Whats up around the ECHL

[Lazer]

Here is whats happening in Las Vegas.

Changes happening in Las Vegas.

Gulutzan leaving for AHL

Wranglers to divulge coach's move today

By TODD DEWEY
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Las Vegas Wranglers


Glen Gulutzan
Will move on to AHL, after coaching the Wranglers for their entire six-year history
Photo by Ralph Fountain.

Shortly after the Wranglers were eliminated from the ECHL playoffs this year by the Alaska Aces, Las Vegas coach Glen Gulutzan said it was "certainly the most challenging season I've had" in six years at the helm of the franchise.

But after guiding the Wranglers to their second straight appearance in the National Conference finals, the fiery Gulutzan is ready to take on a new challenge -- as head coach of a team in the American Hockey League.

The Wranglers are expected to announce at noon today the departure of the 37-year-old Gulutzan, a source close to the team confirmed.

While it hasn't been announced which team has hired Gulutzan, only three AHL clubs -- the Iowa Chops, Lake Erie Monsters and expansion Texas Stars -- have head coaching vacancies.

The only coach in the six-year history of the Las Vegas franchise, Gulutzan guided the Wranglers to a league-record three straight 100-point seasons, from 2005 to 2008, and a 254-124-55 (.650) mark overall.

He led Las Vegas to the playoffs in five of his six years and was named the ECHL Coach of the Year in 2005-06, when the Wranglers went 53-13-6 and notched 112 points, the fifth-highest total in league history.

Gulutzan was selected to coach in the ECHL All-Star Game three times, tying a league record. In 2006-07, he led Las Vegas to the Brabham Cup, awarded to the league's regular-season champion. The Wranglers tied a professional hockey record that season with 18 consecutive victories.

Gulutzan guided Las Vegas to its first-ever appearance in the Kelly Cup Finals in the 2007-08 season, when it lost to Cincinnati in six games.

Gulutzan turned in perhaps his finest performance this past season, when he led Las Vegas to the conference finals after it barely broke .500 (34-31-8) in a tumultuous regular season.

[Lazer]

Around the ECHL -- John Marks, the ECHL's all-time winningest coach, will guide the IHL's Dayton Gems in 2009-10. … Stockton Thunder coach Matt Thomas was rewarded with a two-year contract extension after leading the club to a 22-16-3 record and a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Thomas replaced Chris Cichocki on Dec. 29, 2008, after the Fresno Falcons ceased operations. … Former ECHL goalie Nathan Marsters died June 8 when a deer crashed through the windshield of his pickup truck in his native Ontario. Marsters, 29, appeared in 91 games with Louisiana, Augusta and Wheeling. He made 56 saves in Louisiana's 5-3 win against Pensacola on March 29, 2005. … The Gwinnett Gladiators sent forward Andy Brandt to the South Carolina Stingrays to complete the Nov. 13, 2008 deal for goalie Josh Johnson, who re-signed with Gwinnett. … The Utah Grizzlies acquired the rights to defenseman Slavomir Tomko from the Elmira Jackals to complete the Nov. 8, 2008 trade for center Brandon Scero. … The Idaho Steelheads agreed to terms with forward Matt McKnight and defenseman Weston Tardy. … The Cincinnati Cyclones traded forward Kyle Rank and defenseman Joe Ryan to the Reading Royals to complete the future considerations portion of a March 9 trade that sent Mac Faulkner and Gerard Miller to Cincinnati. The Royals also signed defenseman Dinos Stamoulis. … Veteran forward Ernie Hartlieb has re-signed with the Florida Everblades.

[Lazer]

Will Quad Cities come to the ECHL or IHL?

http://www.qctimes.com/sports/hockey/professional/minor/article_09a0f36c-6051-11de-817c-001cc4c002e0.html

Deadline looms for Q-C hockey negotiations


One week from Wednesday looms as a soft but effective deadline for a decision on the fate of professional hockey in the Quad-Cities.

Scott Mullen, executive director of the i wireless Center and a leader of the supportqchockey.com movement, said there certainly would be no announcment this week that Double-A hockey is returning to his building in the fall.

Mullen and consultant Howard Cornfield continue for now with protracted negotiations with an out-of-town person who is considering fielding a team here.

But,Mullen said, if those discussions drag on past July 1, supportqchockey.com will not hang on to more than $12,000 that has been deposited in $25 increments toward the purchase of season tickets for a 2009-2010 hockey season.

That was a refund date promised when supportqchockey.com was formed in mid-March.

"If we don't have a team by July 1, people are getting their refunds," Mullen said. "I will not hold their money. I have told him that, and he is aware of that.

"If he wants to get a deal done or not get a deal done before that date, he needs to figure that out soon. We're not lying to our community. That's what we said and, whether that hurts or helps, we're going to keep our word."

The prospective owner, who has demanded anonymity, continues to talk to both the International Hockey League and the ECHL about potentially fielding a Q-C team in their league.

Mullen said the potential owner was expected to attend ECHL summer meetings this week. He also was at last week's IHL meetings in Las Vegas.

The IHL did not conclude its full agenda last week, keeping its options open for a vote on possible expansion via a later teleconference.

A Fort Wayne, Ind., newspaper suggested that vote might take place Wednesday, but, if so, Mullen said, that vote won't involve a possible Q-C team.

"I know why there is not going to be an announcement this week," the building leader said. "He has told me his schedule. He couldn't get to the Quad-Cities if he wanted to. It's not going to be this week."

Beyond that detail, there also is the issue of a lease agreement with the iwC. That doesn't yet exist, Mullen stressed.

Mullen hopes it does - or not - in the very near future.

He described the potential owner as "a creative marketing guy, and I think he is going to do a heckuva job here."

But, he said the time for a decision is soon.

"We're hoping to get there, but if the answer is no, I will move on with life and book the shows I have waiting in queue for an answer right now.

"I fully expect to have a decision before July 1."

[Primis]

I think the ECHL is out at this point. Eastern teams have released their schedules with Kalamazoo worked in. They're not going to rework the schedule AGAIN at this point, because the schedule has made enough fans unhappy as it is. A reworked one would be even worse..

QC's options are now the IHL, or staying dark a year. And it's looking more and more like going dark might be the reality as they slog along.

[mrsummitcitypigskin]

Now thats not what we're hearing around the IHL. Sources close to
the league say the door is still open for QC and we should know something
about it and maybe 1 more for 2010-11 by the 4th of July holiday.
Evansville is officially in w/ the Icemen for 2011-12. That could be pushed
out a year if the E.ville venue is not ready.

[Lazer]

Now thats not what we're hearing around the IHL. Sources close to
the league say the door is still open for QC and we should know something
about it and maybe 1 more for 2010-11 by the 4th of July holiday.
Evansville is officially in w/ the Icemen for 2011-12. That could be pushed
out a year if the E.ville venue is not ready.

I think the IHL would have an easier time with redoing their schedule, with only 6 teams. The other IHL teams would welcome another team to watch.

With saying that, I for one would welcome QC to the ECHL family next year.

[Lazer]

It looks like the Victoria Salmon Kings have lost their best D-man to Europe for next year. Matt Kelly maybe gone for the 2009/2010 season.

He will be greatly missed, GOOD LUCK MATT KELLY.

[mrsummitcitypigskin]

I think the IHL would have an easier time with redoing their schedule, with only 6 teams. The other IHL teams would welcome another team to watch.

