Movin' on up

Published on July 16, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


Who's to say that those out of the spotlight can't reap the rewards of their efforts? In a season where 8 Bullies were playing in the American Hockey League all at the same time, most likely an ECHL first, it was only fitting that somebody off the ice would get the chance to make their move as well. Today it's certainly bittersweet to report that Athletic Trainer Damien Hess will leave the Bullies after three seasons on August 1 to take a similar position with the Hartford Wolfpack of the AHL. Now compared to your typical player, the lifestyle of an athletic trainer may not seem all that glamorous, particularly when you're working for a minor league hockey team. It's a life of arriving three hours before the morning skate on game day only to leave two hours after the final player has the left the locker room. It's a life of rolling into Roanoke following a game the previous night at 6AM on no sleep, watching the players head off to bed, and going back to the arena to set up the locker room for practice at 11:15. However, the direct effects of the tireless efforts from those like Damien and Bullies equipment manager Josh MacDonald to the play on the ice is certainly undeniable. Congratulations Damien! You will be sorely missed in Atlantic City. Meanwhile, we're under 100 days till OPENING NIGHT and there is plenty of news to talk about...

ANOTHER MAINE EVENT...

After locking up 7 returning players and protecting the rights to 8 others, new Head Coach Matt Thomas dipped into the free agent market yesterday and came up with, to little surprise, another former Maine Black Bear in Gray Shaneberger. Shaneberger split his rookie season last year with Florida and Cincinnati and at 6'4, replaces the size up front lost in the Aaron Foster trade. "He's a guy who is gonna bang some bodies around," said Thomas, "but he also can take advantage of mistakes in front and put the puck in the net." A New Jersey native as well hailing from Sewell, Shaneberger put up decent numbers last season with 13 goals and 11 assists. If for nothing else, his acquisition is a solid one because like all former Black Bears, Shaneberger knows how to win. He helped lead Maine to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including two while Thomas was in Orono himself serving as an assistant coach. Overall, the Bullies have had good success with former Black Bears when you look at the likes of Matt Yeats, Peter Metcalf, and Brendan Walsh. Bottom line, it's easy to acquire talent, but acquiring talent that knows what it takes to win a big game is what pays off in April and May. In talking to Thomas who just returned from running a hockey camp in California, the Bullies will continue to address speed and toughness as two of their top priorities this off-season, and their signings throughout the summer should reflect both of those qualities.

AROUND THE ECHL...

It's been a busy week around the league, highlighted by the unofficial "coaching trade" in the Central Division. It's normal to see players shipped back and forth, but this was something of a different breed altogether. Last Wednesday, Dave Farrish announced his resignation as head coach of the Louisiana Ice Gators, citing a lack of stability in the future of the organization and looking at other opportunities in the ECHL and possibly the AHL. The rumor mill though immediately had him taking the vacant position in Pensacola. Meanwhile, former Ice Pilots coach Todd Gordon, dismissed a month ago, was mentioned in last Friday's Lafayette Advertiser as a possible candidate to replace Farrish in Louisiana. By Wednesday afternoon, the trade was complete. Farrish was unveiled on Tuesday as the man in Pensacola, while less than 24 hours later Gordon was speaking to the media in Lafayette as the Ice Gators new head coach. Looking inside the "trade", one may say that Pensacola got the better of the deal as Farrish was more than 100 games over .500 in four seasons with Louisiana, while Gordon was just 11 over in three seasons at Pensacola. However, for all of Farrish's success in the regular season, his Louisiana teams were just 15-19 in the playoffs with no Kelly Cups. If this rivalry was not already a heated one after Louisiana eliminated Pensacola in 5 games last season, then who knows what to expect from the 10 meetings between the clubs this season. Gordon's first order of business was signing popular winger Dennis Shirayev, a player who killed his Ice Pilots in the playoffs with a career-best three goals after scoring just 11 all season. "I hated coaching against the guy and it's going to be a pleasure for me to have him be a cornerstone on our hockey team," Gordon told the Advertiser...Explosive Wheeling forward J.F. Dufour signed a contract Wednesday with Rockford of the United Hockey League, joining former San Diego coach Steve Martinson. Dufour notched 70 points last season including 17 over a 7-game stretch. It's a tough blow for a Nailers club that is looking to build upon last season's record-breaking year. Second-year Head Coach Pat Bingham does have commitments from returning forwards Brendon Hodge and Mark Kosick, who combined for 11 points in 16 games against the Bullies last season...Reading re-signed leading scorer Graig Mischler this afternoon, becoming the third team in the division to bring back their top scorer from 2003-04 along with Peoria (Tyler Rennette) and Trenton (Matt Zultek).

WOOLY'S 2004 SUMMER TOUR Wooly's 2004 Summer Tour returns next weekend with stops at the 96th annual Baby Parade in Wildwood on Friday, July 22 and at the EHT Recreation Club on Saturday, July 23. Wooly's 2004 Summer Tour is updated regularly on the front page of www.boardwalkbullies.com.

TO THE GRAB BAG... Seems like a lot of people are enjoying the nice weather outside as only one question, but a good one, came across the wire this week.

" Dan, Any update on Luke Curtin returning to the Bullies next season?

Mike Tuckerton, NJ

" Mike, As a veteran, the Bullies hold the exclusive rights to negotiate with Luke until August 1, when afterwards he becomes a restricted free agent. Luke, who's been hanging around AC this summer, actually popped into the office today to say hello as he was expected to meet with Matt. Obviously in the end the decision rests with Luke, but it sure looks like the Bullies are doing all the right things to try and bring him back if he doesn't land a contract in the AHL.

AND FINALLY....

The prospect of no NHL this winter continues this weekend in Niagara Falls, as the World Hockey Association will hold its inaugural player draft. The WHA has made a lot of news this week, both in its pursuit of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League superstar Sidney Crosby and finalizing who has a team and where. As of tomorrow, there are 6 teams scheduled to draft: Halifax, Toronto, Dallas, Quebec, Detroit, and Hamilton. However, only Halifax, Dallas, and Detroit have finalized team names, logos, and most importantly, arena plans. Each team will draft 30 players on Saturday, most likely a collection of low-level NHL and AHL players, and 30 entry-level players on Sunday. The burning question on everybody's mind though is whether or not the WHA will ever drop the puck? Stay tuned!

Have another fantastic weekend wherever you are. Keep sending those emails and questions along (dan.weiss@boardwalkbullies.com) and I'll be sure to tackle them next week. 98 DAYS TILL OPENING NIGHT!!!!

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ECHL Stories from July 16, 2004


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.

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