Fergie's mailbag

September 2, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


Q: What is the status on signing a goalie for the upcoming year? I feel like the goalie is one of the most pivotal positions on the team. Mike Utley Season Ticket Holder Augusta, Ga.

Bob Ferguson: Goaltending is a huge priority with our team. Almost everyone will tell you a team can't win without a solid presence in net. We've narrowed our list of potential candidates down substantially, and we're hoping to have some offers completed shortly. The Lynx will not lack for a quality netminder this year.

Q: Just wondering what the update is on Dan Sullivan and Colt King Tiffany Hammett Season Ticket Holder Martinez, Ga.

BF: The Lynx have the ECHL rights to both Dan Sullivan and Colt King. Currently King is slated to attend Vancouver Canucks rookie camp this fall, while Sullivan is seeking a chance with an American Hockey League club first.

Q: Are the players going to be active in the community this year? I would like to see the players out with the children getting them interested in hockey. If you get the kids interested, the parents will have to be there as well. This in turn will get even more exposure for the sport and the team. I would especially like to see the players visiting elementary schools. John Schipper Season Ticket Holder Augusta, Ga.

BF: Getting the team out in public is a big priority this season. One of our main focuses will be getting players more involved in the youth program here in Augusta among other things. We realize the need to do a better job in the community this season and are dedicated to that effort.

Q: I like what you're doing so far with the young players you signed, but we're waiting for a big name free agent signing, especially a veteran goal scorer. Who does the team have their sites on. Larry Munson Athens, Ga.

BF: As we speak, I feel Jake Riddle and Ryan Lang will be key offensive guys for our team and were very good pickups. But knowing that you can never have enough goal scoring, we still have three or four players that we're waiting to hear from on offers tendered. Fans can expect more news regarding signings very shortly.

Q: Coach, can you address the rules changes in the ECHL this season? Wren Peterson Season Ticket Holder Augusta, Ga.

BF: Goalie handing the puck -- This rule will probably lead to a lot more dump and chase hockey which will make it important that wingers are aggressive and willing to be first in on forecheck. Defensively, it will create a need for d-men who can handle the pressure of the forecheck and still make good outlet passes. They can't just hold people up and let the goalie handle the puck.

No two line pass - Being old school, I've always been against taking out the center ice red line, but realize that more offense needs to be created in our game. If this new allowance is used correctly, it will open up the game. The downside could be 120 foot breakout passes to cherry pickers hanging at the offensive blue line which would take the excitement out of the game. I expect that the transition game should be exciting, especially at the NHL level.

Smaller goal pads - I don't feel it'll make that much of a difference... goalies rely on athletic ability and quickness to stop the puck. Over the course of the season the oversized equipment saves a few goals, but not enough to keep someone out of the hall of fame.

Shootouts - From a coaching standpoint, shootouts are a tough way to decide the outcome of a game when as a coach you preach team play - with shootouts it comes down to individuals. Hockey is always a game where momentum plays a big part of the game, but heading into a shootout it's like starting over again.



ECHL Stories from September 2, 2005


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