Eastern Conference Preview
Published on October 6, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release
With a work stoppage currently silencing NHL arenas, many hockey-hungry fans in North America have shifted their focus to the AHL, as the league gets set to kick-off its 69th season on October 13th. Over the next two weeks, division-by-division, I will take an in-depth look at each of the leagues 28 teams, beginning with the Atlantic and East Divisions today, and followed by the West Division onFridayOctober8th,andfinallytheNorthDivisiononMondayOctober11th.Foreachteam,youÃllfindtheirheadcoach,NHLaffiliate,regularseasonandpost-seasonresultsfromthe2003-2004season,keylosses,keyreturningplayers,andkeyadditions,aswellasanoveralloutlookfortheupcomingseason,includingoneplayerfromeachteamthatIexpectbigthingsfromin2004-2005.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
HARTFORD WOLF PACK
HEAD COACH: Ryan McGill -- NHL Affiliate: New York Rangers
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 44-22-12-2, 102 points (1st Atlantic Div., 1st Eastern Conf., 2nd AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Lost to Wilkes-Barre / Scranton in Eastern Conf. Final (4-3)
KEY LOSSES: C Cory Larose, RW Jeff Heerema, RW Benoit Dusablon, RW Jason MacDonald, C Bobby Andrews, D Matt Kinch, D Jeff Paul, D Jayme Filipowicz, D Jamie Pushor
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: RW Jozef Balej, C Chad Wiseman, C Alexander Giroux, C Dominic Moore, C Layne Ulmer, D Lawrence Nycholat, RW Ken Gernander, LW Garth Murray, D Bryce Lampman, D Fedor Tyutin, D Craig Weller, RW Jed Ortmeyer, G Jason LaBarbera, G Stephen Valiquette
KEY ADDITIONS: LW Blair Betts, RW Lee Falardeau, RW Michael Henrich, LW Maxim Kondratiev, D David Liffiton, D Jeff MacMillan, D Thomas Pock
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: Nobody was more excited about the New York Rangers sudden change in philosophy than hockey fans in the City of Hartford, and nobody benefited more from Glen SatherÃs wheeling and dealing at the trade deadline than the Wolf Pack. Led by league MVP Jason LaBarbera, who set a new AHL record with 13 shutouts during the regular season, HartfordÃs 102 points was not only good for top spot in both their division and their conference, but also in the overall standings - which forced the AHL to use a tie-breaker before awarding the MacGregor Kilpatrick Trophy to the Milwaukee Admirals. After advancing through the first two round of the playoffs without much trouble, a heart-breaking loss Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins in the seventh and deciding game of the Eastern Conference Final halted HartfordÃs hunt for the cup, which should make Ryan McGillÃs talented, experienced, and balanced pack of wolves even hungrier this seasonÃwhen they should again be ! considered a strong Calder Cup contender.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jozef Balej
LOWELL LOCK MONSTERS
HEAD COACH: Tom Rowe -- NHL Affiliates: Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 32-36-6-6, 76 points (6th Atlantic Div., 12th Eastern Conf., 22nd AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Did not qualify
KEY LOSSES: LW Martin Sonnenberg, RW Matt Davidson, C Brett Lysak, RW Pavel Brendl, LW Tomas Kurka, D David Inman, D Tomas Malec, C Jason Morgan, D Mike Commodore, LW Josh Green, G Dany Sabourin, G Patrick DesRochers, G Jamie Storr
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: C Mike Zigomanis, D Brett Fast, C Jim Henkel, LW Lynn Loyns, LW Ryan Bayda, RW Chad Larose, D Allan Rourke
