Justin Bailey

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| image = Justin Bailey - Buffalo Sabres.jpg

| caption = Bailey with the Buffalo Sabres in 2016

| image_size = 230px

| league = NHL

| team = Anaheim Ducks

| prospect_league = AHL

| prospect_team = San Diego Gulls

| former_teams = Buffalo Sabres
Philadelphia Flyers
Vancouver Canucks
San Jose Sharks

| position = Right Wing

| shoots = Right

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 4

| weight_lb = 214

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|7|1}}

| birth_place = Buffalo, New York, U.S.

| draft = 52nd overall

| draft_team = Buffalo Sabres

| draft_year = 2013

| career_start = 2015

| career_end =

}}

Justin Bailey (born July 1, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Early life

Bailey was born in Buffalo, New York.{{cite web |title=Justin Bailey Stats and News |url=https://www.nhl.com/player/justin-bailey-8477473 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 1, 2021}} He grew up in nearby Williamsville, in the same apartment complex as several members of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL).{{cite news |last1=Vogl |first1=John |title=NHL prospect Bailey has a pro pedigree |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/nhl-prospect-bailey-has-a-pro-pedigree/article_5ea64e32-0000-57b7-ab02-716153ea38d3.html |access-date=September 1, 2021 |work=The Buffalo News |date=June 30, 2013}} His father Carlton Bailey was a gridiron football player who served as a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Carlton played with the Bills for five seasons and scored the touchdown that helped take the team to Super Bowl XXVI in 1992.{{cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Leo |title=Roth: Amerks' sniper Justin Bailey just living the dream |url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/columnist/roth/2017/01/19/roth-amerks-sniper-justin-bailey-just-living-dream/96772730/ |access-date=September 1, 2021 |work=Democrat & Chronicle |date=January 19, 2017}} Bailey's parents separated when he was young, and he lived with his mother, Karen Buscaglia, while maintaining contact with his father during birthdays or holidays.

Bailey's minor ice hockey career began with the Buffalo Regals of the Midwest Elite Hockey League (MEHL). A shoulder injury limited Bailey to 22 games during the 2010–11 MEHL season, during which he scored 13 goals and nine assists.{{cite news |last1=Snow |first1=Kevin |title=All-American Prospects Game: Justin Bailey |url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/all-american-prospects-game-justin-bailey/c-642330 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |agency=Buffalo Sabres |publisher=National Hockey League |date=September 27, 2012}} Bailey also helped take the Regals to the state championship finals, where they faced the Long Island Royals and coach Pat LaFontaine, who was intrigued both by Bailey's size and by his talent.{{cite news |last1=Kennedy |first1=Ryan |title=Justin Bailey |url=https://www.si.com/hockey/news/justin-bailey |access-date=September 1, 2021 |work=The Hockey News |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=September 27, 2012}}

Playing career

=Buffalo Sabres=

Bailey was selected by his hometown team, the Buffalo Sabres in the 2nd round (52nd overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.diebytheblade.com/2013/6/30/4480912/2013-nhl-draft-buffalo-sabres-justin-bailey-pick-52|title=2013 NHL Draft: Sabres Take Williamsville, NY Native Justin Bailey With Pick #52|date=June 30, 2013|accessdate=September 29, 2013|archive-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913112640/https://www.diebytheblade.com/2013/6/30/4480912/2013-nhl-draft-buffalo-sabres-justin-bailey-pick-52|url-status=dead}}

Bailey signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres on November 2, 2014.Hamilton, Paul. [http://www.wgr550.com/The-Sabres-ink-a-local-second-round-pick/20236908 The Sabres ink a local second-round pick] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002922/http://www.wgr550.com/The-Sabres-ink-a-local-second-round-pick/20236908 |date=November 3, 2014 }}. WGR. Retrieved November 2, 2014. He was recalled to the Sabres from the American Hockey League's Rochester Americans on February 10, 2016, and made his NHL debut on February 11.{{cite news| last =Boron| first =Andy| title =Sabres recall Justin Bailey from Rochester| newspaper =Die By The Blade| date =February 10, 2016| url =http://www.diebytheblade.com/2016/2/10/10961130/buffalo-sabres-recall-justin-bailey-from-rochester| accessdate =February 10, 2016| archive-date =June 29, 2018| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180629211555/https://www.diebytheblade.com/2016/2/10/10961130/buffalo-sabres-recall-justin-bailey-from-rochester| url-status =dead}} He was reassigned to Rochester on February 18,{{cite web|work=Sabre Noise|last=Kania|first=Melissa|title=Buffalo Sabres Return Bailey, Catenacci to AHL|url=http://sabrenoise.com/2016/02/19/buffalo-sabres-return-bailey-catenacci-to-ahl/|date=February 19, 2016|accessdate=February 20, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108051909/https://sabrenoise.com/2016/02/19/buffalo-sabres-return-bailey-catenacci-to-ahl/|url-status=dead}} only to be recalled again three days later following an injury to Ryan O'Reilly.{{cite web|work=Buffalo Sabres|last=LaBarber|first=Jourdon|title=O'Reilly out against Pittsburgh; Bailey recalled|url=http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=869894|date=February 21, 2016|accessdate=February 21, 2016}} He scored his first NHL goal on January 3, 2017, against Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers.{{cite news|last1=Harrington|first1=Mike|title=Bailey flooded by memories after scoring first NHL goal for Sabres|url=http://buffalonews.com/2017/01/03/bailey-flooded-memories-scoring-first-nhl-goal-sabres/|accessdate=March 20, 2018|publisher=The Buffalo News|date=January 4, 2017}}

