Moves Aplenty
Published on August 26, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release
As the school year gets underway, here's a quick quiz. Can you name the new AHL Eastern Conference beat writer for The Hockey News? Answer to follow at the end of the column.
Maybe the writing was on the wall for Johan Hedberg when goalie phenom Marc-Andre Fleury was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins this past June in Nashville. He certainly had to have seen something coming last week when ex Wilkes-Barre/Scranton netminder Sebastien Caron inked a four year, $3.2 million dollar NHL contract. But even he probably didn't think something would happen this fast. The guy affectionately known as "Moose" to fans in the âBurgh was traded yesterday to the Vancouver Canucks for a second round draft pick in next year's draft. Now that Caron and Fleury are the future, Hedberg is now the past. In an article in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Dejan Kovacevic, Hedberg sounded less like a moose, and more like a deer in the headlights. "I'm shocked, stunned. My kids here are crying," said Hedberg. "I never wanted to leave Pittsburgh. Neither did my family. This is tough." Other goaltending news on the Penguin front that affects the Baby Pens: Pittsburgh this week signed former AHL MVP Martin Brochu to a contract, which only adds to their organization depth.
One of the most durable players in AHL history hung âem up this week. Rob Murray, one of six men in league history to skate in at least 1,000 regular season games announced his retirement as a Springfield Falcon. Murray recorded 161 goals in 15 seasons, and now takes on a new challenge in the coaching ranks. Murray was named immediately as the new assistant coach for the Providence Bruins. "It's a little funny to start coaching in Providence after playing against the team as a division rival for so many years, but I'm thrilled and excited about the opportunity." Murray said.
Speaking of Springfield, some bad news for them this week, as former Phantom goalie Jean-Marc Pelletier underwent surgery to repair a hernia injury. The Falcons report that he will be out indefinitely. The former second round pick of the Flyers played two games last season with the Phoenix Coyotes, recording a 3.03 goals against average.
Another big pickup this week, this time by the team that put the Bears out of the postseason last spring. The Chicago Wolves announced the signing yesterday of defenseman Greg Hawgood. In 70 games last year with Utah, Hawgood led AHL defensemen in assists last season with 42, and was 3rd among American League D-men with 15 goals. Hawgood also scored four game winning goals for Utah last season.
The Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday announced that they have re-signed defenseman Dave Van Drunen, while the parent Detroit Red Wings have re-signed left wing Ryan Barnes.
Barnes, 23, was a second-round draft choice of the Red Wings in 1998. He played 73 games with the Griffins last season, recording five goals, six assists and 151 penalty minutes.
The 27-year-old Van Drunen, who has been with the Griffins organization since 1999-2000, enjoyed the finest of his six professional seasons in 2002-03. He collected 13 points (3-10-13) while appearing in all 80 games for Grand Rapids, and his plus-31 rating tied him for the second-highest mark in the AHL.
The Florida Panthers announced the re-signing of restricted free agent defenseman Mike Van Ryn, and also last week, the Panthers announced the signing of former BEARS defenseman Jeff Paul. Here's wishing the best to Jeff in the upcoming season.
An update now on the 1st annual HERSHEY BEARS golf outing, to be held on Monday, October 6th at Fairview Golf Course in Lebanon. The event should prove to be a huge success, with 52 people already signed up to play golf with the BEARS in the shotgun start at 1 p.m. There's still room for your foursome to get involved, give me a call at 717-534-8983 to get your group in, or you can sign up as a single. It's a great way to kick off the season, and meet all the new faces for the upcoming season.
The answer to the quiz: Dave Sottile of the York Daily Record was named recently as the new AHL Eastern Conference writer for The Hockey News. The rest of the hockey world will find out what we here in central PA already know; that Dave is among the best hockey writers around. Congratulations to Dave, and keep an eye out for his column in our profession's most respected publication.
Drop me a line with your questions at jwalton@hersheypa.com this week. Here's a happy parting shot for you: training camp starts a month from this Friday. It's getting to be that time of year
American Hockey League Stories from August 26, 2003
- Admirals Sign Ivanans - Milwaukee Admirals
- Phantoms holding online jersey auction - Adirondack Phantoms
- Moves Aplenty - Hershey Bears
- Columbus Blue Jackets Re-Sign Goaltender Karl Goehring - Syracuse Crunch
- Brule Back in Fold - Hershey Bears
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.
