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Heat Hot Sheet

October 5, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Abbotsford Heat News Release


ABBOTSFORD BC - The Abbotsford Heat will wing their way back east for a trio of games to open their 2010-11 AHL season. Friday night will see the Heat square off against the Detroit Red Wings affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins finished seventh in the seven team North Division this past season, but if their pedigree means anything, don't count the Griffins out. Grand Rapids has churned out in excess of 100 NHL players for a franchise that prides itself on developing talent thru drafting. Griffins that have local ties are:

Head Coach Curt Fraser - Former Canucks winger was an integral part of the 1982 Stanley Cup run on a line with Thomas Gradin and Stan Smyl.

Willie Coetzee - Maple Ridge BC - This will be Willie's first year in the AHL after a successful junior career with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. Last year, Willie scored 29 goals with the Rebels. Despite being undrafted, Willie earned a contract with Detroit and was one of their last cuts at this year's camp.

Saturday will see the Heat head west for a showdown against the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville's affiliate. Last season, the Heat owned a 3-1 record against the Admirals and posted a shutout in the process. Admirals with BC ties are:

Mark Dekanich - North Vancouver BC - Dekanich was the Admirals number one goalie last year and returns to the Admirals this season.

Mark Santorelli - Burnaby BC - Santorelli returns for his second season of pro hockey in Wisconsin. This one time member of the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins has had to transition from being the WHL's leading scorer to finding his way in the AHL.

Brett Palin - Nanaimo BC - Palin was the first captain of the Abbotsford Heat and will face his former mates for the first time on Saturday. Palin played just 21 games last season in Abbotsford before being sidelined for the season with injuries.

Thanksgiving Monday will find the Heat back in Canada to take on the Toronto Marlies in a mid day game in Toronto. Last season, the Heat and Marlies developed a nice rivalry, with the Heat holding a 5-2-1 record in games versus the Leafs affiliate. The Leafs will have a pair of players with ties to BC:

Keith Aulie - From Manitoba he is, but Aulie was a part of the Dion Phaneuf trade last season that saw him change his address from Abbotsford to the Big Smoke.

Greg Scott - Victoria lad now in his second season with the Marlies after a pair of 30+ goal campaigns with the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL).

The HEAT roster is starting to take form after a few more Flames cuts and some AHL signings as well. Among the players this week that have joined the HEAT or made an impression in the Heat's preseason are:

Matt Keith - Aldergrove product excited about being back at home. Keith wore an 'A' this weekend in his first games as a Heat player and will be one of the veterans expected to lead a young Heat squad this year. Keith, 27, scored 21 goals last season with the Rockford Ice Hogs and has spent time in Europe and throughout North America trying to find his way to the NHL. Matt feels this might be the fit that gets him over the top...

Riley Emmerson - An Abbotsford resident, this 6'8" - 250 pound specimen doesn't look a pound over 220, and it didn't take long for Emmerson to try and make an impression, as he fought in his first preseason game and scored in his second. Emmerson will attempt to crack the Heat roster after spending his last year in Stockton of the ECHL.

JD Watt - looking to build on his nine goal season from last year, JD Watt scored goals in both preseason games versus the Moose this weekend, while also staying out of the penalty box. Watt's nine goals last season was a career high, but a far cry from the 34 he scored with the Vancouver Giants when he led the team in goals en route to the Memorial Cup in 2007.

All games will be broadcast on Country 107.1 FM this season. Dave Sheldon will call the play by play, while Craig MacEwen will supply the color analysis on select home games.

Broadcast schedule:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8th @ Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings). Pregame @ 3:45 PM. Puck drop at 4 PM PDT.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9th @ Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators). Pregame @ 4:45 PM. Puck drop at 5 PM PDT.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11TH @ Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs). Pregame @ 9:45 AM. Puck drop at 10 AM PDT.

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