KEY ADDITIONS: LW Brad Church, RW Carsen Germyn, RW Chuck Kobasew, F Colin Forbes, D Danny Richmond, C Eric Staal, LW Gordie Dwyer, C Matthew Lombardi, G Cam Ward, G Sebastien Centomo
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: While dual affiliations may rarely work, that doesnÃt mean that they never work à the 2002-2003 Hamilton Bulldogs were proof of that. But, despite a number of key off-season additions, including centre Eric Staal, who was impressive in his rookie season with the Carolina Hurricanes after they made him the second overall pick in the 2003 NHL entry draft, Tom Rowe will have to replace five of his top seven scorers from a season ago, and after finishing four games below .500 and failing to qualify for the Calder Cup Playoffs in 2003-2004, the ÃBaby ÃCanes and Flamesà will once again be in tough in the strong Atlantic Division this season.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Eric Staal
MANCHESTER MONARCHS
HEAD COACH: Bruce Boudreau -- NHL Affiliate: Los Angeles Kings
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 40-28-7-5, 92 points (2nd Atlantic. Div., 4th Eastern Conf., 9th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Lost to Worcester Ice Cats in Atlantic Div. Semi-Final (4-2)
KEY LOSSES: RW Pavel Rosa, C Steve Kelly, D Bryan Muir, D Tomas Zizka, RW John Tripp, D Richard Seeley, D Maxim Kuznetsov, G Milan Hnilicka
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: LW Noah Clarke, C Yanick Lehoux, C Michael Cammalleri, RW Scott Barney, LW Chris Schmidt, D Joe Rullier, RW Dan Welch, D Denis Grebeshkov, D Tim Gleason, RW Petr Kanko, G Adam Hauser
KEY ADDITIONS: RW Dustin Brown, RW Tom Kostopoulos, RW Brad Smyth, C David Steckel, D Mike Weaver, G Mathieu Garon
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: No duo in the American Hockey League was more dynamic last season than that of Monarchs forwards Pavel Rosa and Steve Kelly. Rosa ran away with the AHLÃs scoring title, finishing the season a whopping 11 points ahead of Rochester Americans captain Dominic Pittis, while Kelly finished 7th in league scoring with 70 points. That said, replacing Rosa, Kelly, and the 60 goals and 158 points that they produced last season wonÃt be easy for veteran Head Coach Bruce Boudreau, who will no doubt rely newly-acquired veterans Tom Kostopoulos and Brad Smyth to guide a talented group of young prospects including Noah Clarke, Michael Cammalleri, and Petr Kanko. Defensively, despite the departure of four of the teams top six blue-liners, the Monarchs should still be solid primarily because Milwaukee is now home to one of the leagueÃs top goaltending tandems featuring Mathieu Garon and Adam Hauser.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Noah Clarke
PORTLAND PIRATES
HEAD COACH: Tim Army -- NHL Affiliate: Washington Capitals
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 32-27-13-8, 85 points (5th Atlantic Div., 8th Eastern Conf., 15th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Lost to Hartford Wolf Pack in Atlantic Div. Semi-Final (4-1)
KEY LOSSES: LW Colin Forbes, LW Ivan Ciernik, C Francois Methot, LW Andrej Podkonicky, D Mike Pudlick, LW Mike Souza, D Josef Boumedienne, G Rastislav Stana
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: C Jason Ulmer, LW Graham Mink, C Brooks Laich, RW Boyd Gordon, LW Brad Parsons, D Dwayne Zinger, D Chris Hajt, C Trent Whitfield, C Darcy Verot, D Shaone Morrisonn, D Steve Eminger, G Maxime Ouellet
KEY ADDITIONS: D Jeff Paul, D Mark Ardelan, C Jakub Klepis, LW Tomas Fleischmann, RW Jonas Johansson, D Michel Periard, G Derek Gustafson, G Cody Rudkowsky, LW Alexander Semin, C Jared Aulin
