The Rock Report
October 10, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Toronto Marlies News Release
NORTH DIVISION, WESTERN CONFERENCE...
With American Hockey League divisional realignment this season, the St. John's Maple Leafs and their fans will have the opportunity to see a number of new opponents for the first time in team history and a chance to face some old foes. The Maple Leafs will play their 13th season home opener against a team they haven't faced in over three seasons in the Hershey Bears (Colorado) on October 15th. The Maple Leafs will play in the North Division along with the Toronto Road Runners (Edmonton), Manitoba Moose (Vancouver), Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal), Syracuse Crunch (Columbus), Rochester Americans (Buffalo) and Cleveland Barons (San Jose). St. John's will also see first time action against The Chicago Wolves (Atlanta), Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit) and the Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville).
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT...
Saturday, October 11th
@ 10:00pm (NT)
LIVE on Radio NL (930AM) &
www.sjmapleleafs.ca
Sunday, October 13th
@ 4:30pm (NT)
LIVE on Radio NL (930AM) &
www.sjmapleleafs.ca
The Manitoba Moose (Vancouver Canucks) host the St. John's Maple Leafs in their home opener set for this Saturday, October 11th at the Winnipeg Arena... The Moose and the Maple Leafs will face each other eight times this season with four at home and four games on the road... Both the St. John's Maple Leafs and the Manitoba Moose are tied in their all-time record head-to-head at 8-8-0. Last season both teams split their season series four games apiece... The Moose finished the 2002-03 season second in the Canadian Division with 84 points and had a 37-33-8-2 record... Manitoba lost to the Hamilton Bulldogs in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals four games to three... Veteran Blueliner and former St. John's Maple Leaf Dallas Eakins has been named Manitoba's captain for the upcoming season... On October 6 goaltender Tyler Moss and forward Ryan Ready were assigned to the Moose... Ready led the Moose with 24 goals last year while Moss was voted the team's MVP.
2002-03 Leafs vs Manitoba:4-4-0-0
2002-03 Leafs vs Manitoba (in St. John's)3-1-0-0
Leafs vs Hamilton (All-Time):8-8-0
LEAFLETS...
- St. John's will begin its 13th season in the AHL this Saturday, October 11 against the Manitoba Moose.
- The Maple Leafs will play 16 home games before Christmas and 24 from Jan. 6 to Apr. 10.
- St. John's has 11 players returning from last season including Josh Holden, Brad Leeb and Marc Moro.
- Carlo Colaiacovo, Brendan Bell and Kyle Wellwood won Silver at the 2003 World Junior Championships in Halifax.
- All 80 St. John's Maple Leafs games during the 2003-04 season will be broadcast LIVE on Radio NL ((30AM) and on the team's website at www.sjmapleleafs.ca.
WHO TO WATCH ...
Kyle Wellwood: Won the William Hanley Trophy as the OHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player in 2003... Was a member of Canada's Silver Medal winning team at the 2003 World Junior Championships.
Carlo Colaiacovo: Toronto's 1st pick, 17th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft... Led Canada and all defenceman in scoring at the 2003 World Junior Championships with one goal and nine assists and was named to the All-Star Team.
Brendan Bell: Named the CHL and OHL defencman of the year for 2003... Bell was a member of team Canada at the 2003 World Junior Championships... Bell tallied 53 points (14g,39a) in 55 games last season with the Ottawa 67's.
David Turon: Played for the Czech Republic at the 2003 World Junior Championships... Turon played with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL last season and recorded nine points in 36 games.
Pierre Hedin: The 25 year old Swedish native completed his seventh season with MoDo of the Swedish Elite League. Hedin collected 22 points (8g,14a) in 46 games... Participated for Sweden in the 2002 World Championships.
NEXT WEEK'S OPPONENTS...
The St. John's Maple Leafs will take on the Hershey Bears to open their 13th season on October 15th, 7:30pm at Mile One Stadium. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since the 2000-01 Season.
The Manitoba Moose and St. John's Maple Leafs battle October 18th and LIVE on Rogers Sportsnet Sunday, October 19th in the team's only matinee of the season at 4:00pm.
ROGERS CABLE / SPORTSNET TV...
OCTOBER: Rogers Cable - Wednesday, Oct. 15; Saturday, Oct. 18; Rogers Sportnet - Sunday, Oct. 19.
NOVEMBER: Rogers Cable - Friday, Nov. 14; Wednesday, Nov. 18; Friday, Nov. 21.
DECEMBER: Rogers Cable - Friday, Dec. 12.
JANUARY: Rogers Cable - Friday, Jan.9; Saturday, Jan.10, Friday, Jan.30.
FEBRUARY: Roger Sportsnet - Feb. 6 & 7, AHL All-Star - Rogers Sportsnet - Feb.8 & 9; Rogers Cable - Friday, Feb.20; Friday, Feb.27.
