Richie in Denver, Maltais Back with Wolves, Lacroix Staying Put
Published on September 15, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release
Leading off this edition of the weekly column is my conversation with the happiest guy in Quebec last Wednesday night. In case you missed it, Bruce Richardson got the call last Wednesday to be a part of Colorado's training camp in Denver. I talked to Bruce on the phone from Montreal the night before he left for camp, and he was so excited, I could almost hear him jumping up and down. With all the talent that Pierre Lacroix has assembled in Denver for the upcoming season, a ticket to Avalanche camp might be the hardest in hockey. It's great for Richie to showcase his talents on the NHL level, and also great for the BEARS as he promises to be in great shape when he arrives in HERSHEY.
Speaking of Pierre Lacroix, an article in today's Denver Post written by Adrian Dater says that the successful president/general manager isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Lacroix, whose contract is up at the end of the 2003-04 season, told the Post that he does not want to retire when his contract expires, and hopes to sign an extension that will keep him in Denver for at least another few years. "I'm 55 years old, but I still have the energy, desire, and time to keep giving the best of my ability to the franchise," Lacroix told the Post. "I still can't wait to get out of bed every morning to do my job. Every day is like Friday to me." Nine straight division titles and two Stanley Cups do tend to make the workplace a lot friendlier, no doubt about that. With Lacroix at the helm, the Avalanche look to be at the top of the pack for sometime to come.
A couple of AHL notes for you on this Monday, starting with the Chicago Wolves inking veteran forward Steve Maltais for a 10th season in a Chicago uniform. Maltais has worn the burgundy and gold since the 1994-95 season, last year recording 86 points to earn the AHL scoring title. In addition to the Wolves, Maltais has played in the "A" for Adirondack, Halifax, and Baltimore. With Chicago, Maltais has 405 goals and 421 assists for 826 points. He also has had four different 50-goal seasons for the Wolves. In case you have forgotten, Maltais also finished HERSHEY'S season on April 22nd with the game-winning goal in overtime in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
There was another signing this week in Binghamton, where the Ottawa Senators inked forward Serge Payer to a contract. Payer spend a majority of time the last three seasons in the AHL, most recently with San Antonio. He has 22 goals in 130 AHL games. The East division figures to be a great race this season, and I really believe that Binghamton is as good as anyone depending on what final cuts are made in Ottawa. They've got a solid goaltender, great scoring ability, and heaven and HERSHEY both know they have a great coach in John Paddock. There should be some great games between the BEARS and the Sens this season. First meeting is set for Friday, October 24 in Binghamton.
The Buffalo Sabres announced this week that Randy Cunneyworth will return for a fourth season as Rochester's head coach. No official announcement has been made about his new assistant, but it's believed that former Amerk and AHL veteran Doug Houda will serve behind the bench next season as Cunneyworth's right-hand man. With a lot of key off-season signings, a lot is expected of the Amerks this season, and that expectation sits at the coach's doorstep at the War Memorial. Look for Rochester to get off to a good start in October.
Training camp update, Colin Forbes was added to Colorado's training camp roster the same time as Bruce Richardson on Wednesday. There is a chance he could be in Hershey if he's not offered an NHL contract.
A reminder from the season ticket department: for those of you in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton who purchased the "I-81" package last season, the package is available again this year. Not a bad idea to buy ahead of time; the last time the baby Pens were here on March 15, the game was a sellout. Also, as mentioned last week, your ABSOLUTE last chance to get a free Phil Sauve bobblehead will be Saturday, October 4th when the Pens are at GIANT Center for the first home exhibition game. The first 1,200 through the gate will pick one up courtesy of Dodge.
Your questions now from the mailbag, and leading off this time is Brandon:
"I was wondering how it works with the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning both having affiliations with the Bears. Does each team have contracts with different players? How does that work?
Brandon from Denver
Brandon, Colorado is still HERSHEY'S primary affiliate, and will provide up to 12 players here this season. Tampa basically picks up six spots on the roster, and four will probably be forwards. Colorado provides the coaching staff under the agreement, so Colorado's coaches (Fixter and Jerrard) will be coaching Tampa's prospects while they are in HERSHEY. It should prove to give the BEARS a very deep roster talentwise.
Retired numbers in Denver up next.....
"I recently discovered that the jersey number 8 (Marc Tardif) was retired by the Quebec Nordiques. If this is true, then what number will Teemu Selanne be wearing this coming season?
Luke from Quebec City
Luke, here's the deal best that I know. When Quebec moved to Denver, none of the retired numbers of the Nordiques came west. For instance, Sandis Ozolinsh wore the number eight while he played for Colorado well after it was retired for Tardif in Quebec. Team operations coordinator Denny Ott and myself sat down today with the Avalanche media guide (and a bunch of doughnuts) and did not find any exception to that rule. Tardif's number eight, Michel Goulet's 16, and J.C. Tremblay's three were the numbers retired in Quebec. The only number retired by the Avs is Ray Bourque's #77, but Patrick Roy's #33 will join him at the end of October.
A reminder to get your tickets for the Flyers/Islanders exhibition game at GIANT Center on Thursday, October 2. Tickets are available at the box office here at the rink. Also, there are only 16 spots left for the HERSHEY BEARS Golf Classic on Monday, October 6 at Fairview Golf Course. Call 717-534-8983 to sign up this week to make sure you make the field.
Drop me a line with what's on your mind at jwalton@hersheypa.com, and we'll chat again next week.
American Hockey League Stories from September 15, 2003
- Coyotes Assign Two Forward to Springfield - Springfield Falcons
- Bears Sign Three Players as Training Camp Approaches - Hershey Bears
- Capitals Assign Four To Pirates - Portland Pirates
- Richie in Denver, Maltais Back with Wolves, Lacroix Staying Put - Hershey Bears
- Revolution Forward Pat Noonan Named - Worcester IceCats
- IceCats Add Exhibition Game - Worcester IceCats
- Express Mart Named Title Sponsor of Crunch's 10th Anniversary Opening Night - Syracuse Crunch
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.
