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165 Players, 13 Coaches Represent ECHL In AHL Playoffs

Published on April 23, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release


PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL is represented by 165 players, five head coaches and eight assistant coaches in the American Hockey League Calder Cup Playoffs. Each of the 16 teams in the AHL playoffs have at least six players on their roster led by Hartford with 17 players and Albany and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with 16 players each.

It is the third season in a row that there have been more than 150 former ECHL players and it is the sixth straight year that there have been over 10 former ECHL coaches behind the bench in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

For the 18th consecutive season in 2006-07, the ECHL was represented on the AHL winner as the Hamilton Bulldogs had 12 players with ECHL experience including seven players who played in the ECHL in the 2006-07 season with Mathieu Aubin, Jimmy Bonneau, Cedrick Desjardins, Jon Gleed, Greg Stewart and Cory Urquhart, who all played for the Cincinnati Cyclones, and Troy Bodie, who played for Stockton.

The ECHL has affiliations with 26 of the 29 teams in the AHL, marking the seventh consecutive season that it has had affiliations with 20 or more teams in the AHL. In the last six seasons the ECHL has had more call ups to the AHL than all other professional leagues combined with more than 2,300 call ups involving more than 1,200 players. In each of the last three seasons there have been more than 225 players who have played in both the ECHL and the AHL in the same season. The AHL has 10 former ECHL coaches who are head coaches and 14 others who are assistant coaches while almost 500 players with ECHL experience have played in the league this season.

Seven times in the last eight years the winner of the AHL Coach of the Year award has been a former ECHL coach including the last three selections with Scott Gordon, Mike Haviland and Kevin Dineen. Former ECHL coaches won the award four consecutive years from 2001-04 with Don Granato, Bruce Cassidy, Geoff Ward and Claude Noel. The first former ECHL coach to win the award was current Carolina Hurricanes head coach Peter Laviolette in 1999.

Former Toledo defenseman Andrew Hutchinson was named as the outstanding defenseman for 2007-08 while former Reading goaltender Barry Brust and former Fresno goaltender Nolan Schaefer won the award for fewest goals allowed.

Former Toledo defenseman Andrew Hutchinson, former Jackson defenseman Lawrence Nycholat and former Louisiana and Gwinnett left wing Pascal Pelletier were named to the First Team All-AHL and former Toledo goaltender Drew MacIntyre, former Greenville center Martin St. Pierre and former Augusta right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau were selected to the Second Team All-AHL.

Former ECHL players won the CCM/AHL Player of the Month award in November (Martin St. Pierre), December (Pascal Pelletier) and January (Grant Stevenson). Trevor Smith, who played in the ECHL with Utah this season, was the Rbk Edge/AHL Rookie of the Month for January while John Curry, who played this year for both Las Vegas and Wheeling, was the winner in December. The Rbk Hockey/AHL Player of the Week award was won eight times by former ECHL players.

Here is a list of the teams in the Calder Cup Playoffs who have ECHL representatives. The ECHL affiliate, where applicable, is listed in parenthesis.

Albany River Rats - Marc Cavosie (Columbia and Reading, 2007-08), Mike Angelidis (Florida, 2006-07), Brandon Nolan (Columbia, 2003-04 and 2005-06), Kiel McLeod (Trenton, 2005-06 and Victoria, 2006-08), Jakub Petruzalek (Charlotte, 2006-07), Joe Jensen (Wheeling, 2006-08), Jamie Johnson (Louisiana, 2003-04 and Augusta, 2004-07), Pat Dwyer (Gwinnett, 2004-05), Kirk MacDonald (Florida, 2007-08), Trevor Gillies (Mississippi, 1999-2000; Greensboro, 2000-01; Augusta, 2001-02 and 2006-07; Richmond, 2001-03 and Peoria, 2002-03), Mark Flood (Dayton, 2005-06), David Cornacchia (Mississippi, 2001-03; Idaho, 2003-05 and Florida, 2007-08), Brett Carson (Florida, 2006-07), Steve Ward (Florida, 2007-08), Bryan Rodney (Charlotte 2005-07; Columbia, 2006-08 and Elmira, 2007-08) and Justin Peters (Florida, 2006-08).

