AHL Re-aligns #portlandpirates #theahl

American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced that the league’s Board of Governors, convening this week for its Annual Meeting in Hilton Head Island, S.C., has approved the following division alignment for the 2011-12 AHL season (NHL affiliates in parentheses):

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division Manchester Monarchs (LA) Portland Pirates (PHX) Providence Bruins (BOS) St. John’s (WPG) Worcester Sharks (SJ)

Northeast Division Adirondack Phantoms (PHI) Albany Devils (NJ) Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI) Connecticut Whale (NYR) Springfield Falcons (CBJ)

East Division Binghamton Senators (OTT) Hershey Bears (WSH) Norfolk Admirals (TB) Syracuse Crunch (ANA) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)

WESTERN CONFERENCE North Division Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL) Lake Erie Monsters (COL) Rochester Americans (BUF) Toronto Marlies (TOR)

Midwest Division Charlotte Checkers (CAR) Chicago Wolves (VAN) Milwaukee Admirals (NSH) Peoria Rivermen (STL) Rockford IceHogs (CHI)

West Division Abbotsford Heat (CGY) Houston Aeros (MIN) Oklahoma City Barons (EDM) San Antonio Rampage (FLA) Texas Stars (DAL)

The format for the 2012 Calder Cup Playoffs was also approved by the Board of Governors. Eight teams in each conference will qualify for the postseason, with the three division winners earning the top three seeds and the next five best teams in order of regular-season points seeded fourth through eighth.

"The approved divisional and conference alignment for the league adds an exciting, new competitive component within our division which we feel Pirates' fans will appreciate," said Pirates Managing Owner/CEO, Brian Petrovek. "Portland's traditional, regional rivalries with Manchester, Worcester, and Providence continue along with the exciting addition of a Canadian competitor, the St. John's franchise in Newfoundland, which will provide our fans with a new element to the on-ice experience over the course of the regular season and throughout the playoffs."

The conference quarterfinals will be best-of-five series; the conference semifinals, conference finals and Calder Cup Finals will be best-of-seven series. Teams will be re-ordered after the first round so that the highest-remaining seed plays the lowest-remaining seed.

The regular-season schedule format is still to be determined, and the complete playing schedule for the 2011-12 regular season, which begins Oct. 7, will be announced later this summer.

In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 87 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the 10th year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2010-11.

AHL Announces schedule changes for 2011-12 season

The American Hockey League announced today that its Board of Governors has approved a schedule modification plan beginning with the 2011-12 season.

Under the plan, the regular-season playing schedule will be reduced to 76 games; the AHL playing calendar will be extended by one week; all sequences in which teams play four games in five nights will be eliminated; and the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs will be reduced to a best-of-five series.

“As our league has grown in recent years, we have been working closely with the National Hockey League and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association to seek a solution to what has become a very onerous playing schedule,” said David Andrews, President and CEO of the American Hockey League. “As our league has grown and our game has become faster and more physical, the wear and tear on our players has begun to affect player development and at times the quality of competition. These steps are intended to provide a safer environment for our players through increased rest and recovery time, and also to provide our fans with an even higher caliber of play as a result of reduced player fatigue.”

Byron named inaugural Mister Sparky Spark Plug of the Year

Paul Byron, a 2007 draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, was was named the inaugural Mister Sparky Spark Plug Player of the Year today.

Paul Byron 2010-2011 Mister Sparky
Spark Plug of the Year Award Winner

Shawn LaPlante, from Mister Sparky in Portland, said "Paul Byron is a hard-working team player who always gives 110%. We were looking for a player who provides game-changing plays both offensively and defensively. His work ethic is impressive and it's evident every time he steps onto the ice. We are proud to have Paul represent Mister Sparky, America's On Time Electrician as the Spark Plug of the Year."