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: Question. How in the world did the Portland Pirates à playing in arguably the toughest division in the American Hockey League sneak into the qualifying round of the Calder Cup Playoffs despite scoring a league-low 156 goals during the regular season? Answer à great goaltending. Last season, it took the heroics of not one great goaltender à but two to give Portland a chance to win every night. This season, despite losing Rastislav Stana, who led many to ask the question "who the heck is this guy, and where did he come from?" with his solid play as the starting goaltender for Slovakia at last summers World Cup of Hockey, having more than one star backstop will once again give the Pirates a chance to win. In addition to Maxime Ouellet, who will no doubt be the "Maine" man in Portland, the Pirates have a solid number two in Derek Gustafson, who was a mid-season all-star and HoustonÃs number one goaltender prior to getting injured shortly before! the 2003 playoffs, and the Aeros subsequent Calder Cup Championship. Outside the crease, Jared Aulin and Alexander Semin headline a group of highly-touted prospects that should help the Pirates put the puck in the net more often than they did last season, and in turn, stay competitive in the Atlantic Division.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Alexander Semin
PROVIDENCE BRUINS
HEAD COACH: Scott Gordon -- NHL Affiliate: Boston Bruins
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 36-29-11-4, 87 points (4th Atlantic Div., 6th Eastern Conf., 13th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Lost to Portland Pirates in Atlantic Div. Qualifying Series (2-0)
KEY LOSSES: C Andre Savage, C Matt Herr, RW Ivan Huml, LW Pat Leahy, D Rich Brennan, RW Carl Corazzini, LW Darren VanOene, D Zdenek Kutlak, LW Ted Donato, RW Andy Hilbert, LW Doug Doull, G Tim Thomas
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: C Brad Boyes, D Kevin Dallman, C Kris Vernarsky, RW Martin Samuelsson, RW Andy Hilbert, G Hannu Toivonen
KEY ADDITIONS: LW Derek Bekar, C Jeff Daw, C David Gove, RW Ben Guite, LW Jay Henderson, LW Martin Samuelsson, D Matthieu Descoteaux, D Jayme Filipowicz, D Patrice Bergeron
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: Only five teams allowed fewer goals than the Providence Bruins last season. The problem was there were only two teams that scored fewer goals than the Baby BÃs. This season, things probably wonÃt be much different. Despite the fact that Providence is home to proven point-producers Brad Boyes, Andy Hilbert and Jeff Daw, as well as young and talented two-way blue-liners Patrice Bergeron and Kevin Dallman, eight of the Bruins top ten scorers from a season ago are no longer with the team, which might leave the stomachs of goal-hungry fans at the Dunkinà Donuts Center growling. Defensively, the loss of number one goaltender Tim Thomas whose 1.84 goals against average and .941 save percentage last season were the third, and second best totals respectively amongst AHL goaltenders last season, will no doubt hurt the most. If Providence is to remain competitive, they will either have to find a way to score much more than they did one year ago, or fi! nd a starting goaltender that can keep them in games the same way that Thomas did last season.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Patrice Bergeron
SPRINGFIELD FALCONS
HEAD COACH: Dirk Graham -- NHL Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 26-43-9-2, 63 points (7th Atlantic Div., 13th Eastern Conf., 27th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Did not qualify.