Chicago Wolves - Jesse Schultz (Columbia, 2003-04), Andre Deveaux (Johnstown, 2005-07), Kevin Doell (Gwinnett, 2003-05), Colin Stuart (Gwinnett, 2004-05), Brian Fahey (Atlantic City, 2003-05 and Idaho, 2005-06), Brian Sipotz (Gwinnett, 2004-05), Scott Lehman (Gwinnett, 2006-08), and Robert Gherson (Columbia, 2005-07).

Hartford Wolf Pack - Assistant Coach J.J. Daigneault (Phoenix, 2005-06), Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (Augusta, 2005-06), Josh Gratton (San Diego, 2003-04 and Trenton, 2004-05), Hugh Jessiman (Charlotte, 2005-07), Mitch Fritz (Tallahassee, 2000-01 and Columbus, 2001-04), Mike Ouellette (Charlotte, 2006-08), Jordan Owens (Charlotte, 2007-08), Tommy Pyatt (Charlotte, 2007-08), Mark Lee (Trenton, 2005-06 and Charlotte, 2006-08), Dave Liffiton (Charlotte, 2004-05), Corey Potter (Charlotte, 2006-07), Andrew Hutchinson (Toledo, 2002-03), Jake Taylor (Charlotte, 2004-05 and 2006-07), Ryan Constant (Charlotte, 2006-08), Thomas Park (Charlotte, 2004-05), Matt Zaba (Charlotte, 2007-08 and Idaho, 2007-08), Chris Holt (Charlotte, 2005-08) and Miika Wiikman (Charlotte, 2007-08).

Hershey Bears - Head Coach Bob Woods (Tallahassee, 1997-98 and Mississippi, 1998-05), Assistant Coach Mark French (Atlantic City, 2004-05), Andrew Gordon (South Carolina, 2007-08), Steve Pinizzotto (South Carolina, 2007-08), Shawn Collymore (Toledo, 2004-05 and Reading, 2006-08), Jason Morgan (Mississippi, 1996-97 and Florida 1999-2001), Kyle Wilson (South Carolina, 2006-07), Matt Beaudoin (Las Vegas, 2007-08 and Dayton, 2007-08), Ryan Flinn (Reading, 2001-02), Jay Beagle (Idaho, 2006-07), Tyler Sloan (Dayton, 2002-03 and 2004-05 and Las Vegas, 2005-06), Jonathan Paiement (Texas, 2006-08), Grant McNeill (Texas, 2004-05; Florida, 2005-06; Wheeling, 2006-07 and South Carolina, 2007-08), Patrick McNeill (South Carolina, 2007-08), Dean Arsene (Charlotte, 2001-02 and Reading, 2003-04) and Daren Machesney (South Carolina, 2006-07).

Houston Aeros - Assistant Coach Troy Ward (Trenton, 2000-01 and Victoria, 2005-06), Marco Rosa (Long Beach, 2004-06 and Texas, 2006-08), Morten Madsen (Texas, 2007-08), Ross Carlson (Texas, 2007-08), Matt Kassian (Texas, 2007-08), Jon Awe (Gwinnett, 2005-08), Paul Albers (Texas, 2006-07), John Adams (Florida, 2005-06; Johnstown, 2006-07 and Texas, 2007-08), Maxim Noreau (Texas, 2007-08), Nolan Schaefer (Fresno, 2003-04) and Barry Brust (Reading, 2004-06).

Manchester Monarchs - Petr Kanko (Reading, 2007-08), Scott Parse (Reading, 2007-08), Paul Crosty (Toledo, 2006-07), Drew Bagnall (Reading, 2007-08), Jeff LIkens (Reading, 2007-08), Troy Milam (Gwinnett, 2003-04 and 2005-06 and Reading, 2004-05) and Jonathan Quick (Reading, 2007-08).