Byron, an alumni of the QMJHL

Other Award Winners

The Portland Pirates announced their annual team award winners in a ceremony following today’s game against the Springfield Falcons at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Marc-Andre Gragnani was chosen as a double winner selected by the fans as the Most Popular Player as well as the Unsung Hero. The veteran defenseman, currently on recall with the Buffalo Sabres, is second in team scoring with 12 goals and 48 assists for 60 points in 63 games. His assist and point totals are new Pirates records for a defenseman. Gragnani’s season also included capturing the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s outstanding defenseman as well as being named a First Team All-Star.

For the second straight season Mark Mancari was selected as the Pirates Most Valuable Player, presented by Maine Medical Center. The 25 year-old London, Ontario native, who is also on recall with the Sabres, scored 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points in 56 games with the Pirates during the 2010-11 season. At the time of his recall Mancari, a First Team AHL All-Star, was the leading goal scorer in the AHL and among the league leaders in points.
Luke Adam won the Jack Button Memorial Award, presented annually to honor Buffalo’s top prospect.  The Award is named in honor of the late Jack Button, who was a member of the Washington Capitals Hockey Department from 1979 until his death in 1996. Adam, the AHL’s Rookie-of-the-Year and a member of the AHL’s All-Rookie Team, finished his freshman campaign with 29 goals and 33 assists for 62 points in 56 games to rank second in AHL scoring.

Derek Whitmore was selected for the Tom Ebright Award, presented to the player who best exemplifies what it means to be a member of the Portland Pirates, as envisioned by team founder, the late Tom Ebright. Whitmore was also recognized for being selected as the Pirates IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award winner for a third straight season.

Mark Parrish was chosen by his teammates as the Player’s Player Award winner. Parrish was identified by his peers as a player they felt represents the team’s character and values while Paul Bryon was named the Sparkplug of the Year, presented by Mister Sparky, and the Allied Home Mortgage Three Star Award winner.

Each season, the Pirates honor a special partner who has shown exemplary partnership and support during the year. This season, the Pirates honored C5 Sports as their 2011 Partner of the Year.

The Pirates begin their pursuit of the 2011 Calder Cup in a best-of-seven series against the Connecticut Whale beginning Thursday, April 14th at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Pirates Playoff Hockey MISSION: 16W, powered by Time Warner Cable continues with Game 2 of the series Saturday, April 16th at 7 p.m. at the CCCC. Advance tickets are $18 for Adult Premium Main Deck, $17 for Adult Main Deck and $14 Adult Quarter Deck. Advance tickets for Youth/Senior/Student in the Premium Main Deck are $13 and $12 in the Main Deck or Quarter Deck. Get your tickets at the Civic Center Box Office, by calling (207) 775-3458 or at portlandpirates.com.

Mancari and Gragnani named First-team AHL All-Stars

Portland Pirates forward Mark Mancari and defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani were two of six players announced today by the American Hockey League as members of the 2010-11 AHL All-Star First Team as voted by AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 30 member cities.

Mancari has again put up offensive numbers that rank amongst the AHL leaders, ranking tied for third in goals (32), and eighth in overall points (64) in 56 games for Portland. The London, Ontario native has been on recall to Buffalo since March 10th and has earned six points on a goal and five assists in 15 games with the Sabres. Another Pirates player currently on recall to Buffalo, Gragnani has had a record-breaking season for Portland. In 63 games, the veteran defenseman leads the AHL in points by a defenseman (60) and assists (48). Gragnani’s 60 points and 48 assists are both Portland Pirates franchise records for a defenseman. The 24-year-old Montreal, Quebec native has skated in four games for Buffalo this season, while earning his first career NHL point on an assist against the New York Rangers on March 30th.

Rounding out the First Team are Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goaltender Brad Thiessen, Houston defenseman Maxim Noreau, Oklahoma City left wing Alex Giroux, and Binghamton center Corey Locke.

Players named to the 2010-11 AHL All-Star Second Team include Hamilton goaltender Curtis Sanford, Binghamton defenseman Andre Benoit, Manchester defenseman Viatcheslav Voynov, Hamilton left wing Nigel Dawes, Hershey center Keith Aucoin, and Chicago Wolves right wing Darren Haydar.