With saying that, I for one would welcome QC to the ECHL family next year.

The IHL will not complete their schedule until they have a firm set of teams.
At this point, it looks like Q.C. is in the league for 2009-10. But anything can
happen. Understand there may be another team under consideration but
sources are not saying who.

[wannabe2]

Know all the stats on this guy, but has anyone seen him play in the ECHL, as he has just signed for my team in the UK. Its always good to hear fans views on players, can you help please.
Cheers
Glynne.

[Geoff]

I've seen him play. Hated him. As I usually do with good players who were the opponent. My memory is fuzzy since I haven't seen him in over a year. Sorry I can't tell you about his style.

[Lazer]

Know all the stats on this guy, but has anyone seen him play in the ECHL, as he has just signed for my team in the UK. Its always good to hear fans views on players, can you help please.
Cheers
Glynne.

Here his stats from the last number of years. He played for the ECHL Kelly Cup winners, will be a good player.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/viewastext.php?7d9b6890=1718c543&pid=65972

Scott Romfo
Defense
Born Jul 10 1981 -- Blaine, MN
Height 5.11 -- Weight 185 -- Shoots L


--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000-01 Tri-City Storm USHL 34 3 4 7 37 7 0 1 1 0
2001-02 Tri-City Storm USHL 60 4 16 20 48 -- -- -- -- --
2002-03 R.P.I. NCAA 31 2 2 4 38
2003-04 R.P.I. NCAA 28 2 2 4 28
2004-05 R.P.I. NCAA 29 2 8 10 36
2005-06 R.P.I. NCAA 35 2 15 17 36
2005-06 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 16 1 7 8 14 5 2 0 2 2
2006-07 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 66 5 20 25 73 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 72 7 16 23 71 20 0 4 4 14
2008-09 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 63 8 22 30 48 21 0 4 4 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Lazer]

Lots of changes in the ECHL Playoff format. 3 divisions in American Conference.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/wrangler-roundup/2009/jun/29/echl-adopts-new-playoff-format/

PrintE-mailShare
deliciousdiggNewsvineFacebookStumbleTechnoratiredd itFark ECHL adopts new playoff formattwitter
Subscribe to RSS Feed
ECHL adopts new playoff format
By Steve Silver · June 29, 2009 · 12:13 PM

Expanded hockey coverage
■More on the Wranglers
■2008-09 regular season schedule and results
The ECHL Board of Governors concluded its annual meetings this weekend and unanimously approved a new playoff format for the 2010 Kelly Cup playoffs.

The Board decided to shorten the first round of the playoffs by making the conference quarterfinals a best-of-five game series, while keeping the remaining rounds best-of-seven series.

This five-game series will be a 2-3 format with the higher seed choosing if it wishes to host games 1-2 or games 3-5. Teams that are less than 350 miles apart may choose to play a 2-2-1 format.
Since the American Conference has 12 teams in three divisions and the National Conference only has eight teams in two divisions, the Board also adopted a new system to determine playoff berths and seeding. (The ECHL used a similar system last year after losing two squads in the middle of the season due to financial troubles).

Basically, the division winners will all receive automatic postseason spots. In the National Conference, the top overall seed will get a bye and the next five best teams (based on points) will make the playoffs -- in other words, the ECHL had no other option besides allowing every team in the National Conference a playoff berth. So seven National Conference teams and eight American Conference teams make the playoffs.

The Las Vegas Wranglers compete in the Pacific Division of the National Conference with the Bakersfield Condors, Ontario Reign and Stockton Thunder.

Here is the new postseason format in the ECHL's words:

In the National Conference, postseason berths will be awarded to the first-place team in each division and the next five teams in the conference, based on points. The division winner with the best record in the conference will receive a bye in the first round. The other division winner will be seeded second and meet the team that finishes seventh in the conference in the first round. The other first round matchups will be the third-place finisher in the conference against the sixth-place finisher in the conference and the fourth-place finisher in the conference against the fifth-place finisher in the conference. The conference semifinals will have the first-place finisher meeting the winner of the fourth-place and fifth-place matchup and the winner of the second-place finisher and seventh-place finisher against the winner of the third-place finisher against the sixth-place finisher.

In the American Conference, postseason berths will be awarded to the first-place team in each division and the next five teams in the conference, based on points. The division winners will be seeded first, second and third and will play the eighth-place finisher, the seventh-place finisher and the sixth-place finisher, respectively, while the fourth-place finisher and the fifth-place finisher will meet. The conference semifinals will have the winner of the first-place and eighth-place matchup will meet the winner of the fourth-place and fifth-place game while the winner of the second-place and seventh-place game will face the winner of the third-place and sixth-place matchup.

The Board also voted to cap the ECHL membership at 24 teams with a priority to find new teams in the West. The ownership group in Reno is still struggling to put a team in the league.

Finally, the Board also approved the elimination of the injured reserve in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Teams will have a maximum roster of 23 players for the postseason with 20 active players and up to three inactive players.

[Lazer]

IHL gains another team, ECHL loses out.

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090630/BLOGS11/906309894

Journal Gazette

Those sounds of "Clear! ... thump - followed by deep breaths" you hear is the IHL springing back to life.Fresh from the announcement that Dayton was returning, the league got another jolt of electricity when Quad City announced Tuesday that it will be back on the Komets' 2009-2010 schedule, and back as the Mallards, the nickname it held when it won three Colonial Cup championships.See ya, Kalamazoo. Enjoy the ECHL.But there is more news to come.All seven team reps will be in town Wednesday to hammer out the IHL schedule, and then on Friday, there will be an expansion draft and a dispersal draft of the Kalamazoo roster.

IHL site says the drafts are on thursday

Posted by mightbite at 06/30/09 06:43:00 PM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Justin-I agree with you when you say"See ya,Kalamazoo",as for enjoying the ECHL,that may well not happen.

Posted by Kfansince68 at 06/30/09 09:16:00 PM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am so relieved....and I am so happy that my optimism was not misplaced!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Cat Eyes at 06/30/09 09:26:00 PM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great news. I guess some nay sayers should be roasting the crow about now.

Posted by writes right shoots left at 06/30/09 09:29:00 PM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, now Justin. Let's not get dramatic. Before Dayton and now Quad City, I saw the IHL as a sickly old man anxiously declaring "I'm not dead yet!"

Posted by Wendy at 06/30/09 09:31:00 PM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wendy, have you been watching Monty Python again? lol

Posted by deuce at 06/30/09 11:14:00 PM

[Lazer]

ECHL Announces Players With Qualifying Offers

http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news2&cat=1&id=19105

[Lazer]

Hockey is a tough sport and if you trash talk, keep your eyes open.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=118608

B.C. court sides with player who says fighting is a part of the game
By Dirk Meissner – 22 hours ago

VICTORIA, B.C. — A minor league hockey player who told a B.C. court that fighting and trash talking are part of the game has been found not guilty of assault causing bodily harm in connection with an on-ice incident last season.

Robin Gomez, a former member of the ECHL's Victoria Salmon Kings, was charged after Las Vegas Wranglers player Chris Ferraro was punched in the face and knocked unconscious during a game in Victoria last March.

In his ruling Thursday, Provincial Court judge Mike Hubbard said hockey is a sport of implied consent where players can expect physical contact and verbal abuse.

