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68 ECHL Players On NHL Opening-Day Rosters

Published on October 3, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release


PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL has 68 players on National Hockey League opening-day rosters, surpassing the record 57 players a year ago and marking the fifth consecutive season that there have been more than 50 former ECHL players on opening-day rosters.

The total does not include Bates Battaglia, Curtis Brown, Scott Gomez and Mark Smith, who all played in the ECHL for the first time during the NHL lockout in 2004-05.

The Premier 'AA' Hockey League, the ECHL has former players on 29 of the 30 teams and has affiliations with 26 of the 30 teams in the NHL, marking the 11th consecutive season that the league has had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL.

There were 26 former ECHL players who made their NHL debut last season, including two who played in both the ECHL and the NHL as goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji took the ice for Reading and Los Angeles while defenseman Bryan Young played for Stockton and Edmonton. Dave McKee played for Augusta and dressed as the backup goaltender for five games with Stanley Cup champion Anaheim.

As the NHL season opens, there have been 329 former ECHL players who have gone on to play in the NHL after playing in the ECHL, including 184 who have played their first game in the NHL in the past five seasons.

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.

Players in italics have never played in NHL
(IR) - Injured Reserve

Former ECHL Coaches and Players On NHL Opening Day Rosters:

Anaheim (Augusta Lynx) - Assistant coach Dave Farrish (Louisiana, 2000-04 and Pensacola, 2004-05), Francois Beauchemin (Mississippi, 2001-02) Shane Hnidy (Baton Rouge, 1996-97 and Florida, 2004-05) and George Parros (Reading, 2003-04).

Atlanta (Gwinnett Gladiators) - Eric Boulton (Charlotte, 1996-98; Florida, 1998-99 and Columbia, 2004-05) and Johan Hedberg (Baton Rouge, 1997-98).

Boston (Johnstown Chiefs) - Assistant coach Geoff Ward (Arkansas, 1999-2000), Glen Metropolit (Nashville, 1995-96 and Pensacola, 1996-97) and Tim Thomas (Birmingham, 1997-98).

Buffalo - Associate coach Brian McCutcheon (Columbus, 1996-97).

Calgary (Las Vegas Wranglers) - Associate coach Jim Playfair (Dayton, 1994-95), Brent Krahn (IR) (Las Vegas, 2003-04), Mark Smith (Victoria, 2004-05) and Warren Peters (Idaho, 2003-05).

Carolina (Florida Everblades) - Head coach Peter Laviolette (Wheeling, 1997-98) and Chad LaRose (Florida, 2003-04).

Chicago (Pensacola Ice Pilots) - Video coach Ryan Stewart (Greenville, 1998-2002 and 2003-04 and Florida, 2002-03), assistant coach John Torchetti, David Koci (Wheeling, 2001-03) and Patrick Lalime (Hampton Roads, 1994-95).

Colorado (Johnstown Chiefs) - Andrew Brunette (Hampton Roads, 1993-94), Jeff Finger (Reading, 2003-04), Ben Guite (Tallahassee, 2000-01) and Tyler Weiman (San Diego, 2005-06).

Columbus (Dayton Bombers) - Assistant coach Claude Noel (Roanoke, 1990-91, Dayton, 1991-93 and Toledo, 2002-03), Jody Shelley (Johnstown, 1998-2000) and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (Dayton, 2004-05).

Dallas (Idaho Steelheads) - Krys Barch (Richmond, 2001-02 and Greenville, 2004-06), Todd Fedoruk (Trenton, 1999-2000), Mike Smith (Lexington, 2002-03) and Francis Wathier (IR) (Idaho, 2006-07).

Detroit - Matt Ellis (Toledo, 2002-03).

Edmonton (Stockton Thunder) - Assistant coach Charlie Huddy (Huntington, 1996-97), Mathieu Roy (IR) (Columbus, 2003-04) and Tyler Spurgeon (IR) (Stockton, 2006-07).

Florida (Florida Everblades) - Rob Globke (Texas, 2004-05), Brett McLean (Johnstown, 1999-2000) and Tomas Vokoun (Wheeling, 1995-96).