--Pirates Communications--

Luke Adam named to AHL All Rookie Team

The American Hockey League announced today the 2010-11 AHL All-Rookie Team, as voted by AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 30 member cities.

The team consists of one goaltender, two defensemen and three forwards:

2010-11 AHL All-Rookie Team (stats through Mar. 29)
Goaltender - Eddie Lack, Manitoba Moose (49gp, 27-19-3, 2.16gaa, .928sv%, 5so)
Defenseman - Erik Gustafsson, Adirondack Phantoms (65gp, 5+33=38pts., 22 PP pts.)
Defenseman - Brendan Smith, Grand Rapids Griffins (57gp, 12+20=32pts., 4 GWG)
Forward - Luke Adam, Portland Pirates (49gp, 25+29=54pts., +22)
Forward - Zac Dalpe, Charlotte Checkers (56gp, 21+30=51pts., 7 PPG)
Forward - Rhett Rakhshani, Bridgeport Sound Tigers (61gp, 20+35=55pts., 10 PPG)

Each All-Rookie Team member will receive a custom designed crystal award in recognition of his selection to the 2010-11 AHL All-Rookie Team.

Previous selections to the annual AHL All-Rookie Team include J.S. Giguere (1998), Zdeno Chara (1998), Brendan Morrison (1998), Marc Savard (1998), Daniel Briere (1998), J.P. Dumont (1999), Dan Boyle (1999), Cory Sarich (1999), Jonathan Cheechoo (2001), Michael Leighton (2002), Barret Jackman (2002), Ron Hainsey (2002), Jason Spezza (2003), Brad Boyes (2003), Cam Ward (2005), Chris Campoli (2005), Thomas Vanek (2005), Rene Bourque (2005), Kevin Bieksa (2005), Jimmy Howard (2006), Daniel Girardi (2006), Mike Green (2006), Ryan Shannon (2006), Jaroslav Halak (2007), Troy Brouwer (2007), Ryan Callahan (2007), Bobby Ryan (2008), Teddy Purcell (2008), Brian Boyle (2008), Alex Goligoski (2008), Nathan Gerbe (2009), Justin Abdelkader (2009), John Carlson (2010), P.K. Subban (2010), Logan Couture (2010), Lars Eller (2010) and Tyler Ennis (2010).


2010-11 AHL All-Rookie Team

Eddie Lack, Goaltender (Manitoba Moose):
One of the league’s top netminders for Manitoba all season long, Eddie Lack currently leads all AHL rookies in wins (27-19-3), goals-against average (2.16) and save percentage (.928), ranking among the AHL’s top five overall in all three categories while also placing second in the league in minutes played (2,945), shots faced (1,474) and saves (1,368). A native of Norrtalje, Sweden, Lack put together a six-game winning streak in December and has allowed two goals or fewer in 32 of his 49 starts, including five shutouts.

Erik Gustafsson, Defense (Adirondack Phantoms):
After a quick start offensively, Erik Gustafsson improved his two-way play as his rookie season went on and helped Adirondack to a strong second half of 2010-11. The Phantoms’ representative at the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic leads all rookie defensemen in assists (33) and points (38) in 64 games, and he owns a plus-14 rating since Dec. 28, during which time Adirondack has posted a record of 20-13-2-6. The 22-year-old native of Kvissleby, Sweden, also made his NHL debut with Philadelphia this season, appearing in three games with the Flyers.

Brendan Smith, Defense (Grand Rapids Griffins):
A first-round draft choice (27th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in 2007, Brendan Smith turned pro in 2010-11 after three years at the University of Wisconsin and leads all AHL rookie defensemen in goals (12) while adding 20 assists for 32 points in 57 games. The 22-year-old native of Mimico, Ont., scored a goal just 3:09 into his professional debut on Oct. 8 and has pieced together three separate four-game scoring streaks this season. Smith has also potted four game-winning goals, ranking second among AHL blueliners.