"Hockey would be a better game without the trash talking and the fighting," he said.

Hubbard said he considered the level of rough play and the potential for violence even greater in the ECHL than the National Hockey League.

Crown spokesman Neil Mackenzie said prosecutors decided to press charges in the incident because they believed it went beyond what is considered implied consent in hockey.

"When we reviewed the file it was the Crown assessment that the charge approval standard was met and that Mr. Gomez's action went beyond the scope of any implied consent," he said.

"But ultimately the court wasn't satisfied of that beyond a reasonable doubt."

Mackenzie said the case will be the subject of a review and it was too early to comment on the possibility of an appeal.

Outside court, Gomez, 27, said violence has always been a part of hockey and will likely never be removed from the game.

"I'm just glad this is behind me and I can move on with the rest of my life," he said.

Lawyer Jordan Watt, who teamed up with his father Alexander Watt to defend Gomez for free, said he comes from a family passionate about hockey.

He said assault cases involving hockey players are a grey area of the law and each case is dependent upon its individual facts.

Ferraro testified that he didn't see the punch coming as Gomez hit him when he stepped onto the ice from the players' bench.

During his testimony, Gomez told the judge that fighting is part of hockey and that Ferraro was verbally taunting him as he skated by the Salmon Kings bench.

Gomez was suspended by the league following the incident. He is no longer a member of the Salmon Kings.

He said he's still looking for a team to add him to their roster, and believes he can play hockey professionally for another year or two.

Watt said he and his father took the case in part because they believed the Salmon Kings and the ECHL did not do enough to support Gomez for the game-related charge.

"In our opinion the team basically turned their back on him," said Watt. "My father and I took this case on pro bono, because we believe in the issue, and we fought for him."

Gomez's parents, Moe and Kathy, were in the courtroom when the not guilty verdict was read.

Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Add News to your Google Homepage
Map

[Lazer]

Here is a great goal scorer and team player - Wes Goldie
http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/Goldie+staying+with+Salmon+Kings/1769383/story.html

Goldie staying put with Salmon Kings
By Cleve DheensawJuly 7, 2009
The ECHL primarily emphasizes its role as the top Double-A league that moves young pros up to the Triple-A American Hockey League. Yet it’s the four veterans allowed on each team who usually become the public face of the various teams in their communities.

Wes Goldie, 30, is just that for the Victoria Salmon Kings and yesterday he signed to play his fourth season with the Vancouver Canucks’ affiliate.

“We’ve lived and moved all over and now have settled into this city and loved it from Day 1,” said Goldie, the all-time leading scorer for the Salmon Kings, who finished last season with an ECHL second-best 48 goals.

“We were at a point when our kids [ages 11, eight and seven] needed a place for roots and to call home. It’s important for us to be in one place during their school years.”

Goldie, a durable sniper out of the major-junior Owen Sound Platers, has played in all 216 regular season and 26 Salmon Kings playoff games over the past three seasons and has scored more than 40 goals in each season. Goldie is the Salmon Kings franchise leader in goals with 131, points with 201, power-play goals with 43, shorthanded goals with 19 and game-winning goals with 17.

“The organization is happy with what I’m doing for it and we’re happy in how it has treated me and my family,” said Goldie.

The Salmon Kings also announced the re-signing of forward Curtis Billsten. The six-foot-three graduate of the WHL Everett Silvertips had 11 goals and 39 points last season.

Meanwhile, the Salmon Kings traded defenceman and Nanaimo-raised Aaron Brocklehurst to the Gwinnett Gladiators for 2003 Anaheim Ducks draft pick Dirk Southern, a six-foot-one forward entering his fourth season of pro hockey.

[mrsummitcitypigskin]

They can emphasize all they want. I'm still not so sure they are the "top" AA
hockey league in America. The IHL & CHL play a pretty good brand of hockey,
with only minimal affiliations. Keeping players in the medium to small markets,
keeps fans coming back to the arena's.

[Lazer]

ECHL Alaska Aces loses a good coach.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/2009/07/17/10165321-sun.html

Keith McCambridge was ready to take the next step in his coaching career and the Manitoba Moose were happy to provide him with the opportunity.

McCambridge was unveiled as the new assistant coach of the Manitoba Moose yesterday and it will be a homecoming for the man who was born in Thompson.

"I'm very excited to be part of an organization like the Moose," McCambridge said from his home in Alaska. "This is a chance for myself to advance to the next level and it's something I've always wanted to do."

McCambridge, who signed a two-year deal, plus a club option for the third, spent the past two seasons as the head coach of the Alaska Aces of the ECHL, where he guided them to an 86-50-8 record.

Last season, the Aces reached the Kelly Cup final, losing in Game 7 to the South Carolina Stingrays.

Prior to that, McCambridge spent three seasons as a player/assistant coach with the Aces and one as an assistant under Davis Payne, who is now the head coach of the Peoria Rivermen.

"I was also interested in the coaching side of things while I was playing, it's something I have a passion for," said McCambridge, 35.

"As your career progresses and you play for different coaches, I always made notes and wrote about the positives and about some of the things I didn't like. I knew I wanted to teach the game of hockey."

Moose head coach Scott Arniel narrowed the field down to three individuals before deciding on McCambridge, a strapping defenceman who played 12 seasons as a pro -- including a three-game stint with the Moose in 1999-2000.

"Obviously, he's very energetic and enthusiastic," said Arniel.

"He's a guy that's really willing to put the work in and is driven to succeed. He's pretty eager to take this next step. He played at a lot of different levels and is known for a solid work ethic. He's going to be a good fit for us. And he's a local guy, so he won't be able to complain about the weather because it's going to be better here than where he was."

With Arniel mentioned frequently as a candidate to move on to a head coaching job in the NHL in the near future, it makes sense for the Moose to hire a guy like McCambridge, who could eventually take over as bench boss.

"First and foremost, the thought process is to come in and learn from a great coach in Scott Arniel and my focus is just on being an assistant coach," said McCambridge.

"I definitely have aspirations of being a head coach, both in the American League and NHL levels. Right now, I'm just excited about the chance to be an assistant in Manitoba."

Rick St. Croix will round out the coaching staff as an assistant.

[Lazer]

They can emphasize all they want. I'm still not so sure they are the "top" AA
hockey league in America. The IHL & CHL play a pretty good brand of hockey,
with only minimal affiliations. Keeping players in the medium to small markets,
keeps fans coming back to the arena's.

The play I've seen in the ECHL is fast skating and hard hitting hockey. The players know they are on display for their NHL teams and are hoping to be called up to the AHL. This is why the ECHL teams only allow 4 veterans per team.
The CHL & IHL have more players that still want to play hockey, but want to settle down in one place and raise a family. There is a need for both types of leagues.

[Lazer]

From the CHL to the NHL- Chris Minard

http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2009/jul/18/quite-a-journey/

Hockey player had quite a journey

By Paul Harris (Contact)
Saturday, July 18, 2009


From San Angelo to the Stanley Cup.

It seems like the most improbable of journeys, but that’s exactly what Chris Minard pulled off last month when he hoisted the Holy Grail of sports trophies as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Angelo last saw Minard in 2004 as an all-star forward with the Saints hockey team. Since then, he’s been on an incredible climb up the hockey ladder, steadily moving up to higher-level leagues.

