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AHL Hershey Bears

Bears Get Great Schedule

August 4, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


As you are surely aware by now if you're a regular reader of this column, the AHL released its 2003-04 schedule on Thursday afternoon. I think it's a great schedule for HERSHEY with several points of interest. I like the fact we see the Maple Leafs early instead of the dead of winter, because Newfoundland is a much more hospitable environment in mid-October than say, oh, mid January. I also like getting a lot of the trips to Norfolk out of the way early too. How's this for a number: of the 10 games between the Admirals and Bears during the regular season, 7 of the 10 will be played by December 12th. HERSHEY makes its last trip to eastern Virginia during the regular season on January 14th. I'm glad we're going to New England as much as we are this season and seeing teams we didn't see last year, like Providence and Hartford. Portland ranks in my top AHL cities to visit, so I wouldn't have minded seeing them more than just once at Cumberland County. One thing that does make me a little nervous: the beginning of the season. New coach Paul Fixter will get a lot of time early for his team to bond together with 5 of the first 6 games on the road. A good start in those six could really set the tone for a great start with seven home games in eight following the opening six. Of course, you have to come out of the gate strong for that to happen. One of the biggest changes from last year besides the different opponents is the month of March. Last year, the Bears went all over the place, from Milwaukee, Chicago, Grand Rapids, and Utah and spent a big chunk of time on the road. This year, with the exception of one weekend trip to New England, the Bears are at home pretty much all month to rest up for the postseason. It's a great break at a great time of the year.

The biggest player signing in the AHL last week goes to the Hartford Wolfpack, who signed former Philly Phantom Paul Healey. A former AHL All Star, Healey spent most of last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he's expected to be with the Wolfpack this season after being signed by the New York Rangers. The Boston Bruins also signed three players last week on behalf of Providence, including ex-Bear Pat Leahy. Leahy last season scored 20 goals in 66 games for the P-Bruins after scoring four goals in 2001-02 with HERSHEY, Bridgeport, and Portland. The Bruins also signed forwards Doug Doull and Robert Liscak. Doull, a sixth year pro, set a career high with 15 goals and 257 penalty minutes with the St. John's Maple Leafs in 2002-03, while Liscak enters his rookie season in the pros after a four year career at the University of Maine.

One guy you won't see in the AHL this season is Thomas Vanek, the fifth overall pick in this year's NHL entry draft selected by the Buffalo Sabres. Vanek, who led the University of Minnesota to it's second straight national title in April, will return to the Twin Cities for his sophomore season. According to an article in the Buffalo News by reporter Tim Graham, Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier believes that to be the case. "We feel that he could probably play in the National Hockey League this year," said Regier "but it would be in a limited role, and in all likelihood he would be best served with the continuation of his development at the University of Minnesota." Good news for Gopher hockey fans as Minnesota pursues it's third straight title, and probably good news in Rochester for 2004-05 if Vanek turns pro after his sophomore season. Vanek will be a teammate of defenseman Keith Ballard, whom the Avalanche acquired from Buffalo in a trade in June. A high draft pick, Ballard could be in a HERSHEY uniform as soon as 2004 as well.

One coaching announcement this week as the AHL world turns. Doug Jarvis, the NHL's all time ironman who played in 964 consecutive NHL games, is the new coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs. It's Jarvis's second stint as an AHL head coach. He led the gone but not forgotten Binghamton Whalers to a record of 11-10-3 in 24 games at the end of the 1987-88 season. Jarvis also served as an NHL assistant coach with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars from 1988-2002, winning a Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999.

And oh yeah, the Spectrum has a new name again. The artist formerly knows as Corestates Spectrum/First Union Spectrum is now the Wachovia Spectrum. Vegas's over/under on how many times I screw up and say First Union Spectrum next season is officially at three.