During the 2017–18 season, Bailey was suspended one game for a high hit on Reid McNeil during a game against the Syracuse Crunch in March. However, he was called up to the NHL on March 14, 2018, a day before he was set to serve his suspension.{{cite news|last1=Moritz|first1=Amy|title=Sabres Notebook: Bailey call-up delays AHL suspension|url=http://buffalonews.com/2018/03/14/sabres-notebook-bailey-call-up-delays-ahl-suspension/|accessdate=March 20, 2018|publisher=The Buffalo News|date=March 14, 2018}} He was set to serve his suspension once he is sent back to the AHL. He was reassigned to the AHL on March 27, 2018, after playing in 5 games.{{cite news|last1=Vogl|first1=John|title=Sabres send Justin Bailey back to Amerks|url=http://buffalonews.com/2018/03/27/sabres-send-justin-bailey-back-to-amerks/|accessdate=April 3, 2018|publisher=Buffalo News|date=March 27, 2018}}

File:Justin Bailey (32559506396) (cropped).jpg in 2017.]]

=Philadelphia Flyers=

The Sabres traded Bailey to the Philadelphia Flyers on January 17, 2019, in exchange for forward Taylor Leier.{{cite news |title=Flyers acquire right wing Justin Bailey from Buffalo |url=https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/flyers-acquire-right-wing-justin-bailey-from-buffalo--philadelphia-flyers/c-304003288 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |agency=Philadelphia Flyers |publisher=National Hockey League |date=January 17, 2019}} He was assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers' AHL affiliate, playing on a line with Mikahil Vorobyev and Colin McDonald for the Flyers to assess whether there was a position for him in their NHL roster.{{cite news |last1=Isaac |first1=Dave |title=Justin Bailey felt a trade was coming before Flyers acquired him |url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/sports/nhl/flyers/2019/01/23/justin-bailey-felt-trade-coming-before-flyers-acquired-him/2657324002/ |access-date=September 2, 2021 |work=Courier-Post |date=January 23, 2019 |url-access=limited}} He was recalled to the Flyers on February 10 under suspicion that, should Wayne Simmonds be traded as part of the February 25 trading deadline, Bailey would take his position in the roster.{{cite news |last1=Carchidi |first1=Sam |title=Flyers recall winger Justin Bailey from Lehigh Valley Phantoms |url=https://www.inquirer.com/flyers/flyers-recall-winger-justin-bailey-lehigh-valley-phantoms-20190210.html |access-date=September 2, 2021 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=February 10, 2019 |url-access=limited}} Even after Simmonds was traded to the Nashville Predators, however, Bailey struggled to remain in the Flyers lineup and spent most of his time in Lehigh.{{cite news |last1=Meltzer |first1=Bill |title=Meltzer: Analyzing the RFA situation |url=https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/meltzer-analyzing-the-rfa-situation--philadelphia-flyers/c-306725514 |access-date=September 2, 2021 |agency=Philadelphia Flyers |publisher=National Hockey League |date=April 13, 2019}} Between February 10 and April 11, Bailey was sent either up or down between the two teams 10 times. His final recall came on March 20, and he finished out the season with the Flyers. Altogether, he played 11 games for Philadelphia and 17 for Lehigh Valley.{{cite news |last1=Hoppe |first1=Bill |title=Former Sabres prospect Justin Bailey adjusting to new organization |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/former-sabres-prospect-justin-bailey-adjusting-to-new-organization/article_6f5dd1aa-a75f-5127-b22c-c5fad4f11171.html |access-date=September 2, 2021 |work=The Buffalo News |date=April 11, 2019 |url-access=limited}} The Flyers did not extend a qualifying offer to Bailey at the end of the season, making him an unrestricted free agent.{{cite news |title=Flyers announce Qualifying Offers to four players |url=https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/flyers-announce-qualifying-offers-to-four-players--philadelphia-flyers/c-308053110 |access-date=September 2, 2021 |agency=Philadelphia Flyers |publisher=National Hockey League |date=June 25, 2019}}

