Sports stats



SummerScribes, July 21 edition

July 21, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


Thanks to everyone for feedback from the last edition of SummerScribes. We'll get to questions, comments and trivia later on. Feedback, as always, is welcomed - send to qanda@aeros.com. The next edition is scheduled for August 4.

Some help up the middle
One of the reasons Aeros goalies consistently faced so many shots last season was the team's lack of faceoff wins, particularly in the defensive zone. Wild management made two great moves this week that could go a long way towards helping the Aeros gain control of the puck.

Jason Morgan signed with Minnesota after spending last season in the Chicago Blackhawks organization. He played mostly in AHL Norfolk, although he added a goal and an assist in seven games with Blackhawks. Morgan was both alternate captain and captain in Norfolk last season and will bring great leadership skills to the Aeros' locker room.

Wednesday, Minnesota locked up Wyatt Smith, always an Aeros nemesis in Milwaukee. He split last season between the New York Islanders and their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Smith has that rare ability to play any type of game - want him to score? He can do that. Want him to muck it up? That too. Most importantly, want a faceoff win late in the game - Smith routinely won 60-plus percent of his faceoffs in the NHL last season. Smith was also a member of Milwaukee's Calder Cup championship team in 2004, along with Curtis Murphy.

For those of you fans of "Podcasting", check out the Wild's version "Pondcasting" site at www.wild.com for an interview with Smith.

You'll notice the lack of AHL contract signings across the league this summer. Many teams have players unofficially signed - but can't have the players sign the actual contract until October 1 because of immigration. This applies to mostly Canadian players.

Look out for some AHL signings by the Aeros in the coming weeks.

Phoenix loading the Rampage up
The West Division has become a whole lot more competitive in the last two weeks. Among the players signed by the Phoenix Coyotes, AHL affiliate of in-state rival San Antonio, is AHL Most Valuable Player Donald MacLean and former Aeros Calder Cup champ Travis Roche. Joining MacLean is his teammate from Grand Rapids in 2005-06 Bryan Helmer. Reports out of Peoria are that the Coyotes are also closing in on a contract with playmaker Mike Zigomanis, who spent most of last season with the Rivermen.

Wanvig lands in Atlanta
Former Aero Kyle Wanvig (2001-05) was not re-signed by Minnesota, and inked a contract with the Atlanta Thrashers this week.

Should Wanvig not make the Thrashers roster, he'd end up in Chicago, making for a possible interesting reunion with former Aeros teammate Cory Larose. There seem to be former Aeros at nearly every West Division opponent.

Hoggan to Boston
Former Aero Jeff Hoggan (2002-04), sidelined for the second half of the 2005-06 season by a broken collarbone, signed in Boston this afternoon, along with former Manitoba Moose Wade Brookbank and NHL veteran Jason York. Here's hoping Hoggan, a key, grinding member of the Aeros' 2003 Calder Cup team, can stay healthy this season and get his ticket punched back to the NHL.

Syracuse, Bridgeport fill openings
Syracuse promoted assistant coach Ross Yates to head coach Thursday, replacing Gary Agnew, who got called up to parent club Columbus as an assistant.

Kicking off the crazy week in the Northeast, the Islanders named Dan Marshall head coach in Bridgeport. Of course, since then, team owner Charles Wang (who also owns the Sound Tigers) fired general manager Neil Smith, promoted backup goalie Garth Snow to general manager, and watched former Isle Pat LaFontaine walk away from the front office due to the happenings.

Home opener is October 7
The Aeros will open the 2006-07 season on Saturday, October 7th at 7:35pm! Great discounted seats are now available for your group of co-workers, friends and family members. Call 713.974.PUCK for information on joining the Aeros Group Priority Seating List.

Become a Season Ticket Holder!
Want your chance to enjoy the very best prices in the same seat for 13, 22, or all 40 home games? Looking for a dynamic and exciting way to entertain business associates? Aeros season seat plans are going fast this summer, so call 713.974.PUCK today to join the fun. Click here for more information. Want to secure your seat today, or think a voucher book is the thing for you? Call 713.974.PUCK today!

Amateur Hockey Updates
The Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex at Willowbrook will be starting their Adult Rec A League and their Adult Rec League in August. The Youth In-House program will start registration August 14th with play starting September 9th. Details for all these programs as well as Adult Novice League and Hockey classes can be found at www.aerodromes.com, or you can email TC Lewis at tlewis@aerodromes.com.

Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center will again be hosting many hockey classes and leagues from youth to adults. For more information on registration, please contact Lisa Flanagan at 281.265.7407 or lflanagan@sugarlandice.com.

Space City Ice Station will be hosting an adult hockey tournament July 28th-30th. Each participating team will be guaranteed 3 games plus a possible 2 game playoff. There will also be live music Friday and Saturday in the bar, trophies, t-shirts and FREE food. For additional information, click here or call 281.486.7979!

