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Aeros Weekly

April 11, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


Upcoming Games

Date Opponent Time Aeros' Record Against Broadcast Info Playoff Ticket
4-11 vs. Utah 7:00 PM CST 0-0 SportsRadio 610 AM D
4-13 vs. Utah 7:30 PM CST 0-0 SportsRadio 610 AM E
4-16 at Utah 8:00 PM CST 0-0 SportsRadio 610 AM
4-18 at Utah (if necessary) 8:00 PM CST 0-0 SportsRadio 610 AM
4-20 at Houston (if necessary) 7:30 PM CST 0-0 SportsRadio 610 AM F
All games are broadcast on the Aeros' website at www.aeros.com

Hockey Happenings

FABULOUS FINISH: Paced by a season-high seven game unbeaten streak in their final two weeks of the regular season, the Aeros finished their inaugural season in the American Hockey League with a 39-26-10-5 record (93 points), good enough for fourth place in the Western Conference. Anchored by the steady goaltending of G Jamie McLennan, the Aeros outscored their opponents by an 18-10 margin during that span, including three games that went into overtime. Rookie C Cory Larose is the 2001-02 Aeros' scoring leader, after posting a team-high 32-32-64, adding 3-6-9 in his last seven games.

LAROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME: When the 2001-02 season began, few realized what a season Cory Larose would have, as the rookie center finished his freshman season by rewriting the Aeros' record book, shattering every rookie mark in the team's eight-year history. Larose led all AHL rookies in scoring with 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 total points, and became the first Aeros' rookie to lead the team in scoring as well. He set the team mark for most points by a rookie, which had stood at 38 by Jeff Tory in 1997-98. He also bettered Tory's marks for most goals (11 in 1997-98; also Rob Valicevic in 1996-97) and assists (27, 1997-98). Larose garnered league attention in January, when he was named the AHL Rookie of the Month after tallying 8-7-15 in 12 games, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. A native of Campbellton, New Brunswick, Larose was a member of the 1999 University of Maine (HE) 1999 NCAA Championship Blackbears' team, and played the majority of last season with the Jackson Bandits (ECHL). Larose was signed as a free agent by Minnesota (NHL) on May 11, 2000, and was assigned to the Aeros September 24, 2001.

MAN OF IRON: No stranger to playing a long schedule, D Curtis Murphy was the only man on the Aeros' roster to play the entire 80-game regular season schedule this year. Limited to only 51 games last season with Orlando (IHL) due to injury, Murphy's game total this season can be increased to 81, after he was chosen to represent the Aeros in the 2002 AHL All-Star Game in February. Murphy made his time count, as he led all Aeros' defensemen in scoring, and ranked fourth overall on the team with 12-35-47. Centers Cory Larose and Brett McLean ranked second in games-played with 78 games each.

HOT NOODLES: It was all G Jamie McLennan in the final stretch of the Aeros' 80-game schedule, as he paced the Aeros to a seven-game unbeaten streak to wrap up the 2001-02 regular season. The 6-0-1-0 streak, which began with a 3-1 win March 27 against Cincinnati, included three overtime games, with the only non-win resulting in a tie. In that time, McLennan has registered a 1.38 GAA, with a .957SV%. Though the Aeros have outscored opponents 18-10 in that span, McLennan has been the backbone of the Aeros' success, as the scorers in front of him have not given more than a two-goal lead more than twice.

WILD THINGS: The Aeros enjoyed their first season as the primary developmental affiliate of the Minnesota Wild (NHL), and several Aeros got the call to play for the parent club this year. C Richard Park was the first to go, and through his gritty play, earned himself a spot on the Wild's roster. With 10-15-25 in 60 games this season, Park has made a triumphant return to the NHL, and for his efforts, has been nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perserverence and dedication. Others getting the call this season include defensemen Mike Matteucci, Travis Roche and David Cullen, and most recently winger Tony Virta, who made his NHL debut in March, and in seven games has registered 2-3-5.

'GATOR BAIT: It was a season for the record books for the Aeros' ECHL affiliate Louisiana IceGators, as the team rolled through the 72-game season with a record-setting 52-12-4 mark for 116 points. Paced by the solid goaltending duo of rookie Frederic Cloutier and veteran Marc Magliarditi, the team brought home the Brabham Cup as the ECHL regular season champion, and set records for the most home wins (30), road wins (26) and team shutouts (10). Playing in his first pro season, the 21-year-old Cloutier garnered ECHL MVP honors by posting a 28-5-3 record, with a 1.84 GAA, .945 SV% and seven shutouts. Named to the All-ECHL First Team, Cloutier was one of three IceGators at this year's league All-Star Game, and was also named Goaltender of the Year. Magliarditi was no slouch in goal, either, going 28-7-1, with a 2.26 GAA, .924 SV% and four shutouts. For his efforts in guiding the team, Head Coach Dave Farrish was named the ECHL Coach of the Year.

CHA-CHING: Two Aeros are making their points count for more than just goals and assists this season, as C Mark Beaufait and D Travis Roche will be donating money to Houston-area charities based on their scoring prowess throughout the regular season and playoffs. For every goal Beaufait scores this season, Memorial Hermann will donate $100 to Houston Aeros Charities. Beaufait added his 14th goal of the season in A 4-3 win at Manitoba Mar. 22, upping his total regular season contribution to $1400. This season, Roche has pledged to personally donate $100 a goal, $50 an assist and $5 a penalty minute to Kids Unlimited, a foundation that works with children with cancer and their families. Prior to his injury, Roche had amassed 13 goals, 21 assists and 105 PIM with the Aeros, and two penalty minutes with Minnesota, for a total of $2895. While he was sidelined, Roche had agreed to sponsor fellow d-man Curtis Murphy, who netted an extra $90 with eight PIM and an assist, increasing the total to $2985. With a two-minute minor in the final game of the regular season, Roche begins post season play with $2995 pledged to Kids Unlimited.



American Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2002


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