AHL San Antonio Rampage

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Published on October 1, 2015 under American Hockey League (AHL)
San Antonio Rampage News Release


DIVISION REALIGNMENT: The AHL approved a major realignment of its conferences and divisions for the 2015-16 season, largely due to the relo- cation of seven franchises, five of which are in California. Those teams, the Bakersfield Condors, Stockton Heat, San Jose Barracuda, Ontario Reign and San Die- go Gulls will play in the Pacific Division with the Rampage and the Texas Stars. The other division in the Western Conference is the Central Division, which is comprised of the Charlotte Checkers, Chicago Wolves, Grand Rapids Griffins, Iowa Wild, Lake Erie Mon- sters, Manitoba Moose, Mikwaukee Admirals and the Rockford IceHogs.

PLAYOFF SEEDING All teams will once again play a 76-game schedule with the exception of the five Cali- fornia teams, which will play 68 games. Be- cause of this imbalance, the AHL made changes to the way teams will be seeded for the playoffs. Teams will be ranked based on points percentage (points earned divided by points available).

OVERTIME CHANGES: Rule changes for the 2015-16 season include a tweak to the overtime procedures. Overtime during the regular season will be a five-minute sudden- death period, and full strength will be 3-on-3 for the entire period. If the game is still tied following the extra frame, a three-player shootout will determine a victor.

2015-16 TEAM INFORMATION

Mark your calendars for the following key dates for the 2015-16 season. Also note that each Friday night game will once again be a $1 Drink Night at the AT&T Center.

Oct. 24: Home Opener at the newly- renovated AT&T Center Feb. 5: Pink in the Rink Mar. 4: Military Appreciation Night

NEW AFFILIATION: The 2015-16 season will be the first of a five-year affiliation agreement between the Rampage and the Colorado Avalanche. This means a whole new roster and coaching staff this year.

TEAM OVERVIEW: This year's San Antonio Rampage is made up predominately by players who spent last season with the Lake Erie Monsters, which was Colorado's previous affiliate. The Monsters fin- ished strong last season, winning five of their last seven to make a push for the Western Conference's final playoff spot, but fell just short, finishing ninth in the Conference.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Andrew Agozzino returns after leading the Monsters with 30 goals, 34 assists and 64 points last season. Ben Street is one of the team's top playmakers and finished the 2014-15 campaign ranked second on the team in assists. Calvin Pickard had a breakout year in 2014-15, finishing with a 2.61 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. He also played 16 games with the Ava- lanche, posting a 2.35 goals against average and a .932 save percent- age while going 6-7-3. Defenseman Chris Bigras will play his first full professional season. The Elmvale, Ont. native recorded four assists in seven games with Lake Erie, following his season with the Owen Sound Attack. VETERAN PRESENCE: On what looks to be a fairly youthful ros- ter, a few key players bring a veteran presence that will be key for Year One in the Alamo City. Maxim Noreau, a defenseman who rec- orded 30 points in 39 games for Lake Erie last season, will find himself in somewhat familiar territory. He spent much of the 2007-11 seasons with the Houston Aeros. Street brings five seasons and 278 games of AHL experience.

COACH CHYNOWETH: Rampage coach Dean Chynoweth is enter- ing his fourth season as the head coach of Colorado's AHL team. Prior to his time with Lake Erie, he spent three seasons with the NHL's New York Islanders.

PLAYING WITH THE BIG CLUB: 10 players who played in Lake Erie last season spent time with the Avalanche, and four -- Colin Smith, Duncan Siemens, Calvin Pickard and Andrew Agozzino -- made their NHL debuts last season.

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