veteran of nine seasons at the professional level with nearly 150 games of NHL experience.

The 29-year-old has been playing for the American Hockey League affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks for the past 3 and a half seasons, and has quickly become one of the team leaders both on and off the ice.

Tropp’s first big step towards his pro hockey career came while playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Through 2 seasons, he elevated his game to the next level where in his second season saw him post 26 goals and 36 assists for 62 points which led the team.  During that season, Tropp attracted the attention of many NHL scouts ahead of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Tropp would be selected in the third round, 89^th overall by the Buffalo Sabres, something that took him by surprise. “Actually, Buffalo was one of the few teams I didn’t talk to” said Tropp.  “I found that interesting.” Regardless of the fact, Corey was thrilled to be drafted by the Sabres.

Like many kids growing up in the Detroit, Michigan area, Tropp’s goal was to one day play collegiate hockey in his home state, which led him to commit to the Michigan State Spartans. “Anyone in Michigan would love to play for Michigan or Michigan State.  Michigan State showed a ton more interest in me early on, and I was excited to play for them.” The school has produced many NHL players throughout the years, an exclusive club that Tropp hoped to one day be part of.

However, before he suited up for Michigan State, Tropp was drafted by the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League draft.  As the rules state, players cannot play in the OHL and then be eligible for the NCAA, leaving players to decide between one or the other.  It was an easy decision for him to make. “In my minor midget year I wasn’t very big and growing up I didn’t think I’d be a superstar in the OHL.  From that year, I just wanted to get a college scholarship.”

Tropp felt that playing college hockey would be more beneficial for his growth on and off the ice. His time at Michigan State shaped who is today and he is proud to say he graduated with a degree in communications and advertising and was named to the CCHA Second All-Star Team in his final year.

Throughout his three years at Michigan State, Tropp experienced some memorable moments that he will remember for the rest of his life. “Playing in the Great Lakes Tournament at the old Joe Louis Arena is probably my fondest memory.  Being 18 and 19 years old, selling out an NHL arena was really cool.”

After playing 3 seasons with Michigan State, Tropp signed his first professional contract, a 3-year entry level deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Although plenty of prospects forgo their final year of college eligibility, Tropp was on the fence about it.  “I did leave a year early, but I have no regrets.  I ended up graduating anyway.”

Next stop: training camp for the 2010-11 season. “I went to my first NHL training camp which was an eye opener, that’s for sure,” said Tropp.  “I was paired on a line with Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy, who are some pretty skilled guys.”

Despite his strong play in training camp, Tropp was assigned to the Sabres AHL affiliate in Portland, Maine.  This would be his first time living and playing on the East Coast, having grown up in the mid-west.  Statistically, Tropp had a solid rookie year in the AHL, posting 10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points in 76 games.  Going from playing 35 games a year in college to 76 games in the AHL is not an easy task, and Tropp excelled in tremendous fashion. The Pirates also did well, finishing first in the Conference.

It was during his sophomore campaign when Tropp was recalled by the Sabres to play his first NHL game.  “It was a dream come true.  I was a mix of nervous and excited, but it was really cool to play my first game in the NHL.”  All season the Sabres were battling for a playoff spot and were the mix until the very end. Despite barely missing the playoffs, Tropp played in 34 games, registering 3 goals and 5 assists. After a solid showing in the NHL, things were looking up.

However, the start of the 2012-13 was met with an NHL lockout where players on NHL Entry level contracts could be permissibly assigned to the AHL.  Tropp started the season in Rochester but would only play six games the entire season after he tore his MCL and ACL.  “The rehab was long and frustrating at times.  The mindset was just to approach rehab like I would the regular season.  That injury early in my career actually helped prepare me for other ones later on.”

His hard work rehabbing the injury paid off as Tropp began the 2013-14 season back with the Sabres before being claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets.  He played the next season and a half as a full-time NHL player with the Blue Jackets before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks where he played the next season in Albany of the AHL before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks in February, 2016. 

Tropp was quick to credit the American League for preparing him for a career in the NHL. “The long bus rides and the longer regular season definitely helped me transition into a professional hockey player.”

Since 2016, Corey has played for the San Diego Gulls in the American Hockey League and was keen to experience life living in California.  “No complaints living on the West Coast, that’s for sure.  I take my dog to the beach all the time.  A lot of the guys go surfing daily.” With the Gulls leading the AHL in attendance, the expansion to the West has been deemed extremely successful.

Now one of the veterans on the team who has been to the top of the mountain, Tropp is trying to instil some leadership qualities on the younger Ducks’ prospects, similar to what he experienced when he was younger. “We have a good group of young players on the team.  It’s almost like I am trying to learn more from them than they are from me.” The two-way learning experience is something that has helped the Gulls be so successful this season.

Off the ice, Tropp was elected by his teammates to serve as the Gulls’ Player Representative for the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), the collective bargaining representative for AHL and ECHL players.  Although this season is his first being a Player Rep, it’s an important role he is taking seriously. “I am more interested in the Association now that I’m a veteran player, and I think it is important for me to get involved at this stage in my career where I can not only help out my teammates but assist players across the league.”

At the time of this article the Gulls are one of the best teams in the Western Conference, and have their sights set on the playoffs. “Our goal from the start of the year is to make the playoffs”, added Tropp. “Once playoff time comes, we’ll re-evaluate those goals and go from there.”  As good as the Gulls have been this year, they will rely on the veteran presence of players such as Corey Tropp to bring home the team’s first Calder Cup Championship, which bodes well for the future of the Anaheim Ducks.