He finally made it to the top last year, playing in 15 games with the Penguins and tallying his first goal and assist in the NHL.

Then came last month when Pittsburgh upset Detroit in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Minard didn’t get to play, but he was on the bench throughout the team’s playoff run.

And when the final seconds ticked off the clock in the Penguins’ 2-1 win, Minard stormed onto the ice with his teammates, celebrating the biggest hockey title in the world.

Not bad for a guy who was playing in West Texas just over five years ago for a team that doesn’t even exist anymore.

“It was pretty much a dream come true,” said Minard, who is now 27 and married with his first child on the way. “Every kid in Canada and every kid who plays hockey, the whole goal is to play in the NHL and win a Stanley Cup. Even though I didn’t get to play in the playoffs, to be around everybody and the whole atmosphere and get to celebrate with everybody, it was a dream come true.”

Minard arrived in San Angelo in 2003 as a 21-year-old kid with just one season of professional hockey under his belt.

He had only 15 goals in 72 games in his rookie season with Pensacola, Fla., but things would quickly change in San Angelo.

Minard had a breakout season with 39 goals and 36 assists to establish himself as one of the most dangerous offensive players in the Central Hockey League.

His biggest moment came when he scored five goals one night on his first five shots. Shortly after, the Hockey Hall of Fame called and asked to have his stick from that game.

“Obviously, coming to San Angelo, Chris really opened the door for himself,” said former Saints head coach Ray Edwards, who recruited Minard to San Angelo. “He had the 39 goals and the five-goal night, and he sort of put himself on the map. He had every East Coast Hockey League team wanting a two-year deal.

“At that point, I sort of had to let him go branch out.”

Edwards, who is now an assistant coach in the American Hockey League with the San Antonio Rampage (the top farm club for the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes), has known Minard since being hosted by his family when Edwards was a 19-year-old junior player and Minard was 7.

Edwards helped Minard land with his first pro team in Pensacola, where Edwards was an assistant, before convincing Minard to follow him to San Angelo for his first head coaching job.

Since then, Edwards could only watch Minard’s rise toward the top.

“Watching Chris develop and now watching him succeed, it’s pretty rewarding,” Edwards said.

Minard admitted he didn’t have huge hopes when he decided to come to San Angelo, which is a long way from his hometown in Owen Sound, Ontario. He just wanted to keep playing hockey.

“I didn’t really think my hockey was going anywhere. I just wanted to have fun and play,” Minard said. “Ray made me a better played and got my attitude in the right direction. It was a fun year and a good group of guys. ... It was a great experience in San Angelo. We loved it, and I still have some fans from there.”

After his big season in San Angelo, Minard had an even bigger season the next year with the Alaska Aces in the ECHL. He scored 49 goals and had 29 assists.

He also had the opportunity to play with NHL star Scott Gomez while in Alaska because of the NHL lockout. That led to Gomez influencing New Jersey Devils’ management to give Minard a training camp shot, where he earned a spot with the Devils’ AHL affiliate in Albany, N.Y.

After two seasons in the AHL with the Albany River Rats and Lowell Devils — and another short stint with Alaska — Minard was signed by the Penguins on July 12, 2007, and assigned to their top farm club in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

He was called up on Jan. 21, 2008, making his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals.

“That first game was so unreal, so nerve-wracking,” Minard said. “A lot of things are going through your head. ... After that first game, it’s ‘How can I stay an NHL player?’”

Minard recorded his first NHL point on Feb. 26, 2008, with an assist against the New York Islanders. Two weeks later, on March 12, Minard scored his first NHL goal, beating Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres.

He finished the season back in Wilkes-Barre, but he was called up again last season for 20 games, tallying one goal and two assists.

Then came the Penguins’ thrilling playoff run at the end of the season. Because Minard didn’t record enough regular-season appearances and never had a shift during the playoffs, his name isn’t on the Stanley Cup, but he was still a part of a championship team.

Edwards said Minard’s story should be an inspiration to any player toiling away in the minor leagues.

“The Double-A level, it seems like a long way away from the National Hockey League, and it is,” Edwards said. “But the philosophy is you always want to get better and you want to develop. You have goals, and everyone’s goal at that level — I don’t care if it’s a dream or far away or whatever — the goal is to play at the highest level. Chris is one of those guys now. He’s done that.

“There’s not many from the CHL, but there’s one right there.”

Last week, Minard signed a $500,000 free-agent contract with the Edmonton Oilers. He hopes his star will only keep rising.

“My goal is to become an everyday regular NHL player,” Minard said. “Obviously, I’ve been there. The hard part is staying there. That’s my goal now, getting another opportunity at the NHL level, taking full advantage of it and being able to stay there.”

Ray Edwards update

Minard’s former coach and good friend, Ray Edwards, has also done well for himself since his last game in San Angelo.

After being named the CHL Coach of the Year in 2004 and guiding the Saints to the playoffs again in the team’s final season in 2005, Edwards was forced to find a new job when the Saints folded.

“The day we left, there wasn’t a dry eye in the car,” Edwards said. “That was our first home that we’d bought, and the people there were so great. We had a lot of success there, and it was a lot of fun.”

Edwards landed in Albuquerque, N.M., and led the Saints’ former rivals, the New Mexico Scorpions, to the third round of the playoffs in 2007. That helped him earn a job as an assistant coach that offseason in the American Hockey League with the San Antonio Rampage, the top farm club for the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes.

“Obviously, I never made it to the NHL as a player, and that’s a goal (as a coach),” Edwards said. “But I love developing these kids and I love coaching. I just want to continue to grow and develop and help out this organization, just do what I can to sort of help their goal of winning a Stanley Cup. I’m sure the other stuff will take care of itself.”

[Lazer]

Victoria may get new goalie.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/2009/07/21/10204136-sun.html

Signings net gain for Moose
By KEN WIEBE, SUN MEDIA

Last Updated: 21st July 2009, 4:10am

The Manitoba Moose have come up with what they believe is a solid backup plan.

Whether it's Cory Schneider back for a third season in the minors or Andrew Raycroft losing the battle for the No. 2 job with the Vancouver Canucks, the Moose feel pretty solid about who was going to be their starting goalie this fall.

However, the backup job was up for grabs -- at least up until yesterday -- thanks to a lack of depth in the Canucks' organization.

The position was shored up considerably yesterday as the Moose announced the signing of Daren Machesney and John Murray to AHL contracts.

Machesney, a fifth round pick (143rd overall) of the Washington Capitals in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, spent the past three seasons with the Hershey Bears and posted solid numbers (44-25-4) , primarily in a back-up role.

He also helped Canada to a silver medal at the Spengler Cup last January.

Machesney, 22 became expendable in the Capitals organization thanks to the emergence of Simeon Varlamov and Calder Cup playoff MVP Michal Neuvirth.

However, he should provide valuable goaltending insurance and see spot duty with the Moose this season.

Murray is likely headed to the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL after spending last season with the Ontario Reign.

Murray, 22, is 16-13-4 with a 3.52 goals against average and .925 save percentage in 35 ECHL games and appeared in one AHL game with the Syracuse Crunch last season.

Speaking of goaltenders, former Moose goalie Curtis Sanford signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens yesterday.

He is likely headed to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL, but could be in the mix with the big club should something happen to Carey Price or Jaroslav Halak.