Los Angeles (Reading Royals) - Assistant coach Jamie Kompon (Hampton Roads, 1989-90; Cincinnati, 1990-91 and Winston-Salem, 1990-91), Jean-Sebastien Aubin (IR) (Dayton, 1997-98), Raitis Ivanans (Pensacola, 1999-2000 and Toledo and Baton Rouge, 2001-02) and Jason LaBarbera (Charlotte, 2000-02).

Minnesota (Texas Wildcatters) - Video consultant Matt Shaw (Mobile, 1997-98) and Derek Boogaard (Louisiana, 2002-03).

Montreal (Cincinnati Cyclones) - Francis Bouillon (Wheeling, 1996-97), Michael Ryder (Tallahassee, 2000-01 and Mississippi, 2001-02) and Mark Streit (Tallahassee, 1999-2000).

Nashville (Cincinnati Cyclones) - Assistant coach Peter Horachek (Louisville, 1990-91 and Trenton, 2001-02), Dan Ellis, (Idaho, 2003-04), Vern Fiddler (Arkansas, 2000-01 and Roanoke, 2001-02) and Jerred Smithson (Trenton, 2000-01).

New Jersey Devils (Trenton Devils) - Sheldon Brookbank (Mississippi, 2001-02).

New York Islanders (Utah Grizzlies) - Assistant coach Daniel Lacroix, Darryl Bootland (Toledo, 2002-03) and Ruslan Fedotenko (Trenton, 1999-2000).

New York Rangers (Charlotte Checkers) - Daniel Girardi (Charlotte, 2005-06), Scott Gomez (Alaska, 2004-05), Thomas Pock (Charlotte, 2004-05) and Stephen Valiquette (Hampton Roads, 1998-99 and Trenton 1999-2000).

Ottawa Senators - Joe Corvo (Hampton Roads, 1998-99) and Chris Neil (Mobile, 1999-2000).

Philadelphia Flyers (Wheeling Nailers) - Martin Biron (South Carolina, 1997-98) and Riley Cote (Dayton, 2003-04).

Phoenix Coyotes - David Aebischer (Chesapeake and Wheeling, 1997-98), Alex Auld (Columbia, 2001-02), Daniel Carcillo (Wheeling, 2005-06), Josh Gratton (IR) (San Diego, 2003-04 and Trenton, 2004-05), Craig Weller (Charlotte, 2002-03) and Daniel Winnik (Phoenix, 2006-07).

Pittsburg Penguins (Wheeling Nailers) - Dany Sabourin (Johnstown, 2000-02; Las Vegas, 2003-04 and Wheeling 2004-05).

St. Louis Blues (Alaska Aces) - D.J. King (Alaska, 2005-06), Manny Legace (Richmond, 1996-97) and Matt Walker (Peoria, 2000-01).

San Jose (Fresno Falcons) - Curtis Brown (San Diego, 2004-05), Dmitri Patzold (Johnstown, 2003-04 and Fresno, 2006-07) and Patrick Rissmiller (Cincinnati, 2002-03).

Tampa Bay Lightning (Mississippi Sea Wolves) - Ryan Craig (IR) (Pensacola, 2003-04), Johan Holmqvist (Charlotte, 2002-03), Michel Ouellet (Wheeling, 2002-03) and Andre Roy (Charlotte, 1997-98).

Toronto Maple Leafs (Columbia Inferno) - Bates Battaglia (Mississippi, 2004-05) and Kris Newbury (Pensacola, 2004-05).

Vancouver Canucks (Victoria Salmon Kings) - Assistant Coach Barry Smith (Erie, 1992-96 and Baton Rouge, 1997-2000), Alexandre Burrows (Greenville, 2002-03; Baton Rouge, 2002-03 and Columbia, 2003-05), Jeff Cowan (Roanoke, 1996-97) and Curtis Sanford (Peoria 2000-02).

Washington Capitals (South Carolina Stingrays) - Olaf Kolzig (Hampton Roads, 1990-92).

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