Aeros begin 15th season tonight at Toyota Center

Published on October 11, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


HOUSTON, Texas - The American Hockey League's (AHL) Houston Aeros will begin their 15th Anniversary Season Saturday at Toyota Center against the defending Calder Cup Champion Chicago Wolves. The puck will drop on the home opener at 7:35 PM, and tickets are still available by call (713) 974-PUCK or going to AEROS.com. Fans can tune into Joe O'Donnell to catch all of the action live on KNTH 1070-AM.

GAME NOTES Opening Night -The Houston Aeros embark on their 15th opening night in team history tonight when they take on the Chicago Wolves. Houston has lost their last two season opening games, both at home including a 4-2 loss to the Wolves last year. The Aeros are 5-6-3 all-time in season opening games and 5-7-2 in their home opener.

Key Returning Players -The Aeros opening day roster consists of 25 players, 16 of which played in an Aeros sweater during the 2007-08 season. Left wing Ryan Hamilton is in his third year with the club after having a good sophomore season in which he finished second on the team in goals with 20 and points with 39. Left wing Peter Olvecky enters his fourth season with the team and had a career-high 17 goals and 33 points last season. On the blue line, Brandon Rogers enters his second season with the club after finishing second on the team among defensemen with 28 points (4-24=28) in 2007-08. Marco Rosa, Cal Clutterbuck, Danny Irmen, Morten Madsen, Petr Kalus and Matt Kassian round out the forwards that are returning for the Aeros. Paul Albers, Maxim Noreau, Clayton Stoner and John Adams are the other returning defensemen.

Between the Pipes -The trio of goaltenders that allowed the fewest goals in the AHL last season return to Houston to open up the 2008-09 season. Nolan Schaefer, Barry Brust and Anton Khudobin combined for 11 shutouts last season, an Aeros' team record. Brust finished 24-16-3 last year and climbed into 10th place on the Aeros all-time record list for wins by a goaltender. Schaefer's 2.06 goals-against average was tops in the AHL as was his 6-0 record in shootouts. He allowed just six goals in 35 chances in the shootout.

Coaching Staff Returns -The Aeros return the entire coaching staff from the 2007-08 season headed by Kevin Constantine. Constantine led the Aeros to a 45-29-2-4 record last year and helped the Aeros to a team record 32-point improvement from the 2006-07 season. Troy G. Ward and Luke Strand return behind the bench for the Aeros providing a solid foundation for which the team can build on going into the 15th Anniversary Season.

New Faces -The Aeros added some scoring touch up front during the off-season. Houston welcomes former Chicago Wolves forward Jesse Schultz, former Quad City Flames center Krys Kolanos and former Hamilton Bulldogs center Corey Locke. All three players had more points than the Aeros leading scorer from a season ago (Joel Ward). Schultz won the Calder Cup last season with the Wolves and had 66 points (26-40=66) while playing in all 80 games. Kolanos finished with 63 points (30-33=66) and comes off his first 30-goal season. Locke, a 2007 Calder Cup champion with Hamilton had 72 points on 30 goals and 42 assists a year ago. On the blue line, the Aeros have added defensemen Mitch Love and rookies Justin Falk and Dane Crowley. Love played 59 games with the Lake Erie Monsters a season ago while racking up 213 penalty minutes.

Milestones -Jesse Schultz is playing in his 300th AHL game tonight. The first year Aero needs 10 goals to reach 100 in the AHL and he is just three points shy of 200 for his AHL career. Goaltender Barry Brust is just four games shy of 100 in the American Hockey League. Krys Kolanos needs five goals to reach 100 in the AHL. Brandon Rogers is three games shy of 200 for his AHL career. Peter Olvecky is two games shy of 200, all with the Aeros.

KNTH Joins Aeros -The Aeros newest broadcaster Joe O'Donnell will be on the air all season on KNTH - 1070 AM. O'Donnell joins the Aeros after broadcasting the past three seasons with the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads.

Lundbohm is Back -Center Bryan Lundbohm returns to the Aeros after playing overseas in 2007-08. This will be his third season in an Aeros sweater and the veteran scored nine goals and 21 assists in each of his first two seasons with the Aeros for a total of 60 points. This will be his 393rd American Hockey League game, and 156th in an Aeros jersey.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2008


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