Luke Adam, Forward (Portland Pirates):
The sixth Portland Pirates forward to be named to the All-Rookie team in the last six seasons (following Tyler Ennis, Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, Bobby Ryan and Ryan Shannon), Luke Adam notched four points on opening night and was named the first Reebok/AHL Player of the Week of the 2010-11 season. Adam has gone on to rank second among all AHL rookies in goals (25), points (54) and plus/minus (+22) in just 49 games with Portland while earning five NHL recalls to Buffalo, where the Sabres’ second-round draft pick in 2008 has three goals and one assist in 19 games. A 20-year-old native of St. John’s, N.L., Adam had an 11-game scoring streak from Feb. 26 to Mar. 22.

Zac Dalpe, Forward (Charlotte Checkers):
Carolina’s second-round draft choice in 2008, 21-year-old Zac Dalpe has notched 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 56 games with Charlotte this season, good for third in the AHL in rookie scoring. The native of Paris, Ont., began the season with the Hurricanes and has totaled three goals and one assist in 15 NHL games as well. Dalpe, who was also a CCHA all-rookie selection at Ohio State as a freshman in 2008-09, scored a goal in five straight games from Nov. 6-12 and had back-to-back four-point nights on Jan. 21 and 23.

Rhett Rakhshani, Forward (Bridgeport Sound Tigers):
One of two AHL rookies currently leading his team in scoring (Springfield’s Tomas Kubalik is the other), Rhett Rakhshani ranks first among AHL rookies with 35 assists and 55 points in 61 games for Bridgeport in 2010-11. The 23-year-old native of Huntington Beach, Calif., has had two scoring streaks of seven games each this season, including a stretch of six consecutive multiple-point performances from Dec. 3-18. Rakhshani, a fourth-round pick in the 2006 NHL draft by the New York Islanders, has appeared in two games with the big club as well.

Pirates crowned by Monarchs

ake Muzzin registered a goal and an assist and Jordan Nolan scored the game-winner as the Manchester Monarchs defeated the Portland Pirates 4-2 in an American Hockey League game played today in front 5,487 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Zeiler and Holloway also notched goals for Manchester as their record improved to 40-21-2-6 and moved back into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division.

Luke Adam and Marc-Andre Gragnani tallied goals for Portland as their season long six-game winning streak came to an end. With his goal in the first period, Gragnani set a new Portland franchise record for points by a defenseman in a single season with his 54th, topping Brian Salcido’s mark set during the 2007-08 season. The Pirates record fell to 40-18-5-2 and on the season.

Portland quickly earned a two-goal advantage before the first period was halfway through, as Adam scored unassisted at 5:41 and Gragnani followed with a power-play goal four minutes later. Manchester rounded out the scoring in the opening frame, cutting the deficit in half on Muzzin’s third goal of the season. Zeiler tied the game at two with the only goal of the second period at 11:26, as the Monarchs outshot the Pirates 13-3 in the period. The Monarchs continued their surge late in the third period, led by Nolan’s fifth goal of the season at the 14:22 mark and Holloway sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 42 seconds remaining.

The Monarchs out-shot the Pirates 38-28 as Manchester goaltender Jeff Zatkoff improved his record to 17-12-5. Portland netminder David Leggio lost for the first time in his past 10 decisions as his overall record dropped to 19-5-0.

The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the game were: 1. Nolan, 2. Adam and 3. Muzzin.

Portland hits the road for three games in the upcoming weekend facing the Binghamton Senators, Hershey Bears, and Providence Bruins. On Friday (March 18), the game can be heard live from the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton as the Pirates face the Senators in a 7:05 p.m. start. The next night (Saturday, March 19), Portland will be in Hershey, PA taking on the Bears in a 7 p.m. faceoff, and the weekend wraps up in Providence on Sunday (March 20) for a 4:05 p.m. game. All Pirates road games can be heard live on News Talk 95.5 WLOB and on-line at portlandpirates.com beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. in Binghamton and Hershey, and 3:45 p.m. in Providence.