Sanford was 7-3-3 with a 1.73 goals against average in 16 games with the Moose last season.

The Moose also announced the signing of right-winger Tommy Maxwell to an AHL pact.

Maxwell, 23, had a goal, five points and 72 penalty minutes in 36 games with the Moose after he was acquired from the Bears.

ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca

[Lazer]

Victoria Slamon Kings lose a grit player to Reading Royals.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3868779

Royals Sign Forward Olivier Labelle

July 21, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL) Reading Royals


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, today announced that the team has signed forward Olivier Labelle ["la BELL, OH liv EE ay"]. Last season, LaBelle (6'0/190) (24), who hails from St. Eustache, Quebec, scored sixteen goals, assisted on nineteen others (thirty-five points) and picked up 128 penalty minutes in fifty-six regular season games with the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL. Labelle also registered a pair of assists in six games with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL last season.

Labelle, who is preparing to enter his fourth pro season, began last year in Chicago Blackhawks' training camp before reporting to the Moose in the AHL. Labelle was assigned by Manitoba to Victoria to start the 2008-09 season where he promptly scored eight goals in his first eight games with the Salmon Kings and ultimately earned a call-up to Manitoba in late November, where he picked up an assist in each of his first two games with the team. Labelle, who was second amongst the Salmon Kings in penalty minutes (128) and fighting majors (6) last year, was reignited during Victoria's playoff run, where he racked up a goal in each of the team's first three post-season contests-which included scoring the first goal and game winner in Victoria's 2-0 victory in Game Two of the National Conference Quarter-Final match-up against the Idaho Steelheads. Labelle registered seven points (4g-3a) in nine playoff games before Victoria was eliminated by the Alaska Aces in the National Conference Semi-Finals.


Last year's playoff performance by Labelle was consistent with his post-season production as a member of the Utah Grizzlies in 2007-08, when he racked up eleven points (4g-7a) in fifteen playoff games as the Grizzlies advanced all the way to the National Conference Finals before being eliminated by the Las Vegas Wranglers. That season, Labelle attended New York Islanders' training camp and began the year with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, where he scored a goal in a total of eight regular season games. Labelle played the majority of the 2007-08 season in Utah, where he established career highs by scoring twenty-six goals and picking up twenty-two assists (forty-eight points) in fifty-two regular season games, which placed him fourth in scoring on the team. Labelle also led the Grizzlies with 169 penalty minutes, which included nine fighting majors (third most on the team). Labelle began his pro career in 2006-07 with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, where he scored eleven goals, picked up twenty-assists (thirty-one points) and was second on the team with 153 penalty minutes (and nine fighting majors) in seventy-four regular season games. Prior to turning pro, Labelle played 273 regular season games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he was a member of back-to-back championship teams with the Hull (and later Gatineau) Olympiques in 2003 and 2004. Labelle finished out his QMJHL career in 2005-06 with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan where he exploded for 100 points (50g-50a) and 185 penalty minutes in sixty-seven regular season games.


The Royals open the 2009-10 ECHL season on Thursday, October 15, 2009 (7:05 pm) when the Kalamazoo Wings make their first visit ever to the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. Season tickets for the Royals' 2009-10 season are currently available. To become a part of Royals hockey, call 610-898-PUCK or log onto www.royalshockey.com.

[Lazer]

Peoria Rivermen's Thompson wins ECHL Alaska Aces head coaching job.

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x1543599387/Rivermens-Thompson-wins-Alaska-head-coaching-job

Hope he likes the weather and travel.

[Lazer]

I never heard of two different leagues playing each other. I see that the new IHL Dayton Gems will play a preseason game against the new ECHL Toledo Walleye team.

http://newstalkradiowhio.com/localnews/2009/07/gems-announce-preseason-schedu.html

[Lazer]

Victoria Salmon Kings sign Dirk Southern.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3873157

July 27, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL) Victoria Salmon Kings


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, announce that they have signed forward Dirk Southern for the 2009-10 season.

Southern's rights were acquired on July 7, 2009 from the Gwinnett Gladiators in exchange for former Salmon King defenseman Aaron Brocklehurst.


The 6-1, 195lb Southern is the son of Manitoba Moose's Director of Player Personnel, Bruce Southern.


"Our relationship with the Manitoba Moose continues to strengthen our team, as the signing of Dirk illustrates," General Manager and Head Coach Mark Morrison said. "Manitoba's scouting is second to none and to be able to solicit the expertise and advice of Craig Heisinger (Senior Vice President and General Manager) and Bruce Southern is invaluable. Bruce and Craig spend their seasons scouting the AHL, ECHL, NCAA, CIS and Major Junior. They then supply us with information on these players. It is of great benefit to our organization."


Southern split last season between the Gladiators and Manitoba Moose during the 2008-09 season. The 25-year-old collected 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points in 51 games in Gwinnett. While with the Moose he suited up for 17 games garnering four points (3g-1a). During the Kelly Cup playoffs he scored a goal and added an assist in five games.


The Winnipeg, MB native will be entering his fourth professional season. He began his professional career with the Augusta Lynx. For his pro career he has played in 152 games notching 32 goals and 61 assists for 93 points with 83 minutes in penalties.


Southern was drafted in the seventh round (#218 overall) by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.


Prior to turning pro he spent four years at Northern Michigan University with the Wildcats in the CCHA. During his time in Marquette, MI he played in a 149 games and collected 122 points (42g-80a). He was named to the All-Rookie team during the 2002-03 season and as a senior he was named the team's top forward. He also garnered CCHA Player of the Month honours during February of his junior year.


Season tickets for the Salmon Kings 2009-10 season are on sale. The Salmon Kings kick off their home schedule on October 21st when the Bakersfield Condors come to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Catch all the action by calling 250-220-7889, emailing seasontickets@salmonkings.com or by visiting www.salmonkings.com for more information.

[Lazer]

The Johnstown Chiefs just can't catch a break, lose their head coach.

http://www.tribune-democrat.com/sports/local_story_214001119.html

[aardvark]

I never heard of two different leagues playing each other. I see that the new IHL Dayton Gems will play a preseason game against the new ECHL Toledo Walleye team.

http://newstalkradiowhio.com/localnews/2009/07/gems-announce-preseason-schedu.html

Some years ago, the WCHL played games against the CHL, and those games did count in the standings. I remember the San Diego Gulls playing Oklahoma City--at the time, they were the class of their respective leagues. Of course, neither team exists anymore--I really wish we had hockey in San Diego again.

[Lazer]

Toledo Walleye reach affiliation agreement with Detroit Red Wings

http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=10837168

Toledo Walleye reach affiliation agreement with Detroit Red Wings
Posted: Aug 03, 2009 8:01 AM PDT

(TOLEDO, OH) - The Toledo Walleye are pleased to announce that they have reached an affiliation agreement with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League for the 2009-10 season.

Under terms of the agreement, Detroit will assign contracted players to the Walleye.

With an emphasis on player development, the Walleye will serve as the Red Wings ECHL affiliate. The Walleye will also work and develop prospects with Detroit's American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Joe Napoli, Walleye President/General Manager, discussed the affiliation, "We are thrilled to be affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings and Hockeytown...83 years of hockey and 11 Stanley Cups says it all. The Detroit Red Wings set the standards for all to follow."

