Sports stats



Heat Hot Sheet - Edition One

September 26, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


ABBOTSFORD BC - The Heat roster is coming together and the AHL season is almost upon us. The 2010-11 Abbotsford Heat team is going to be a great blend of youth and experience and as the team gets put together there are already some great storylines from the players who have already been assigned:

Lance Bouma - Last year, he was the Vancouver Giants captain. This year, Bouma will have to try and balance his first season of professional hockey with the task of living on his own. Whether he teams up with a roommate, or strikes out on his own, Bouma will be a study in what trips up many young professional athletes as they try to make the transition to the elite of pro hockeylife.

Mitch Wahl - The laid back persona hides the passion that this California kid has for the game of hockey. Already making an impression with his coaching staff, (Heat Head Coach Jim Playfair has already nicknamed Wahl `Cool Hand Luke'), Wahl will look to refine his game after a successful WHL career with Spokane. Wahl has already shown adaptability to the pro game, helping the Heat advance to the second round of the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs. He has also raised the expectation level of the Heat coaching staff and his teammates by the way he thinks the game.

Carter Bancks - One look at Carter Bancks will not be enough. At first glance, he looks like the kid who fills up the water bottles between periods and makes sure the opposition has fresh towels. The only thing that this Marysville, BC native has given the opposing side is a hard time and target. Cater Bancks looks like he's twelve years old yet enters his first full season in the AHL as a player with an uncompromising work ethic and untapped potential. Always considered the underdog, whether it is through his baby faced appearance or slight stature, Bancks over delivers on grit, moxie and skill. Another captain of a WHL team, (last year he wore the `C' for the Lethbridge Hurricanes), Bancks also made an immediate impact with the Heat in last year's playoffs. Mentioning Bancks always seems to put a smile on Coach Playfair's face as he loves the determination that this player brings to the rink.

Kris Chucko - A Burnaby boy with a first round NHL draft pedigree. Chucko tries to shake off last year's injuries and prove the naysayers wrong. Chucko enters his fourth season in the AHL looking to regain his form of two years ago when he lit the lamp 28 times for the Quad City Flames. A nasty hit left Chucko on the outside looking in with a serious concussion that left him in the dark for nearly two months, pondering his next move. Chucko will have a lot to prove this year as he looks to make the jump to the NHL.

The Heat's AHL preseason gets going with a pair of games this weekend in Manitoba as the Heat will take on the Vancouver Canucks affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Game One will take place on Friday night in Winnipeg at the MTS Centre, with the puck drop at 5:30 PM PDT. The following evening, both teams will journey to nearby Portage la Prairie and the PCU Centre. Game time on Saturday will be 5 pm PDT.

Practice schedule for the Abbotsford Heat this week:

Practice Schedule:

Monday September 27th 11 am to 1 pmWednesday September 29th 11 am to 1 pm

Monday October 4th 11 am to 1 pmTuesday October 5th 11 am to 1 pm

Location: Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre 33800 King Rd. Abbotsford BC

All practices prior to the season opener will be open to the public.

The Abbotsford Heat will hold their first annual Heat Foundation Golf Tourney at the Chilliwack Golf Club on Tuesday, September 28th. Last year the Heat raised $100,000 towards minor hockey and kid's programs in the Fraser Valley region.

The Heat will depart Thursday morning for Winnipeg, returning Sunday morning. The Heat will then practice on Monday and Tuesday before departing on their season opening three game road trip. The Heat will open their season on Friday, October 8th versus the Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings). The following evening, Abbotsford will be in Cheese Country as Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators) host the Heat. On Thanksgiving Monday, the Heat will wrap their first roadie with a stop in Toronto to take on their division rivals, the Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs).

The Abbotsford Heat will open their season at home with a pair of games against the Rockford Ice Hogs on Friday, October 15th and Saturday, October 16th. Tickets for these and all games can be purchased by calling the Heat Box Office at 1-877-452-HEAT. You can also purchase tickets online by visiting the Heat website at www.abbotsfordheat.com .



American Hockey League Stories from September 26, 2010


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.

Other Recent Abbotsford Heat Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central