Manitoba Moose - Jason Jaffray (Roanoke, 2002-03 and Wheeling, 2003-05), Greg Rallo (Idaho, 2005-08), Alexandre Bolduc (Bakersfield, 2005-07), Daniel Rahimi (Victoria, 2007-08), Zack FitzGerald (Alaska, 2005-07), Shaun Heshka (Victoria, 2006-07), Maxime Fortunus (Louisiana, 2003-05), Jimmy Sharrow (Gwinnett, 2005-06) and Drew MacIntyre (Toledo, 2003-06).

Milwaukee Admirals - Ryan Maki (Cincinnati, 2007-08), John Laliberte (Trenton, 2006-07 and Augusta, 2007-08), James Sixsmith (Cincinnati, 2007-08), Kevin Ulanski (Long Beach, 2005-06; Phoenix, 2005-06 and Elmira, 2007-08), Bryan Schmidt (Reading, 2006-07 and Cincinnati, 2007-08), Gerard Miller (Cincinnati, 2007-08 and Phoenix, 2007-08), Mark Matheson (Cincinnati, 2007-08) and Dov Grumet-Morris (Cincinnati, 2006-08).

Philadelphia Phantoms - Assistant Coach Kjell Samuelsson (Trenton, 1999-2000), Assistant Coach Neil Little (Johnstown, 1994-95), Peter Zingoni (Trenton, 2005-06), David Laliberte (Wheeling, 2007-08), Jesse Boulerice (New Orleans, 1998-99 and Trenton, 1999-2000), Jared Ross (Gwinnett, 2005-06), Boyd Kane (Charlotte, 1998-2001), Chad Anderson (Las Vegas, 2006-07), Martin Grenier (Charlotte, 2004-05) and Martin Houle (Trenton, 2005-06 and Wheeling, 2007-08).

Portland Pirates - Head Coach Kevin Dineen (Dayton, 2004-05), Assistant Coach Gord Dineen (Macon, 2001-02 and Richmond, 2002-03), Geoff Peters (Columbus, 2001-02; Trenton, 2001-02; Reading, 2002-03 and Augusta, 2007-08), Ryan Dingle (Augusta, 2007-08), Simon Ferguson (Greenville, 2004-05 and Augusta, 2006-07), Mike Hoffman (Peoria, 2003-04), Geoff Platt (Atlantic City, 2004-05), Darryl Bootland (Toledo, 2002-03), Matt Christie (Augusta, 2007-08), Adrian Veideman (Augusta, 2007-08), Jay Leach (Mississippi, 2001-02; Augusta, 2002-03; Long Beach, 2003-04 and Trenton, 2003-05), Andy Schneider (Wheeling, 2005-06), Jean-Sebastien Aubin (Dayton, 1997-98), Gerald Coleman (Johnstown, 2006-07 and Augusta, 2007-08) and Mike McKenna (Las Vegas, 2005-07).

Providence Bruins - Head Coach Scott Gordon (Roanoke, 1998-99), Pascal Pelletier (Louisiana, 2004-05 and Gwinnett, 2004-06), Chris Collins (Long Beach, 2006-07), Matt Hendricks (Florida, 2004-05), T.J. Trevelyan (Long Beach, 2006-07), Steve MacIntyre (Charlotte, 2003-06), Sean Curry (Florida, 2002-03) and Brett Skinner (Augusta, 2006-07).

Rockford IceHogs - Head Coach Mike Haviland (Trenton, 1999-01; Atlantic City, 2001-04 and Trenton, 2004-05), Derek Nesbitt (Gwinnett, 2005-06 and 2007-08 and Idaho, 2006-07), Adam Berti (Pensacola, 2007-08), Martin St. Pierre (Greenville, 2004-05), Jerramie Domish (Atlantic City, 2003-04; Trenton, 2004-05 and 2006-07 and Charlotte, 2005-06), Ryan Stokes (Pensacola, 2004-05), Tyson Marsh (Pensacola, 2004-05 and Columbia, 2006-08), Wade Flaherty (Greensboro, 1989-90) and Mike Brodeur (Greenville, 2004-06; Augusta, 2006-07; Toledo, 2006-07 and Pensacola, 2007-08).