"In today's National Hockey League, developing young players is one of the most important aspects of a successful franchise," said Red Wings Vice President/Assistant General Manager Jim Nill. "The affiliation with Toledo has been a key component of that process for the Red Wings and we're very pleased to continue our alliance for another season."

Walleye Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Nick Vitucci added, "We have been very fortunate to have a long history of working with the Detroit Red Wings and are thrilled to be able to call them an affiliate once again. The Red Wings are an organization that is very well respected by everyone in the hockey world. The opportunity to be working with and helping to develop their young prospects is very exciting."

[Lazer]

Cyclones Trade For Alaska’s Doug Krantz

Date: 08/03/2009



CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cincinnati Cyclones announced this afternoon that they have completed a trade with the Alaska Aces. The deal brings defenseman Doug Krantz to the Queen City, while forward Justin Johnson heads to Alaska. The Cyclones are the ECHL affiliate for the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators.



Krantz, 25, begins his second professional season after playing his rookie campaign with North Division rival Wheeling. He collected three goals and 21 assists for 24 points in 66 games with the Nailers. Doug collected two goals and six assists for eight points in eight games against Cincinnati in the regular season. He had one two-goal game as a rookie, a pair of lamplighters in a 10-4 loss at U.S. Bank Arena against the Cyclones on Jan. 14. In the opening round of the North Division playoffs he had a goal and three assists for four points in the seven game series loss to Cincinnati. The highlight being a two assist contest in game six to force the decisive game. He was acquired by Alaska from Wheeling earlier in the off-season.




The six-foot-three, 195 pounder from Marysville, BC played his college hockey at Cornell. With the Big Red, Krantz played in 131 games and netted 15 goals and 23 assists for 38 points while earning four varsity letters. A two-time All-Academic selection by the ECAC, Doug was also a two-time winner of the Earle Award for academic success at Cornell. Twice during his career the Big Red advanced to the NCAA tournament and both times they exited in the second round with an overtime loss. In 2004-05, he was selected to the NCAA West Regional All-Tournament team. At the end of his senior season (2007-08), he joined Texas (CHL) and played eleven playoff games for the Brahmas, picking up a pair of assists.




Johnson was signed as a free agent by Cincinnati in early December and played 43 games with the club, netting twelve goals and ten assists for 22 points. He added 208 penalty minutes with the Cyclones to lead the ECHL with 259. Justin also fought a league-high 31 times.



“Doug Krantz has the potential to develop into a high-end puck moving defenseman who will help us on the blueline,” Cyclones Head Coach Chuck Weber said. “We were happy to be able to honor Justin’s request to be traded to his hometown.”



Tickets for the 2009-10 Cincinnati Cyclones season are now on sale. The Cyclones Sales Department can be reached at 513-421-PUCK, extension 3. The Cyclones open the season at Elmira on Friday, October 16 and after three road games, host their home opener at U.S. Bank Arena against Wheeling on Saturday, October 24 at 7:30pm. There will be a special divisional championship banner raising ceremony prior to that game.

[Lazer]

VICTORIA :DSALMON KINGS CATCH BEAR TRAPP :D

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3899609

SALMON KINGS CATCH BEAR TRAPP
September 3, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL) Victoria Salmon Kings


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, announce that they have signed forward Bear Trapp for the 2009-10 season.

The 6'0"-185 lb Trapp spent the last four seasons with the Sacred Heart University Pioneers in Fairfield, CT. During the 2008-09 season he participated in 36 games as a Pioneer. Trapp scored 10 goals and added 23 assists for 33 points while adding 54 minutes in penalties for his senior season.


"Bear put up good numbers throughout his college career in a very tough league," General Manager and Head Coach Mark Morrison said. "We expect him to contribute offensively while playing solid two-way hockey."


At the conclusion of his career at Sacred Heart he joined the Elmira Jackals for the end of the ECHL season. He dressed for six games with the Jackals notching three goals and one assist for four points with 5 minutes in penalties. Trapp also played in one Kelly Cup Playoff game this past spring tallying no points or penalties.


Between 2005-06 and 2007-08 the Regina, SK native played three full seasons at Sacred Heart University. His most productive campaign was his first, where he scored 43 points (16g-27a) in 34 games while accumulating 67 penalty minutes and was named the Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year. In 140 career games in the NCAA Trapp scored 156 points (56g-100a) with 228 minutes in penalties. In each of his final two season at Sacred Heart Trapp was nominated for the Hobey Baker award as the top U.S. collegiate hockey player.


Prior to moving to the NCAA, the 24-year-old spent time playing in both the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) for the Estevan Bruins and the Melville Millionaires. In 2004-05, his lone season with the Bruins, Trapp notched 73 points (28g-45a) in 50 games with 65 penalty minutes. His first two seasons of junior hockey in Melville saw the forward play in 104 contests scoring 70 points (22g-48a) while accruing 139 minutes in penalties.


Season tickets for the Salmon Kings 2009-10 season are on sale. The Salmon Kings kick off their home schedule on October 21st when the Bakersfield Condors come to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Catch all the action by calling 250-220-7889, emailing seasontickets@salmonkings.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by visiting www.salmonkings.com for more information.

[Lazer]

ECHL Preseason Schedule Announced

http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news2&cat=1&id=19499

September 3, 2009

PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL announced its preseason schedule of 21 games beginning Oct. 7 and continuing through Oct. 11.

Teams report for training camp on Oct. 1 and on-ice workouts may begin on Oct. 2.

The preseason opens Oct. 7 with the Johnstown Chiefs, who have been a member of the league for all 22 seasons, visiting the Wheeling Nailers and the defending National Conference champion Alaska Aces hosting the Kalamazoo Wings, who are the league’s newest member.

The Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League will open its 22nd season on Oct. 15 when the Reading Royals host the Kalamazoo Wings. There will be seven games from South Carolina to Alaska on Oct. 16 and nine games on Oct. 17 before the opening weekend concludes with four games on Oct. 18.

The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL is the only minor professional hockey league to increase average attendance each of the last two seasons. The ECHL averaged more than 4,000 fans the last five seasons and 17 times in the last 19 years and has drawn more than 3 million fans each of the last 16 seasons. Stockton led the league with 6,218 per game and 223,854 fans in 2008-09 becoming the first team to lead the ECHL in attendance four years in a row since Florida led the league for a record five straight years from 2000-05.

The Ontario Reign, the City of Ontario and Citizens Business Bank Arena will host the 18th Annual ECHL All-Star Game presented by Reebok on Jan. 20, 2010 and the 13th Annual All-Star Skills Competition presented by Reebok on Jan. 19, 2010. Ontario, which drew more than 27,000 for its final three home games including a team record 9,659 on Mar. 7, finished second in the league in its first season with 5,856 per game.

