Roundtrip to Chocolatetown Complete for Chaz
March 17, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, proud member of the ECHL, announced today that right wing Chaz Johnson has been returned to the club from his loan to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). Johnson was pointless in the Bears' 3-1 loss to the Manitoba Moose last night at Giant Center in Hershey. Johnson will be back in the Jackals line-up tonight as Elmira takes on Wheeling at First Arena (7:05 p.m.) to open up a five-game home stand.
The loan was Elmira's 54th to an American Hockey League club this season, the most by an ECHL member to date. More impressively, it was the Jackals' 26th loan of an Elmira-contracted player to the AHL. The other loans have involved AHL-contracted players under the umbrella of the Jackals' AHL affiliates in Syracuse and Binghamton.
"Coaching in the north is like trying to survive in Transylvania," commented Jackals head coach Steve Martinson. "Can I call out âuncle'?"
Playing with a short line-up for most of the second half of the season, the Jackals have been a clearing house of sorts for AHL clubs looking to hit the ice with a full roster every night out. Conversely, the Jackals have competed with 15 or fewer skaters in 30 of their 61 games this year. ECHL clubs are allowed to dress 16 skaters and two goaltenders for regular season contests.
"One of our goals, besides winning hockey games, is providing opportunities for our players," Martinson said. "We're constantly balancing those opportunities with trying to field a full line-up that's good enough to win an ECHL game. We're not here solely to provide AHL teams with players while their ECHL affiliates play with full line-ups."
Elmira currently has six AHL-contracted players on recall with their two affiliates in Syracuse and Binghamton. Helping them beyond their own contracted players has proven to be a challenge as well.
"We've been so short at times this year that we've been unable to supply additional players to our own affiliates due to injuries, suspensions and loans to other AHL teams," Martinson said.
ECHL playoff rosters are not due until April 7th, two days after the completion of the ECHL regular season. Determining who to place on that roster becomes a shell game with the AHL season ending a week later and both of Elmira's affiliates in contention for a post-season berth.
Two former Jackals, defensemen Bryan Rodney and center Kevin Ulanski, are players initially involved on separate loans to Albany and Milwaukee respectively and both clubs currently holding playoff spots. Thier ECHL rights are held by Elmira as both signed AHL contracts after the start of the season. Forward Adam Henrich, his rights acquired by Elmira in trade for defenseman Jeff State on February 15th, is currently with Norfolk (AHL). With the Admirals not in the Calder Cup playoff picture, Henrich is projected to join the Jackals after completing his AHL season.
The Elmira Jackals return to action tonight when they host the Wheeling Nailers in a 7:05 p.m. at First Arena. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets including the Gray Street box office - First Arena, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 722-3711 or 734-PUCK (7825).
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 17, 2008
- Trenton Sweeps Through Ohio - Trenton Devils
- Over The Hills And Far Away.... - Reading Royals
- Jackals Pull Away For Win Over Wheeling - Wheeling Nailers
- Ice Pilots Lose Thriller to Charlotte 4-3 - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Checkers Eject Ice Pilots, Win 4-3 - Charlotte Checkers
- Three-Goal Third Lifts Jackals Over Nailers - Elmira Jackals
- Cyclones Announce Kelly Cup Ticket Information - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Chiefs Dropped by Cyclones - Johnstown Chiefs
- Cyclones Claim North Division Title - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Season Tickets Now On Sale For 2008-09 - Johnstown Chiefs
- Wranglers Weekly - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Steelheads Weekly - Idaho Steelheads
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Wranglers Cole Called Up By Flames - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Alaska Moves Into First In The West Division - ECHL
- Lynx Weekly - Augusta Lynx
- Sea Wolves Weekly - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Stockton Thunder At Bakersfield Condors - Stockton Thunder
- Bombers Weekly - Dayton Bombers
- On-Sale Date For 'Blades Playoff Tickets Announced - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Weekly- Divisions - ECHL
- The Playoff March Continues - Stockton Thunder
- Bakersfield Condors Vs. Stockton Thunder - Bakersfield Condors
- Painchaud Recalled To Chicago - Atlanta Gladiators
- Royals Sign Goaltender John Murray - Reading Royals
- Checkers Weekly - Charlotte Checkers
- Nailers Hold Brackets Contest - Wheeling Nailers
- Weekly Arrowhead - Johnstown Chiefs
- Everblades Weekly - Florida Everblades
- Grizzlies Continue Trip In Canada Wednesday - Utah Grizzlies
- Roadrunners Collect Crucial Canadian Sweep - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Falcons Weekly - Fresno Falcons
- Annual Player Awards Banquet April 7 - Utah Grizzlies
- Ice Pilots Weekly - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Rays Win 40th Game of the Season - South Carolina Stingrays
- Roundtrip to Chocolatetown Complete for Chaz - Elmira Jackals
- Fresno Falcons to Honor Famous Chicken with Banner Raising Ceremony Saturday - Fresno Falcons
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Catters Creep Closer to History With 3-2 Win - Texas Wildcatters
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.