=Vancouver Canucks=

On July 4, 2019, Bailey signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/vancouver-canucks-justin-bailey/c-308182886 | title = Canucks sign Justin Bailey | publisher = Vancouver Canucks | date = July 4, 2019 | accessdate = July 4, 2019}}

On January 30, 2020, Bailey was called-up by the Vancouver Canucks from the Utica Comets following an injury to Tyler Motte.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/canucks-recall-bailey-macewen/c-314453818|title=Canucks Recall Justin Bailey and Zack MacEwen from Utica|date=January 30, 2020|accessdate=April 14, 2020}} He appeared in two games{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/player/justin-bailey-8477473|title=Justin Bailey Stats and News|accessdate=April 14, 2020}} before the pause of the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |last1=Gaydos |first1=Ryan |title=NHL suspends 2019–20 season over coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nhl-suspends-season-over-coronavirus-outbreak |website=Fox News |date=March 12, 2020 |accessdate=April 14, 2020}}

After playing just 3 games, Bailey was injured on February 11, 2021. The injury required surgery causing him to miss the remainder of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canucks-justin-bailey-season-shoulder-surgery/|title = Canucks' Justin Bailey out for season after shoulder surgery| date=March 30, 2021 }}

=Edmonton Oilers=

As a free agent from the Canucks, Bailey failed to gain interest in an NHL contract before opting to sign a one-year AHL deal with the Bakersfield Condors on September 8, 2022.{{cite web| url = https://www.bakersfieldcondors.com/news/condors-sign-bailey/ | title = Condors sign Bailey | publisher = Bakersfield Condors | date = September 8, 2022 | accessdate = September 8, 2022}} In the 2022–23 season, Bailey recorded 10 points through his first 16 games with the Condors leading him to sign a one-year, two-way contract with NHL affiliate, the Edmonton Oilers, on January 6, 2023.{{cite web |url= https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/release-oilers-sign-bailey-to-two-way-contract/c-339611756 |title= Oilers sign Bailey to two-way contract |website=Edmonton Oilers|date=January 6, 2023}} He remained with the Condors for the duration of his contract, posting 32 points through 58 regular season games.

=San Jose Sharks=

As a free agent after his contract with the Oilers, Bailey remained un-signed over the summer before joining the San Jose Sharks 2023 training camp. On October 12, 2023, he was signed by AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda to a one-year contract.{{Cite web|url=https://theahl.com/barracuda-sign-bailey-kaspick|title=Barracuda sign Bailey, Kaspick|date=October 12, 2023|publisher=theahl.com}} Adding 6 goals and 11 points through 16 games, for the second consecutive season, Bailey earned an NHL contract during the season, in signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Sharks on November 27, 2023.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/sharks-sign-forward-justin-bailey | title = Sharks sign forward Justin Bailey | publisher = San Jose Sharks | date = November 27, 2023 | accessdate = November 27, 2023}} With the Sharks suffering a rash of injuries, Bailey was immediately recalled and made his Sharks debut on the same day, marking his return to the NHL by adding a primary assist on the game-winning goal of a 2–1 victory over the Washington Capitals.{{cite web| url = https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/news/luke-kunin-scores-winner-sharks-beat-capitals-2-1 | title = Luke Kunin scores winner, Sharks beat Capitals 2–1 | publisher = The Hockey News | date = November 27, 2023 | accessdate = November 27, 2023}} On June 30, 2024, he re-signed with the Sharks, signing a one-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/sharks-re-sign-forward-luke-kunin|title=Sharks re-sign forward Luke Kunin|website=NHL.com|publisher=San Jose Sharks|date=June 30, 2024|access-date=June 30, 2024}}

=Anaheim Ducks=

Midway through his second season in the Sharks organization, Bailey was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on January 22, 2025, in exchange for Pavol Regenda.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/duck-acquire-justin-bailey-from-sharks-for-pavol-regenda/ |title=Ducks acquire Justin Bailey from Sharks for Pavol Regenda |website=sportsnet.ca |date=January 22, 2025}}

Personal life

He is the son of former Buffalo Bills linebacker Carlton Bailey{{cite web|url=http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=675804|title=2013 NHL DRAFT – Buffalo Sabres|accessdate=September 29, 2013}} and was raised by his mother, Karen Buscaglia.{{cite web|last1=Morreale|first1=Mike G.|title=Justin Bailey thrilled to land with hometown Sabres|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/justin-bailey-thrilled-to-land-with-hometown-sabres/c-676048|website=NHL.com|accessdate=March 20, 2018|date=July 1, 2013}}