2009 ECHL Preseason Schedule (Start Times are Local)

Wednesday, Oct. 7
Kalamazoo at Alaska, 7:15 p.m.
Johnstown at Wheeling, 7:05 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 8
Kalamazoo at Alaska, 7:15 p.m.
Toledo at Dayton (IHL), 7:35 p.m.
Ontario at Las Vegas, 7:30 p.m.
Bakersfield at Stockton, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 9
Toledo at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Trenton at Elmira, 7:35 p.m.
Gwinnett at Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Las Vegas at Ontario, 7 p.m.
Charlotte vs. South Carolina (Carolina Ice Palace), 7 p.m.
Idaho vs. Utah (Eccles Ice Center in Logan, Utah), 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 10
Stockton at Bakersfield, 7 p.m.
South Carolina vs. Charlotte (Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, N.C.), 1:30 p.m.
Reading at Elmira, 7:35 p.m.
Gwinnett at Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Utah vs. Idaho (Manchester Ice Center in McCall, Idaho), 7 p.m.
Wheeling at Johnstown, 6:05 p.m.
Cincinnati vs. Toledo (Tam-O-Shanter in Sylvania, Ohio), 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 11
Trenton at Reading, 5 p.m.
Port Huron at Toledo (Team Toledo Ice House), 4 p.m.

[Lazer]

Jeff Lerg looking forward to his NHL challenge.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090906/GW03/909060615/1023/GW

Ex-MSU goalie reports to N.J. camp this week
Neil Koepke • nkoepke@lsj.com • September 6, 2009

Post a Comment RecommendPrint this pageE-mail this articleShare
Del.icio.usFacebookDiggRedditNewsvineBuzz up!Twitter

EAST LANSING - Jeff Lerg has been here before.


Trying to prove he can excel as an undersized goaltender is a challenge Lerg has faced at every level of his hockey career.

The 5-foot-6, 155-pound former Michigan State goalie proved the skeptics wrong when he first played bantam hockey, midgets, juniors and college.

He not only showed he could play as the smallest player on his team, he developed into an elite-level goaltender through his great work ethic, overall skills and preparation.

Simply put, he stopped the puck effectively and consistently and helped his teams win a lot of games and piled up a lot awards along the way.

Now that his college career is over, the MSU graduate is on to the next challenge - likely the toughest of them all:

Prove he can play in the National Hockey League, where most goalies are 6-foot or taller and the shortest last season stood 5-foot-10.

"I think it's an attainable goal. I just want the opportunity to play and then take advantage of it by playing well,'' said Lerg, who will start his pro career in the New Jersey Devils organization.

"If I can do what I've done in the past and win a lot of games, I don't see why not.''

Lerg, the Spartans' most valuable player for the past three seasons and a second-team NCAA West All-American and Hobey Baker Award finalist as a junior, signed a one-year contract with the Devils on July 31. He begins his first training camp on Wednesday.

Lerg, 23, is expected to play with either the Devils' top farm team - the Lowell Devils of the American Hockey League - or New Jersey's second-tier farm club, the Trenton Devils of the East Coast Hockey League.

"It's a process. I know I'm not going to play in the NHL next year,'' Lerg said. "My hope is to work hard, improve and develop and maybe open some eyes for the future.

"You have to produce wins. If I can get to a point where I can win a lot of games, people will notice and hopefully, I'll get rewarded.''

Odds are against him
Lerg has spent the past five months rehabilitating from ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery on his right knee. He said he's 100 percent recovered and felt good taking shots against the Spartans' NHL and minor league players at the annual MSU pro camp last month at Munn Arena.

"I felt very comfortable against the NHL guys,'' he said. "I've never been to a prospects camp or rookie camp, but I didn't feel out of my element.''

The odds of making the NHL are certainly against Lerg. Most NHL teams don't project small goaltenders having success. The Devils were the only NHL organization interested in signing the Livonia native whose stellar play led the Spartans to the 2007 NCAA championship.

In the NHL last season, of the top 45 goaltenders with the best goals-against averages, who've played at least 27 games, only six were below 6-foot. The shortest were 5-foot-10: Chris Osgood of the Red Wings, Manny Legace (St. Louis) and Vesa Toskala (Toronto).

Most NHL general managers, scouts and coaches believe smaller goaltenders aren't as effective because they can't cover as much of the net, are vulnerable to high shots when they leave their feet and get pushed around by players crowding the goal crease.

Lerg hopes to be able to overcome his size through his quickness, puck control and ability to read plays.

"One of the tough things for a small goalie is traffic in front of the net and screen shots and tips,'' he said. "Smaller goalies have to be better in reactions. But quickness is my game.''

David Conte, the Devils executive vice president of hockey operations and director of scouting, said he's eager to see how Lerg adapts at the minor league level.

"His biggest challenge is that he's small and always fighting the odds and perceptions,'' Conte said. "All of our investigations have led us to believe that this is a very special young man, not only in terms of athleticism but also personality, character and leadership.

"The door is open for forwards, defensemen and goalies but it opens quicker for bigger guys. But Jeff had that challenge when he went to Michigan State.

"He either stops the puck or he doesn't,'' Conte added. ''Management doesn't always pick the team. Usually, the players pick the team.''

The Devils, known for drafting and signing U.S. college players, don't have a lot of goaltenders in their organization.

Their No. 1 goalie is Martin Brodeur, 37, the future Hall-of-Famer starting his 16th season in the NHL. His backup will be Yan Danis, 28, who played at Brown University, and was signed this summer as a free agent.

Jeff Frazee, 22, who played at the University of Minnesota, appeared in 58 games for Lowell last season and is expected to be the starter in Lowell again this year.

That leaves Lerg to compete with 6-foot-4 Gerald Coleman, 24, once a highly rated junior prospect, for a spot in Lowell. Coleman, a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, played in 40 games last year with Trenton.

"My goal is definitely to play in Lowell, to start at that level,'' Lerg said. "But if Jeff Frazee, who the Devils like a lot, plays most of the games, then I wonder if it wouldn't be better to play in the Trenton in the ECHL, and play in 65 games or so.

"If I do get sent down to the ECHL, my goals will be the same: improve, win a lot of games and show that I can get into the playoffs and win championships.''

Justin Abdelkader, Lerg's former MSU teammate who just finished his first season in pro hockey in the Red Wings organization in Grand Rapids of the AHL, is certain Lerg will be successful in the AHL.

"He definitely can play in the AHL and we'll just have to see about the NHL. He just needs a chance to prove what he can do,'' Abdelkader said.

"Jeff has the work ethic to play at a high level and he moves really well. Side-to-side, he's as good as I've ever seen. ''

Brian Renfrew, the Spartans' goaltender coach, expects Lerg will need time early on to adjust to the speed and quickness of pro hockey.

"Pro shooters are so much more patient. In college, Jeff could come out and set up quickly, but he won't be able to do that as soon because the puck moves east to west a lot quicker,'' said Renfrew, who's 5-foot-9 and played five seasons of minor-league hockey after a solid, four-year career at Western Michigan.

"There are things he'll have to figure out and work on. But Jeff is so mentally tough, he can do it.''

Said Lerg, "This is a whole new world. It's a big year for me to learn a ton.''

[D.Skype]

Ok, with 3 teams already folding or suspending operations this season, Im getting a little concerned and have to ask...Is the ECHL dying? Are they going to be around much longer or is it going to take a lot more yet before things get really bad?

[Lazer]

Ok, with 3 teams already folding or suspending operations this season, Im getting a little concerned and have to ask...Is the ECHL dying? Are they going to be around much longer or is it going to take a lot more yet before things get really bad?

No the ECHL will not be dying, with fewer teams in the ECHL and not as many players going over to Europe, alot of good players are looking for a job in the AHL or ECHL. It seems to me that scoring is going up and the games are faster.

[Nickyrash]

Thank you for the wonderfull information it helped me a lot if you are having still more tips pleace share with me.