Become Part of Houston Aeros Entertainment Team
If you enjoy the excitement of sports entertainment, ice skating and love the idea of performing for thousands of AHL fans, try out for the Aero Dynamics Team (formerly Strike Force). This is a great opportunity to work for a professional sports team.

The Aeros are currently seeking candidates interested in becoming a member of the Aero Dynamic Team.

We're looking for athletic, spirited and outgoing individuals that can entertain the crowd at all Houston Aeros home games. They will also be responsible for distribution of giveaways, assist with intermission activities and entertain at all Aeros home games. The teams impact will not be limited to the game entertainment, all Aerodynamics will also be available for charitable and community appearances and assist with the team's marketing efforts in the Houston community.

All members must hold a full-time job or be a full-time student. You must be at least 18 by July 28, 2006. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Call Gabriel Presas at 713.361.7907 for more information.

Aeros' summer program a big HITS

The Houston Aeros Hockey In The Streets program (formerly known as Street Fleet) is officially underway! The Hockey In The Streets program (HITS) is designed to teach Houston area kids about the basic fundamentals of hockey in a fun filled environment. Kids will participate in games of street hockey with equipment provided by the Houston Aeros. Also look for special appearances by Aeros mascot Chilly, and Aeros Cheerleaders and Cheer Squad, Strike Force and Sonic Boom. Games, prizes, snacks and drinks will be available courtesy of the Houston Aeros. Look for the Hockey In The Streets program to be coming to a neighborhood near you this summer.

Interested in hosting a Hockey In the Streets event this summer? Do you have a local organization that would want to team up with the Aeros to host an event? Call 713.361.7950 for more information.

HAC preparing for a new season
Houston Aeros Charities is going for major wins this season! Make sure to join us for our 12th Annual Charity Golf Classic to be held in October at Wildcat Golf Club where our players will trade in their sticks for clubs. Don't miss out because right now we are seeking corporate sponsors for our in game fundraisers: Tickets for Kids, Golden Puck, Birthdays, and more! This is a great opportunity to receive corporate recognition and contribute to local charities.

If you would like additional information on upcoming events or make a monetary donation, please contact Courtney Eidman at 713.361.7925. Be sure to visit the Community section of the website frequently as we'll be updating our information as the season draws near.

Interns needed
The Aeros are in search of ticket marketing interns for the fall. Our goal is to maintain an intern program that is beneficial to both the student and the organization. We challenge our interns to work hard and make a contribution to the success of the organization. By treating our interns the same as every other member of our staff, we help ensure their ultimate success in the competitive world of professional sports. Interns completing the program will have practical experience that will give them a competitive advantage over other applicants when applying for positions in the industry. This fact should not be overlooked as 65% of all positions in the sports industry are in tickets sales.

Aeros ticket interns will be trained on creating marketing plans, qualifying customers, implementing sales techniques and methods for closing sales. Goals will be set and a game plan will be established to help interns achieve and surpass those goals. The intern program is designed to focus on advance sales in a fun and exciting environment.

Visit www.aeros.com/team/employment for more information.

Mailbag time

Q: Do the players' contracts allow them to play hockey for other teams in the off season and if so, who plays? - Thanks Susie

Scribe says: Great question Susie, thanks for the e-mail. There's typically no "competitive" ice hockey in the summer for players to play. Many players take to inline hockey in the summer, such as the recently completed IIFH World Inline Championships. Former Aero Rickard Wallin was a member of Sweden's team many times. Also, some players go overseas to places like Finland in August to train with their teams. European hockey seasons start much earlier than those in the United States. For instance, the Arizona Republic reports that Josh Gratton and Matthew Spiller have volunteered to train in Finland over the summer to be better prepared for the Phoenix Coyotes' camp.

Q: When will the AHL schedule come out? - Tracy from Houston

Scribe says: Popular question in the last couple of weeks, Tracy. According to theahl.com, the AHL's 80-game regular season schedule should be completed and announced around August 1. So we're almost there!

Thanks for the great questions! Keep 'em coming.

Trivia time
Congratulations to David from Sugar Land, who correctly stated that Erik Reitz, and not Derek Boogaard of Kyle Wanvig, has the most penalty minutes by an Aero since the team joined the AHL in 2001. David wins two free public skating passes to the Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center, and he tells me he's doing the right thing and giving them to his daughter Melanie.

This week's prize is the same...The question is...Who was the LOWEST draft pick ever to play for the Aeros? (of those players drafted, obviously). The answer may surprise you. Hint: He was one of three 12th-round picks ever to suit up for Houston. Send answers to qanda@aeros.com.

That's it, Aeros fans. We'll see you again next time!



American Hockey League Stories from July 21, 2006


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.

Other Recent Houston Aeros Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central