KEY LOSSES: N / A (Changed NHL affiliate)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: N / A (Changed NHL Affiliate)
KEY ADDITIONS: RW Nikita Alexeev, C Craig Darby, LW Adam Henrich, LW Steve McLaren, C Jarrod Skalde, RW Shane Willis, D Mike Egener, D Darren Rumble, D Terry Virtue, G Jamie Storr
OITLOOK FOR 2004-2005: Two seasons ago, the Falcons were a split affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Phoenix Coyotes. Last season, Tampa Bay left town, leaving Phoenix as the parent club. This season, the Coyotes have wandered off, and lightning is once again in the air à and on the ice in Springfield. That isnÃt the only good news for Falcons fans, because after finishing 27th in the 28-team American Hockey League last season à ahead of only the Albany River Rats, there is almost nowhere to go but up. Forwards Craig Darby and Jarrod Skalde, defensemen Shane Willis, Darren Rumble and Terry Virtue, and goaltender Jamie Storr give new bench boss Dirk Graham a solid and proven group of veterans. The player with the most up-side is no doubt massive wingerà both in size and talent Nikita Alexeev, who is looking to bounce back after missing all but 14 games last season with a shoulder injury. But, unless a number of players from SpringfieldÃs large group of first! and second-year prospects can become impact players, the Falcons will most likely have trouble taking flight.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Nikita Alexeev
WORCESTER ICE CATS
HEAD COACH: Don Granato -- NHL Affiliate: St. Louis Blues
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 37-27-13-3, 90 points (3rd Atlantic Div., 5th Eastern Conf., 10th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Lost to Hartford Wolf Pack in Atlantic Div. Final (4-0)
KEY LOSSES: C Blake Evans, C Jeff Panzer, RW Ernie Hartlieb, LW Marc Brown, LW Scott Pellerin, LW Ryan Ready, RW Jame Pollock, RW Jon Coleman, D Terry Virtue, D Christian Laflamme, G Reinhard Divis
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Mike Glumac, C John Pohl, F Peter Sejna, C Jay McClement, D Trevor Byrne, D Aris Brismanis, G Curtis Sanford
KEY ADDITIONS: RW Jon DiSalvatore, RW Jeff Hoggan, D Mike Mottau, G Jason Bacashihua
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: There is good news, and bad news for Don Granato heading into the 2004-2005 season. The good news is that three of WorcesterÃs top four scorers - Mike Glumac (1st), John Pohl (3rd) and Peter Sejna (4th) are back for another season. The bad news is that seven of the teamsà top ten scorers from last season are gone, which leaves the Ice Cats a little thin upfront. On the back end, a solid, but not spectacular core of defensemen led by veteran Mike Mottau, and one of the league top goaltending tandems featuring the newly-acquired Jason Bacashihua, and incumbent number one Curtis Sanford should keep the ÃCats competitive in the Atlantic Division.
PLAYER TO WATCH: G Jason Bacashihua
EAST DIVISION
ALBANY RIVER RATS
HEAD COACH: Robbie Ftorek -- NHL AFFILIATE: New Jersey Devils
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 21-39-11-9, 62 points (7th East Div., 14th Eastern Conf., 28th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Did not qualify.
KEY LOSSES: C Craig Darby, LW Steve Kariya, LW Joe Hulbig, LW Jiri Bicek, D Ray Giroux, C Eric Johansson, LW Maxim Balmochnykh, D Sean Brown
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: LW Tuomas Pihlman, RW Aleksander Suglobov, C Adrian Foster, D Krisjanis Redlihs, D Matt DeMarchi, G Ari Ahonen, G Scott Clemmensen
KEY ADDITIONS: D Bobby Allen, D David Hale, D Anton Kadeykin, D Ray Schultz, F Zach Parise, C Pascal Rheaume
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: The good news is that after finishing dead last in the 28-team American Hockey League last season, there isn't anywhere to go but up for the Albany River Rats. The bad news is that with the teams top four scorers from a season ago - Craig Darby, Steve Kariya, Joe Hulbig, And Jiri Bicek all gone, hockey fans in Albany might once again have to watch their 'Rats sink to the bottom of the river. With their lack of experience and depth up front, expect the River Rats to play a strong defensive game under new Head Coach Robbie Ftorek, who does have a considerable amount of talent to work with on the blue-line, and in goal.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Aleksander Suglobov