MARCH: Rogers Cable - Friday, Mar.5; Wednesday, Mar.17; Friday, Mar.19.
APRIL: Rogers Sportsnet - Thursday, Apr.1; Roger Cable - Friday, Apr.9; Saturday, Apr.10.
ALIANT HOTLINE...
Follow all 80 St. John's Maple Leafs games this season on the Aliant/Maple Leafs Hotline. Listen for in-depth game wrap ups and scoring summaries by calling 1-800-363-(LEAF) 5323.
F.Y.I. - OCTOBER AT A GLANCE...
- October 9: Leafs Assembly @ Bishop Abraham, 1:30-3:30pm with Buddy the Puffin.
- October 16: Season Ticket Holder Bonus Ticket Night.
- October 18: Group Sales - Minor Soccer Night.
- October 19: Group Sales - Basketball Night.
- October 20: Special Olympics Luncheon @ the St. John's Convention Centre.
MAPLE LEAFS OPENING WEEK PROMOTIONS...
Wednesday, October 15: Molson Canadian Opening Night Special Giveaway; Guaranteed 50/50 Draw for $10,000.
Thursday, October 16: Rogers Special Intermission - Sumo Wrestling Debut
Saturday, October 18: Pepsi / Scotsburn Magnetic Calendar Giveaway; Chance to win a trip for two to see CHER live in concert.
Sunday, October 19: Aliant Thuderstick Giveaway. Special Matinee game vs the Manitoba Moose @ 4:00pm. Game will be broadcast LIVE on Rogers Sportsnet.
IN THE COMMUNITY...
The St. John's Maple Leafs, the Leafs Foundation and the St. John's Maple Leafs Booster Club are once again prepared to give back to the community. For information on community visits, educational programs and fundraising initiatives call (709) 758-5489.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS...
The Toronto Maple Leafs released their opening roster for the 2003-04 season. No less than seven players have played for the St. John's Maple Leafs which include: goaltender Mikael Tellqvist, forwards Nik Antropov, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Nathan Perrott and Matt Stajan. Rick Jackman and Tomas Kaberle guard the point. Defencemen Carlo Colaiacovo and Pierre Hedin along with goaltender Jamie Hodson were the last three players sent to St. John's.
ST. JOHN'S MAPLE LEAFS TRANSACTIONS...
September 28: Mike Minard (G), J.F. Racine (G), Sebastien Centomo (G), Regan Kelly (D), Marc Moro (D), Brendan Bell (D), Jay Harrison (D), David Turon (G), Aaron Gavey (F), Jeff Daw (F), Robb Palahnuk (F), Luca Cereda (F), Nathan Barrett (F), Harold Druken (F), Josh Holden (F) and Kyle Wellwood (F) assigned to St. John's by Toronto.
September 30: Chris Chartier (D) assigned to St. John's by Toronto.
October 2: Don Parsons (F), Jay Neal (F), and Kahlil Thomas (F) signed to preseason PTO contracts. Kris Newbury (F) signed to preseason ATO contract.
October 5: Brad Leeb (F) assigned to St. John's by Toronto. J.F. Racine (G) reassigned by Toronto to Memphis Riverkings (CHL).
October 6: Pierre Hedin (D), Carlo Colaiacovo (D) and Jamie Hodson (G) assigned to St. John's by Toronto. Don Parsons (F) and Jay Neal (F) released from Preseason PTO contracts. Mike Minard (G) reassigned by Toronto.
American Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2003
- Rivermen Add Offense, Toughness in Ex-NHLer Zehr; Goaltender Szuper Reassigned to Worcester (AHL) - Peoria Rivermen
- Falcons Fall to P-Bruins in Season Opener, 5-2 - Springfield Falcons
- VanOene, Toivonen lead P-Bruins to win - Providence Bruins
- Bulldogs drop season opener to Amerks - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Worcester Takes Home Opener From Monarchs - Manchester Monarchs
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Media Guide Features Cartoon Cover - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Phantoms lose 4-2 to Binghamton - Adirondack Phantoms
- St. Louis Blues sign Three & Send to Worcester - Worcester IceCats
- Checkers Opening Night October 18 - Charlotte Checkers
- Anders Eriksson Inks Contract With Columbus - Syracuse Crunch
- Clash Between Old Rivals Commences New Season - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Penny Named GM of St. John's - Toronto Marlies
- The Rock Report - Toronto Marlies
- Zizka Recalled By The Kings - Manchester Monarchs
- Falcons Begin 10th Anniversary Season in Providence Tonight - Springfield Falcons
- Bears Name New Captain - Hershey Bears
- IceCats Announce Captain - Worcester IceCats
- Rivermen Add Offense, Toughness in Ex-NHLer Zehr; Goaltender Zehr Reassigned to Worcester (AHL) - Peoria Rivermen
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
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.
