By: Jason Karnowski | AHL Rhythm
The Milwaukee Admirals have been disruptive offensively this season.
Vinnie Hinostrosa The kind of player who can change the game through speed, shooting or impossible passes. He also happens to be leading the NHL in points through one quarter of the 2024-25 season.
“Because Vinnie has played so many games, he's the type of guy that makes other players better and makes the whole team better,” said Admirals teammate Carl O'Reilly explain. “He's very creative, especially on the power play. He's a great addition for us.
Under Hinostroza, the Admirals lost their first game of the 2024-25 season before winning eight straight games to remain atop the AHL through October. The 10-year pro has scored points in every win and has scored in nine straight games until Nov. 9.
“I want to help my team win, and I was really good early in the game,” said Hinostroza, who is now tied for the league lead with 28 points in 21 games. “The last few games have been a little slower than when I started, but I’ve been working hard to get back to that.”
Hinostroza has scored in 17 of Milwaukee's 21 games this season. He had an outstanding performance against Rockford on October 18, scoring one goal and adding three assists as the Admirals defeated the IceHogs 6-3.
'Vinnie is like an engine sometimes,' Admirals coach Carl Taylor explain. “He’s just a buzz saw, but he can really skate.”
After one year with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hinostroza came to Cream City looking for an opportunity to continue his career and play for a successful franchise.
“You look at all the success they've had in Milwaukee over the years, it's very exciting for me and my family,” Hinostroza said. “Who doesn’t want to win and be part of a good team?”
For the Chicago native, playing in southeastern Wisconsin has the added benefit of being close to home.
“For our family, it's unreal to play in Milwaukee,” Hinostroza said. “I can stay home, send my kids to school, and commute here. We've been able to keep our family in the same place.
Taylor is excited about the opportunity to coach a player with extensive NHL experience.
“This young man has played nearly 400 games in the NHL,” Taylor said. “Vinnie wants to go to another organization that's closer to home. We're very excited for him and his family to be a part of what we're doing here. (Plus) He's shown great leadership off our bench.
To date, Hinostroza has scored 54 goals and 151 points in 374 games at the highest level of hockey. Originally drafted in the sixth round by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012, the 5-foot-10 forward joined his hometown team after playing two years of hockey at the University of Notre Dame.
When he first turned pro, he shuttled between Rockford and Chicago, playing in 106 NHL games with the Blackhawks from 2015-18. After leaving Chicago, Hinostroza switched to Arizona State, scoring 16 goals and 39 points in the 2018-19 season, and later played for Florida State. A second tour in Chicago followed and two seasons of primarily NHL hockey in Buffalo (2021-23).
The journeyman split last year between Pittsburgh (14 games) and the AHL's Wilkes/Barre Scranton Penguins (42 games). With his impressive NHL pedigree, Hinostroza is certainly a player Nashville should keep an eye on in future recruiting efforts.
“From my perspective, the way Vinnie plays, he should be playing in the NHL because he's so good for this level,” O'Reilly said. “He's a great player and we're lucky to have him because of his scoring and leadership skills.”
Hinostroza is driving Milwaukee's offense this season. The elusive forward scored three goals in four games around Thanksgiving and added four more points in a 6-5 loss to Cleveland on Nov. 24.
He developed chemistry with many of his younger teammates, including his usual Reid Shafera second-year power forward with a completely different playing style.
“Vinnie is definitely an NHL-caliber player, so it's fun to play with him,” Schaefer said. “He's a pass-first guy and plays the game very fast. If I give him the puck, I know he's going to find me.
Milwaukee has a strong track record of giving older players a chance to return to the NHL. Fellow veterans like Jared Tinordi, Colin Blackwell, Rocco Grimaldi and Mark Jankoski These are just a few of the players who have secured long-term commitments in the NHL after spending time in Milwaukee over the past few seasons.
defensive player Nick Blankenberg He is the latest skater to return to the NHL, moving to Nashville after playing 13 games in Milwaukee this season. Hinostroza could be next.
“We really love Pooh,” Taylor said. “Who knows how much longer we can keep him, especially if he continues to play like he has. Hopefully he gets everything he wants out of this season.
For now, Hinostroza is trying to get Milwaukee off to a fast start with hockey's return.
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