BINGHAMTON SENATORS
HEAD COACH: Dave Cameron -- NHL AFFILIATE: Ottawa Senators
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 34-34-9-3, 80 points (4th East Div., 9th Eastern Conf., 17th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Lost to Norfolk Admirals in East Div. Qualifying Series (2-0)
KEY LOSSES: D Julien Vauclair, C Serge Payer, RW Brad Tapper, RW Cory Pecker, D Steve Bancroft, D Peter Smrek, RW Jody Hull
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: LW Denis Hamel, C Charlie Stephens, C Chris Kelly, RW Josh Langfeld, D Andy Hedlund, RW Brian McGratton, LW Arpad Mihaly, G Ray Emery
KEY ADDITIONS: D Anton Volchenkov, D Brian Pothier, C Jason Spezza, LW Brandon Bochenski, RW Pat Kavanagh, C Antoine Vermette, D Jesse Fibiger
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: The team to benefit most from the NHL lockout has arguably been the Binghamton Senators. Despite the fact that future Hall-of-Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek decided not to play for the Baby 'Sens this season, adding four NHL regulars in Jason Spezza, Antoine Vermette, Brian Pothier, and Anton Volchenkov to an already solid line-up will instantly boost Binghamton's chances in the East. If rookie Head Coach Dave Cameron, who spent the last four seasons behind the bench of the Ontario Hockey League's St. Michael's Majors is able to keep all of his star players happy, and if talented goaltender Ray Emery is consistently as good as everybody knows that he can be, the Senators should be considered strong contenders for the Calder Cup. That is, as long as NHL owners have NHL players like Spezza, Vermette, Pothier and Volchenkov locked out.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jason Spezza
BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS
HEAD COACH: Greg Cronin -- NHL AFFILIATE: New York Islanders
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 41-23-12-4, 98 points (2nd East Div., 3rd Eastern Conf., 4th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Lost to Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins in East Div. Semi-Final (4-3)
KEY LOSSES: C Jeff Hamilton, LW Derek Bekar, C Eric Manlow, D Brandon Smith, RW Martin Kariya, RW Ben Guite, RW Cail MacLean, D Alan Letang, D Tomi Pettinen, D Mattias Timander
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: C Ryan Kraft, RW Rob Collins, C Kevin Colley, C Justin Mapletoft, LW Blaine Down, D Cole Jarrett, G Wade Dubielewicz, G Dieter Kochan
KEY ADDITIONS: D Keith Aldridge, RW Sean Bergenheim, RW Jim Campbell, C Justin Papineau, D Richard Seeley
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: Another team is likely to be offensively challenged this season is the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. For a team that finished 24th in the AHL with only 178 goals last season, the loss of three out of their top four point producers - including leading scorer Jeff Hamilton who is still unsigned, will be difficult to overcome. Thankfully for Head Coach Greg Cronin, the Sound Tigers should once again possess one of the league's stingiest defences. Led by last seasons winner of the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL's Rookie of the Year Wade Dubielewicz, who topped all goaltenders with an anorexic 1.38 goals against average, and with an astronomical .946 save percentage, as well as another brilliant young backstop in Dieter Kochan, who finished with the AHL's fourth-best G.A.A. (1.87), and fifth-best save percentage (.933), Bridgeport boasts one of the best, if not the best tandem in the league. The 'Tigers to win a lot of 2-1 and 3-2 gam! es this season, which should keep them contending in the East.
PLAYER TO WATCH: RW Sean Bergenheim
HERSHEY BEARS
HEAD COACH: Paul Fixter -- NHL AFFILIATE: Colorado Avalanche
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 33-34-8-5, 78 points (6th East Div., 11th Eastern Conf., 19th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Did not qualify.