San Antonio Rampage - Head Coach Greg Ireland (Dayton, 1998-03), Assistant Coach Ray Edwards (Huntington, 1995-2000 and Cincinnati, 2001-02), Cam Paddock (Wheeling, 2004-06 and Phoenix, 2006-07), Joey Tenute (South Carolina, 2004-05), Steven Goertzen (Dayton, 2004-05), David Spina (South Carolina, 2005-06 and Johnstown, 2006-07), Chris Durno (Gwinnett, 2003-06), Adam Keefe (Toledo, 2005-06 and Victoria, 2006-07), Pete Vandermeer (Columbus, 1996-98 and Richmond, 1997-98 and 1999-2000), Josh Tordjman (Phoenix, 2006-07), and Al Montoya (Charlotte, 2005-06).

Syracuse Crunch - Zenon Konopka (Wheeling, 2002-03 and Idaho, 2003-04), Kirill Starkov (Elmira, 2007-08), Trevor Frischmon (Dayton, 2006-07 and Charlotte, 2007-08), Jon Mirasty (Bakersfield, 2003-05 and Greenville, 2004-05), Andrei Plekhanov (Elmira, 2007-08), Brett Motherwell (Elmira, 2007-08), Dan LaCosta (Dayton, 2006-07 and Elmira, 2007-08), Karl Goehring (Dayton, 2001-02) and Adam Munro (Gwinnett, 2003-04 and Atlantic City, 2004-05).

Toronto Marlies - Kris Newbury (Pensacola, 2004-05), Alex Foster (Columbia, 2006-07), Bates Battaglia (Mississippi, 2004-05), Michel Leveille (Columbia, 2007-08), Phil Oreskovic (Columbia, 2007-08) and Derrick Walser (Johnstown, 1998-2000).

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - Connor James (Bakersfield, 2004-05), Mark Letestu (Wheeling, 2007-08), Chris Minard (Pensacola, 2002-03 and Alaska, 2004-06), David Gove (Johnstown, 2001-02), Ned Havern (Trenton, 2005-06; Stockton, 2005-06 and Wheeling, 2006-08), Kurtis McLean (Wheeling, 2005-07), Paul Bissonnette (Wheeling, 2005-08), Tim Wallace (Wheeling, 2006-07), Jean-Michel Daoust (Cincinnati, 2006-08), Kyle Rank (Wheeling, 2007-08), Aaron Boogaard (Wheeling, 2007-08), Jon D'Aversa (Wheeling, 2007-08), Deryk Engelland (Las Vegas, 2003-05; South Carolina, 2005-06 and Reading, 2006-07), Mark Ardelan (South Carolina, 2004-05), John Curry (Las Vegas, 2007-08 and Wheeling, 2007-08) and David Brown (Wheeling, 2007-08).

ECHL
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2007-08, the ECHL is the Premier 'AA' Hockey League and the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League.

ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league with 25 teams playing 900 games in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08.

The league officially changed its name to ECHL on May 19, 2003.

The ECHL has affiliations with 26 of the 30 teams in the NHL in 2007-08, marking the 11th consecutive season that the league has had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL.

There have been 355 former ECHL players who have gone on to play in the NHL after playing in the ECHL, including 99 in the last three seasons. There have been 210 former ECHL players who have played their first game in the NHL in the past seven seasons.

There are 15 coaches in the NHL who have ECHL experience including former Wheeling coach Peter Laviolette, who is head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, and former Mississippi coach Bruce Boudreau, who is head coach of the Washington Capitals.

The ECHL is represented for the seventh consecutive year on the National Hockey League championship team in 2007 with Anaheim assistant coach Dave Farrish, players Francois Beauchemin and George Parros and broadcasters John Ahlers and Steve Carroll.

The ECHL has affiliations with 26 of the 29 teams in the American Hockey League in 2007-08 and for the past 18 years there has been an ECHL player on the Calder Cup champion.

In each of the last two seasons there have been more than 225 players who have played in both the ECHL and the AHL and there were over 800 call-ups involving more than 500 players. In the last five seasons the ECHL has had more call-ups to the AHL than all other professional leagues combined with over 2,000 call-ups involving more than 1,000 players since 2002-03.

Further information on the ECHL is available from its website at ECHL.com.

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