The Pirates will return to the Civic Center on Tuesday, March 22nd where they will be hosting their second annual School Day Game, presented by Irving Oil and Modern Woodmen of America. The Worcester Sharks come to town for a special 11 a.m. start.

King 'Em, Pirates jump all over Checkers 5 - 1

MARK PARRISH SCORED A GOAL AND ADDED 2 ASSISTS IN THE PIRATES 5 - 1 WIN

The Portland Pirates did not need a game board to figure out the Charlotte Checkers today in a 5 - 1 win. On a rare matinee week game,  the Pirates controlled the scoreboard, even though the Checkers controlled the shots on goal.

The main reason the Pirates were able to stay in the game, Jhonas Enroth and his 42 saves.

The Pirates got things going quickly, when Mark Parrish took a nifty pass from TJ Brennen, got behind the Checkers D, and put it past Charlotte goaltender Justin Pogge for the 1 - 0 lead.

Charlotte played tough transition defense, not allowing the Pirates clean entry into their offensive zone. The Checkers defense turned into many chances, getting 14 SOG in the 1st, but nothing to show for it as the score ended at 1-0 Pirates.

The Pirates got going again at 4:56 of the 2nd, as Parrish lead defenseman Nick Crawford, who wristed it past Pogge for a 2 - 0 lead for the Pirates. The goal was Crawfords pro goal.

The Pirates scored 8 minutes later on a shorthanded opportunity. With Tim Conboy off for a questionable roughing penalty, Paul Byron knocked a deflected puck out of mid air, and put it over Pogges right shoulder for a Pirates 3 -0 lead.

The scored stayed that way until just 43 seconds into the 3rd. Mark Mancari was off at 18:33 of the 2nd for another questionable interference call leading to a 27 second power play for Charlotte to start the 3rd. Charlotte could not capitalize, but the Pirates did as Colin Stuart send Mancari, just out of the penalty box, in on a breakaway. Mancari beat Pogge glove side for a Pirates 4 - 0 lead.

Maxime Legault finished off the scoring for the Pirates at the 5:43 mark of the third as Parrish and Brian Roloff assisted.

Enroth lost his shutout bid as Jerome Samson, who had 12 SOG for the Checkers, scored with 10.1 seconds left.

- JEFF SCHOOLS -

GAME NOTES - The Pirates were again dismal on the Power Play going 0 - 3 and not looking good in the process, mustering only 1 quality scoring chance. Shorthanded is a totally different story, as the Pirates scored their second SH goal in as many games. The Pirates return home Friday Night to face the Bridgeport Sound Tigers

POST GAME AUDIO
Coach Dineen

Jhonas Enroth

Mark Parrish


PHOTO GALLERY

AHL Collective Bargaining Agreement Expires

The American Hockey League's collective bargaining agreement expired after midnight last night, but don't think that means a work stoppage is imminent.

In an article written by Kevin Oklobzija of the Democrat and Chronicle, the executive director of the Professional Hockey Players' Association, Larry London states:

"We don't see any problems."

The key issue at hand is expanding the number of veterans allowed on an AHL roster from it current levels. From the article: "Teams are permitted to use five skaters with more than 320 games of top-level professional experience (NHL, AHL or European Elite League). A team can also have one "exempt" player who has played between 260 and 320 games."

A 30th team being added in OKC will increase the number of veteran slots open, however.

Let's keep our fingers crossed this doesn't have repurcussions down the road.

Sabres re-sign Matt Ellis

Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Matt Ellis to a one-year contract.

Ellis (8/31/1981, 6’, 212 lbs.) spent last season in Buffalo where he set career highs in games played (72), points (13) and assists (10). Ellis, who turns 29 today, now has 33 points (13+20) in 187 career NHL games with Buffalo, Los Angeles and Detroit.