KEY LOSSES: RW Steve Brule, RW Shane Willis, D Pascal Trepanier, C Gavin Morgan, RW Sheldon Keefe, LW Brad Larsen, D D.J. Smith, LW Nikita Alexeev
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: C Eric Perrin, D Brett Clark, LW Chris Bala, C Martin Hlinka, RW Dennis Bonvie, D Tomas Slovak, LW David Masse, G Peter Budaj, G Tom Lawson
KEY ADDITIONS: RW Marek Svatos, D Darrel Scoville, C Andre Savage, LW Mathieu Darche, RW Jeff Ulmer, RW Johnny Boychuk
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: After losing five of their top six scorers from a season ago - Steve Brule, Shane Willis, Pascal Trepanier, Gavin Morgan and Sheldon Keefe, and gaining three proven AHL point-producers in Andre Savage, Mathieu Darche and Jeff Ulmer, along with two of the Colorado Avalanche's top prospects in Marek Svatos and Johnny Boychuk, Hershey Bears fans must be trying to figure out if the cup is half full, or half empty. The only thing that is fairly certain is that the cup in question isn't going to "bear" the name Calder. After finishing one game below .500, and a single point behind the fifth-place Norfolk Admirals - who claimed the fifth, and final playoff spot in the East Division last season, headlines in local papers read - or at least should have read "Hershey Kisses a Playoff Spot Goodbye". But, following a bitter sweet off-season for hockey fans in "Chocolate Town", coming out of hibernation hungry might be the edge that the Bears need if the! y are to climb up the standings in what once again looks like a very strong division.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Marek Svatos
NORFOLK ADMIRALS
HEAD COACH: Trent Yawney -- NHL AFFILIATE: Chicago Blackhawks
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 35-36-4-5, 79 points (5th East Div., 10th Eastern Conf., 18th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Lost to Philadelphia Phantoms in East Div. Semi-Final (4-2)
KEY LOSSES: C Carsen Germyn, RW Yorick Treille, D Lasse Kukkonen, G Steve Passmore
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: C Ajay Baines, D Marty Wilford, LW Matt Ellison, C Jason Morgan, RW Pavel Vorobiev, C Mikhail Yakubov, RW Matt Keith, D Duncan Keith, LW Igor Radulov, D Anton Babchuk, D Michal Barinka, G Michael Leighton, G Craig Anderson
KEY ADDITIONS: G Adam Munro, LW Mike Brown, LW Travis Moen, RW Eric Nickulas, D Jim Vandermeer, D James Wisniewski
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: Question - of the following two team, who's fans had more to celebrate during the off-season - the Admirals, or the Admirals - and no, that's not a typo. While fans of Milwaukee's Admirals were busy celebrating their teams four-game sweep of the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Final, hockey fans in Norfolk were celebrating the Chicago Blackhawks decision to leave their Admirals ship docked in West Virginia for at least one more season. And now that Norfolk's off-the-ice problems have been solved - at least for the time being, Admirals supporters can focus their attention solely on what is happening on the ice, which appears to be positive. 13 of Norfolk's top 15 scorers from a season ago will return to Norfolk to serve under Admiral Trent Yawney, and with a number of key off-season additions including Adam Munro, Eric Nickulas and Jim Vandermeer - who all spent considerable time in the National Hockey League last season joi! ning the mix, expect the Admirals to sail into contention in the East Division.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Anton Babchuk
PHILADELPHIA PHANTOMS
HEAD COACH: John Stevens -- NHL AFFILIATE: Philadelphia Flyers
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 46-25-7-2, 101 points (1st East Div., 2nd Eastern Conf., 3rd AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Lost to Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins in East Div. Final (4-2)
KEY LOSSES: RW Kirby Law, RW Mike Peluso, D Kurk Furey, C Ian MacNeil, LW P.J. Stock, LW Peter Vandermeer, D Jim Vandermeer, LW Craig Berube
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: C Peter White, D John Slaney, LW Mark Murphy, LW Boyd Kane, C Ben Stafford, D Randy Jones, C Patrick Sharp, D Freddy Meyer, D Dennis Seidenberg, G Neil Little, G Antero Niittymaki
KEY ADDITIONS: D Joni Pitkanen, LW Ryan Ready, RW Eric Meloche, C R.J. Umberger, LW Ben Eager
