Talbot, Insana compete for AHL spots

Published on September 29, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release


Anchorage, Alaska – The Chicago Wolves and the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League are taking a prolonged look at Alaska forward Joe Talbot and defenseman Jon Insana, respectively.

The Wolves, who reached the AHL's West Division Finals last year before bowing to eventual Calder Cup champion Milwaukee, opened camp Monday. If Talbot does not make their roster, he likely would report to Anchorage next week as Chicago's pre-season schedule begins with a date against the Admirals October 5. His try-out with the Wolves is not his first at the AHL level, as last year the Providence Bruins invited him to their camp. Insana, meanwhile, opens camp with the Griffins today under the direction of head coach Danton Cole, whose Grand Rapids club lost to Chicago in last year's West semi-finals and will tangle with the Wolves in the pre-season October 7.

Talbot earned a bid to the 2004 ECHL All-Star Game by leading all rookies with 42 points (18g-24a) in the first half of the season. He scored a goal and an assist in the West's 7-6 loss despite a groin pull suffered right before the all-star break, then played just 20 more games the rest of the season. The 24-year-old Talbot finished second on the Aces and tied for seventh among ECHL rookies with 56 points on 24 goals and 31 assists in only 59 games.

Still not fully recovered from the injury, Talbot nevertheless blitzed San Diego in the first round of the 2004 Kelly Cup playoffs, scoring twice in a 4-2 victory in Game One, and twice more, including the game-winner, in a 5-1 decision that clinched the series in Game Three. Talbot has been part of a Kelly Cup winner in Atlantic City (2003), a University Cup at Western Ontario (2002), and a Memorial Cup with Ottawa (2000).

Insana spent four years at Michigan State University before turning pro in 2002 and playing most of his first two seasons in Florida. A six-foot, 185-pound defenseman, Insana played on two Spartan teams that advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four. He scored six goals and assisted on 24 others in 58 games last year for the Everblades, who reached the Kelly Cup Finals. Insana, who turned 24 earlier this month, did not appear in the playoffs because of a broken leg suffered late in the regular season.

The Aces will be in the midst of training camp when the Greenville Grrrowl arrives in Anchorage for two pre-season games October 13 and October 14 at 7:15 p.m. The October 10 practice has been switched from an evening session at Ben Boeke to a morning session at the MacDonald Center in Eagle River from 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. All practice sessions during training camp are FREE and open to the public. Ticket prices for the pre-season games are only $9.50 for season ticket-holders and may be purchased by calling 258-ACES or at www.ticketmaster.com.

Alaska opens up its regular season October 22 at defending Kelly Cup champion Idaho before returning home for a three-game set with San Diego at Sullivan Arena, beginning October 29. KFQD 750 AM will again serve as the flagship station for Alaska Aces games, with the live feed also available at www.alaskaaces.com, which also will offer live video webcasts of all Aces home games and selected road contests, courtesy of B2 Networks.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from September 29, 2004


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.

OurSports Central