.........................
Wireless long range audio video receivers and transmitters (http://www.endoacustica.com/receivers_transmitters_en.htm)

[ACsurfan]

How long can the Trenton Devils stay in business?

[Lazer]

Trenton will be around as long as the NJ Devils keep paying the bills and want to keep sending players down. It also helps that the team is close in travel to the NHL team. I feel that NHL teams are looking at the ECHL as a lower cost option, to keeping their players around longer and playing more minutes. IMO.

[Lazer]

Raymond Selected To Coach At ECHL All-Star Game

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3946744

[Lazer]

The Victoria Salmon Kings have 26 wins- 8 losses - 4 OTL - 1 SOL in their last 39 games, after starting the season with 1 win & 9 losses.

It all started back with great goaltending, hard work and Wes Goldie.

http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/player.php?id=149

[Lazer]

Jeff Lerg looking forward to his NHL challenge.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090906/GW03/909060615/1023/GW

Ex-MSU goalie reports to N.J. camp this week
Neil Koepke • nkoepke@lsj.com • September 6, 2009

Post a Comment RecommendPrint this pageE-mail this articleShare
Del.icio.usFacebookDiggRedditNewsvineBuzz up!Twitter

EAST LANSING - Jeff Lerg has been here before.


Trying to prove he can excel as an undersized goaltender is a challenge Lerg has faced at every level of his hockey career.

The 5-foot-6, 155-pound former Michigan State goalie proved the skeptics wrong when he first played bantam hockey, midgets, juniors and college.

He not only showed he could play as the smallest player on his team, he developed into an elite-level goaltender through his great work ethic, overall skills and preparation.

Simply put, he stopped the puck effectively and consistently and helped his teams win a lot of games and piled up a lot awards along the way.

Now that his college career is over, the MSU graduate is on to the next challenge - likely the toughest of them all:

Prove he can play in the National Hockey League, where most goalies are 6-foot or taller and the shortest last season stood 5-foot-10.

"I think it's an attainable goal. I just want the opportunity to play and then take advantage of it by playing well,'' said Lerg, who will start his pro career in the New Jersey Devils organization.

"If I can do what I've done in the past and win a lot of games, I don't see why not.''

Lerg, the Spartans' most valuable player for the past three seasons and a second-team NCAA West All-American and Hobey Baker Award finalist as a junior, signed a one-year contract with the Devils on July 31. He begins his first training camp on Wednesday.

Lerg, 23, is expected to play with either the Devils' top farm team - the Lowell Devils of the American Hockey League - or New Jersey's second-tier farm club, the Trenton Devils of the East Coast Hockey League.

"It's a process. I know I'm not going to play in the NHL next year,'' Lerg said. "My hope is to work hard, improve and develop and maybe open some eyes for the future.

"You have to produce wins. If I can get to a point where I can win a lot of games, people will notice and hopefully, I'll get rewarded.''

Odds are against him
Lerg has spent the past five months rehabilitating from ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery on his right knee. He said he's 100 percent recovered and felt good taking shots against the Spartans' NHL and minor league players at the annual MSU pro camp last month at Munn Arena.

"I felt very comfortable against the NHL guys,'' he said. "I've never been to a prospects camp or rookie camp, but I didn't feel out of my element.''

The odds of making the NHL are certainly against Lerg. Most NHL teams don't project small goaltenders having success. The Devils were the only NHL organization interested in signing the Livonia native whose stellar play led the Spartans to the 2007 NCAA championship.

In the NHL last season, of the top 45 goaltenders with the best goals-against averages, who've played at least 27 games, only six were below 6-foot. The shortest were 5-foot-10: Chris Osgood of the Red Wings, Manny Legace (St. Louis) and Vesa Toskala (Toronto).

Most NHL general managers, scouts and coaches believe smaller goaltenders aren't as effective because they can't cover as much of the net, are vulnerable to high shots when they leave their feet and get pushed around by players crowding the goal crease.

Lerg hopes to be able to overcome his size through his quickness, puck control and ability to read plays.

"One of the tough things for a small goalie is traffic in front of the net and screen shots and tips,'' he said. "Smaller goalies have to be better in reactions. But quickness is my game.''

David Conte, the Devils executive vice president of hockey operations and director of scouting, said he's eager to see how Lerg adapts at the minor league level.

"His biggest challenge is that he's small and always fighting the odds and perceptions,'' Conte said. "All of our investigations have led us to believe that this is a very special young man, not only in terms of athleticism but also personality, character and leadership.

"The door is open for forwards, defensemen and goalies but it opens quicker for bigger guys. But Jeff had that challenge when he went to Michigan State.

"He either stops the puck or he doesn't,'' Conte added. ''Management doesn't always pick the team. Usually, the players pick the team.''

The Devils, known for drafting and signing U.S. college players, don't have a lot of goaltenders in their organization.

Their No. 1 goalie is Martin Brodeur, 37, the future Hall-of-Famer starting his 16th season in the NHL. His backup will be Yan Danis, 28, who played at Brown University, and was signed this summer as a free agent.

Jeff Frazee, 22, who played at the University of Minnesota, appeared in 58 games for Lowell last season and is expected to be the starter in Lowell again this year.

That leaves Lerg to compete with 6-foot-4 Gerald Coleman, 24, once a highly rated junior prospect, for a spot in Lowell. Coleman, a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, played in 40 games last year with Trenton.

"My goal is definitely to play in Lowell, to start at that level,'' Lerg said. "But if Jeff Frazee, who the Devils like a lot, plays most of the games, then I wonder if it wouldn't be better to play in the Trenton in the ECHL, and play in 65 games or so.

"If I do get sent down to the ECHL, my goals will be the same: improve, win a lot of games and show that I can get into the playoffs and win championships.''

Justin Abdelkader, Lerg's former MSU teammate who just finished his first season in pro hockey in the Red Wings organization in Grand Rapids of the AHL, is certain Lerg will be successful in the AHL.

"He definitely can play in the AHL and we'll just have to see about the NHL. He just needs a chance to prove what he can do,'' Abdelkader said.

"Jeff has the work ethic to play at a high level and he moves really well. Side-to-side, he's as good as I've ever seen. ''

Brian Renfrew, the Spartans' goaltender coach, expects Lerg will need time early on to adjust to the speed and quickness of pro hockey.

"Pro shooters are so much more patient. In college, Jeff could come out and set up quickly, but he won't be able to do that as soon because the puck moves east to west a lot quicker,'' said Renfrew, who's 5-foot-9 and played five seasons of minor-league hockey after a solid, four-year career at Western Michigan.

"There are things he'll have to figure out and work on. But Jeff is so mentally tough, he can do it.''

Said Lerg, "This is a whole new world. It's a big year for me to learn a ton.''

More on Jeff Lerg and the ECHL.

http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2010/02/11/sports/doc4b734b51bf29c668885732.txt

[HockeyRulez]

They can emphasize all they want. I'm still not so sure they are the "top" AA
hockey league in America. The IHL & CHL play a pretty good brand of hockey,
with only minimal affiliations. Keeping players in the medium to small markets,
keeps fans coming back to the arena's.

Dear god, the IHL is garbage and NEEDS to fold!

[HockeyRulez]

How long can the Trenton Devils stay in business?

You know who should really be worried is Wheeling, Cincy and reading!