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: Prior to last season, if you asked hockey fans in Philadelphia who the "Broad Street Bullies" were, their answer would have assuredly been the 1970's Flyers. If you asked them the same question now, their answer might be the 2003-2004 Phantoms. After accumulating 2259 penalty minutes last season - a whopping 254 more than any other team in the AHL, John Stevens tough, yet talented team still managed to not only win their division, but they also finished just one point out of top spot in both the Eastern Conference, and in the AHL's overall standings. And, with one of the league's top goaltending tandems featuring veteran Neil Little and top-prospect Antero Niittymaki, as well as six of his top seven point producers from the 2003-2004 campaign back in the "City of Brotherly Love" for another season, you can expect John Stevens team to once again contend for the Calder Cup.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Dennis Seidenberg
WILKES-BARRE / SCRANTON PENGUINS
HEAD COACH: Michel Therrien -- NHL AFFILIATE: Pittsburgh Penguins
2003-2004 REGULAR SEASON: 34-28-10-8, 86 points (3rd East Div., 7th Eastern Conf., 14th AHL)
2003-2004 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS: Lost to Milwaukee Admirals in Calder Cup Final (4-0)
KEY LOSSES: C Toby Petersen, RW Eric Meloche, D Patrick Boileau, C Marquis Mathieu, RW Tom Kostopoulos, LW Reid Simpson, C Michal Sivek, RW Steve Webb, D Dave Karpa, D Pauli Levokari, G Sebastien Caron, G Martin Brochu, G Jean-Sebastien Aubin
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: RW Michel Ouellet, C Kris Beech, C Shane Endicott, LW Matt Murley, LW Tomas Surovy, C Colby Armstrong, D Ross Lupaschuk, D Rob Scuderi, D Alain Nasreddine, G Andy Chiodo
KEY ADDITIONS: LW Ramzi Abid, G Marc-Andre Fleury, D Chris Kelleher, G Dany Sabourin, C Maxime Talbot, D Ryan Whitney
OUTLOOK FOR 2004-2005: Despite finishing third in the East Division last season, the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins were no doubt the Cinderella story of last seasons Calder Cup Playoffs, after they managed to upset the third-seeded Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the division semi-final, the second-seeded Philadelphia Phantoms in the East Division Final, and the top-seeded Hartford Wolf Pack in the Eastern Conference Finals, before finally falling in four games to the AHL Regular Season and Western Conference Champion Milwaukee Admirals in the Calder Cup Final. One of the reasons, if not the main reason why Michel Therrien's Baby Pens' were able to pull off so many upsets last spring is the same reason why they should once again be a team to watch this season - that being the multitude of young talent that has been shipped to them by their parent club in Pittsburgh. The website hockeysfuture.com ranks the Penguins group of prospects second in the 30-team National Hock! ey League - behind only the Washington Capitals. As long as NHL owners are locking out the players, hockey fans in the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton area will have to opportunity to watch potential future stars like goaltenders Marc-Andre Fleury and Andy Chiodo, defenseman Ryan Whitney and Ross Lupaschuk, and forwards Michel Ouellet, Colby Armstrong, Maxime Talbot, Matt Murley and Ben Eaves develop. To make room for the youngsters, Pittsburgh let a number of key veteran players go, which means that the Penguins ability to once again contend for the Calder Cup will greatly depend on how quickly their young players develop.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Tomas Surovy
American Hockey League Stories from October 6, 2004
- Vanek leads the way for Amerks - Hamilton Bulldogs
- P-Bruins fall in pre-season opener - Providence Bruins
- Sound Tigers Blank Lowell 3-0 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Griffins' roster pared to 25 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Penguins Assign Goaltender Dany Sabourin to Wheeling - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Albany Roster Reduced to 26 Players - Albany River Rats
- National Anthem Singer Announced For Express Mart Opening Night - Syracuse Crunch
- St. John's Maple Leafs Release TV and Radio Schedules - Toronto Marlies
- Rogers Sportsnet announces AHL TV schedule - AHL
- Wolf Pack Release Two - Connecticut Whale
- Bears unveil new third jersey design - Hershey Bears
- Several Aeros come to camp bigger, stronger - Houston Aeros
- Eastern Conference Preview - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Hamilton Bulldogs Youth Fund Player Draft 2004/2005 - Hamilton Bulldogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