Much mail to get to again, after some of the comments I made in last weeks column about Cleveland, and whether or not it's a good sports town. I received a number e mails more than backing me up (mostly from Steelers fans) but I also received a few who staunchly defend the honor of northeast Ohio by refuting my claims about the fan base. In the interest of fairness, I will give you "the rest of the story" this week. Leading off is Mark Fischer, a transplanted Clevelander who now lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and he offered this analysis of my column from last week:

"I just read your comments concerning Cleveland as a bad sports town, and as a native of northeast Ohio, I take exception to your remarks. First of all, BAD sports towns are defined as those who don't support WINNING teams. No city should be hammered for not supporting a bad product....What other Major League Baseball town will ever come close to Cleveland's amazing mark of 455 consecutive sellouts for the Indians?......The Cavaliers were well supported during their successful playoff runs during the 1970's and 1980's. Who can blame anyone for not supporting that stagnant franchise over the last decade....Concerning the Barons, they are the small fish in Cleveland's big pond. No matter how good or bad the Browns, Indians, or Cavs are, they're still major league. The Barons are minor league, it's that simple. That's strike one against the Barons. And for the two years they've been in Cleveland, they've been GOD AWFUL. I also blame Barons ownership for not giving back the traditional AHL Barons logo and colors that were a successful part of the Cleveland sports scene for four decades until the early 1970's. Instead we got "San Jose Sharks East" a shark in a top hat on teal and black uniforms. A baron is not a shark. That was a big mistake.

Mark Fischer

Alexandria, Virginia

My quick take here: Mark brings up some good points, but I have to say I kind of like the shark in the top hat. You can't work in HERSHEY and not respect the point of view about the tradition of the old colors and logos though.

More defense of Cleveland and Barons management this time from Craig in North Canton, Ohio. (By the way, I love the fact the column is going national, you wouldn't believe where all the letters come from these days)

"I wanted to write again expressing how much I enjoy reading your weekly column! Pertaining to the attendance issue with the Barons, let me relate some of my thoughts to the hockey situation in Cleveland. The people in place from Mike Lehr, Mike Mudd, and down are super, hard working people and I believe they will build something special here in Cleveland....Year #1 was bad from the start due to their late move from Kentucky. Last year attendance rose over 10%.....NE Ohio has been hit especially hard with the downturn in the economy. This unfortunately came at about the same time as the Barons coming to town....As a loyal season ticket holder (of the Barons) I have great hope for the future of the Barons in Cleveland. San Jose ownership has been very up front in stating that it is going to take at least five years to get this thing going well. As a confirmation of faith in the Barons organization, I purchased additional season tickets this year. Please assure your readership that hockey indeed has a bright future in Cleveland.

Craig Haueter

North Canton, Ohio

I echo the comments about Mike Lehr, Mike Mudd, and Barons management. They do work very hard, and if it can be done in Cleveland, they'll find a way.

James from Grand Junction, Colorado (see, I told you I see letters from all over now) wrote in with this question:

"Do you think the AHL needs to expand to the west more? Say like Colorado, Nevada, Missouri and Washington? I know here in Grand Junction we are trying to build an arena, and I think it is a good opportunity for the AHL. What do you think?

James, my man, I'd love to see it, but the geography might make it a little difficult. The beauty of the AHL over time has been the proximity of AHL cities to each other in the northeast. The league is expanding, and with teams in Salt Lake City, Houston, and San Antonio, it is certainly heading that way, but there's a lot more money involved with travel when you start having to fly every trip. If the teams in the West Division thrive, it would make expansion a lot easier that direction. I'd love to see HERSHEY at Seattle on the schedule grid some day.

Bears question now from Rob in Aurora, Colorado: "How many seasons will it be until Tomas Slovak makes it on the Avalanche? From the little the Denver Post has said and the numbers he put up in the WHL, it sounds like he could battle with McAllister and Smith for the 6th spot. What do you think?

Rob, my feeling is that Slovak will be here, but you never know what kind of camp someone's going to have. He's a skilled player that should see time with the Avs in the not-too-distant future, and he should be a good help to us here in HERSHEY in 2003-04.

Willie S. wrote in with a question about practice times and schedule for the Bears. Once we get to training camp, I'll have the practice times and places in my weekly release, and Bears practices are open to the public.

As always, if you have a comment or question (even if it has nothing to do with Cleveland) you can drop me a line at jwalton@hersheypa.com. See ya next Monday.

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American Hockey League Stories from August 4, 2003


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