Rick DiPietro To Grace AHL Covers
Published on September 30, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, CT â Top National Hockey League prospects and former first-round draft picks Jason Spezza of the Ottawa Senators, Jason Ward of the Montreal Canadiens and former Bridgeport Sound Tiger Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders are featured on the covers of the 2003-04 American Hockey League Guide & Record Book and 2003-04 Schedule Book both of which were published today.
The covers feature action photos of all three players in both their NHL uniforms and in AHL All-Star uniforms. DiPietro participated in the AHL All-Star Classic in 2002 and was selected to do so in 2003 but was on recall to the Sound Tigers' NHL affiliate, the New York Islanders. Ward and Spezza took part in the AHL's showcase game in 2003.
DiPietro, 22, won 46 AHL games over the last two seasons backstopping the Sound Tigers to the League's Kilpatrick Trophy Regular Season Championship and a trip to the Calder Cup Finals in 2001-02. The first-overall pick in the 2000 NHL draft appeared in ten games with the Islanders last season including his Stanley Cup Playoff debut. DiPietro holds just about every individual-season and career goaltending record for the Sound Tigers.
Spezza, 20, was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team in 2002-03 after helping the Binghamton Senators to a division championship and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. The second overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft recorded 54 points in 43 games with the B-Sens and added 21 points in 33 NHL matches with Ottawa.
Ward, 24, won the Les Cunningham Award as the American Hockey League's Most Valuable Player in 2002-03 recording 72 points in 69 games for the Eastern Conference Champion Hamilton Bulldogs. The 11th overall pick in 1999 also picked up five points in eight games with Montreal and led the AHL with 12 goals and 21 points in the 2003 Calder Cup Playoffs.
AHL publications are available for purchase by the general public. An order form can be found on www.theahl.com.
The 2003-04 season will be the Sound Tigers' third in the AHL and first under the guidance of new Head Coach Greg Cronin. Information regarding 2003-04 Sound Tigers season tickets, flex packs, group discounts, birthday parties, suite packages and sponsorship opportunities is available by calling 203-334-GOAL or logging on to www.soundtigers.com. Groups, organizations, companies, etc. that are interested in having a member of the Sound Tigers appear at an event are also invited to call 203-334-GOAL or email info@soundtigers.com.
The Sound Tigers will finish the 2003 preseason this weekend with a pair of games versus the Worcester IceCats in Marlboro, Massachusetts Friday at 7 p.m. and the Manchester Monarchs Saturday at 4:05 p.m. at the Winter Garden Arena in Ridgefield. Tickets for this Saturday's game can be purchased in-person at the Winter Garden Arena at 111 Prospect Ridge in Ridgefield or on-line at www.wintergardenarena.com. Tickets for this Saturday's game cost $20 and include an additional ticket for the Sound Tigers' regular-season home opener versus the Philadelphia Phantoms on Saturday, October 11th at Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard. Additional information is available by calling 203-438-4423.
American Hockey League Stories from September 30, 2003
- ECHL, Players Sign New Three-Year Labor Deal - Charlotte Checkers
- Panzer to Play in Peace Garden State - Worcester IceCats
- Penguins Assign Nine Players to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Rick DiPietro To Grace AHL Covers - Bridgeport Islanders
- Sound Tigers To Scrimmage Wednesday At Wonderland - Bridgeport Islanders
- Spezza, Ward, DiPietro grace AHL covers - AHL
- Purple Painted People Unveiled at Grape Street Pub - Adirondack Phantoms
- Moscevsky Assigned To Barons - Cleveland Barons
- Griffins Sign David Brisson - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Admirals Update - Norfolk Admirals
- Maple Leafs Announce Preseason Schedule - Toronto Marlies
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