A native of Welland, Ont., Ellis joined Buffalo on October 1, 2008 when he was claimed off waivers from Los Angeles. He was originally signed as undrafted free agent by Detroit on May 10, 2002 after playing junior hockey with the St. Michael’s Majors.

COURTESY BUFFALO SABRES

Mark Jeanneret joins Weekend Warm Up

Pirates Play by Play guy Mark Jeanneret joins us for some fun on The Weekend Warm Up presented by Mr Sparky, America's On Time Electricians

Sabres sign F Colin Stewart to 2 way deal

Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have signed unrestricted free agent forward Colin Stuart to a one-year contract.

Stuart (7/8/1982, 6’2”, 205 lbs.) spent last season with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat where he was fourth in team scoring with a career-high 36 points (17+19) in 67 games. The native of Rochester, MN, has 51 games of NHL experience with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2007-09, collecting 13 points (8+5) including four shorthanded goals.

Stuart played four years at Colorado College (2000-04), and was originally drafted by Atlanta in the fifth round (135th overall) of the 2001 Entry Draft.

COURTESY BUFFALO SABRES

Brian Petrovek joins Jeff and Matty

Brian Petrovek, Portland Pirates CEO talks schedule and CCCC renovations.

Portland Pirates 2010-2011 schedule released

The American Hockey League released the 2010 - 2011 schedule. Download Portland Pirates schedule HERE.

The Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League announced today their schedule of games for the 2010-11 Regular Season.

The Pirates will open their 18th season of competition, the 34th season of AHL action at the Cumberland County Civic Center, on Saturday, October 9th when the Manchester Monarchs visit in a 7 p.m. start. The Pirates will celebrate the AHL’s 75th anniversary season by playing all 40 of their home games at the Civic Center for the first time since 2007-08. The home schedule features 26 weekend games. Saturday Night is Hockey Night in Portland will take place 15 times during the course of the season while the Pirates will also play eight Friday games and three Sunday games.

“Our schedule provides our fan base a great opportunity to enjoy the talents of the world class athletes and Buffalo Sabres prospects which make up our team while also delivering an exciting atmosphere and promotional pop,” said Pirates Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek. “We are looking forward to an entertaining campaign in our pursuit of a Calder Cup Championship.”

Rivalries
Arch rivals Manchester, Providence and Worcester will battle the Pirates a total of 12 times each (six at home and six on the road) during the regular season. In addition, the Pirates will face Springfield and Bridgeport 10 times each.

Windham's Matt Duffy signs deal with Bridgeport of the AHL

Matt Duffy signed a 1 year 2 way deal with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. More to follow

Former #PortlandPirates Winger Tim Kennedy waived by #Sabres in contract dispute.

Former Portand Pirates winger Tim Kennedy was waived by the Buffalo Sabres today. According to Buffalo GM Darcy Reiger, Kennedy cleared waivers and is an unrestricted free agent.

Here is the interview courtesy Sabres.com

SABRES OPEN DEVELOPMENT CAMP, PIRATES PLAYERS INTERVIEWED #portlandpirates #ahl #sabres

TYLER ENNIS


JHONAS ENROTH

2 LEWISTON MAINEIACS TAKEN IN #NHL DRAFT, NO OTHER WITH MAINE TIES #portlandpirates

2 Lewiston MAINEiacs players got the call from the NHL today as C Michael Chaput was taken 89th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers and 6'1" Defenseman Samuel Carrier was taken 176th overall by the Washington Capitals.

MICHAEL CHAPUT BIO

SAM CARRIER BIO

Unfortunately none of the other players with Maine ties drafted today.

Here is a list of possible Portland Pirates players drafted by Buffalo over the last 2 days. Click on player for stats and bios.


Rnd  Overall Player   Pos Country Ht Wt Amateur League Amateur Team
1 23 MARK PYSYK D CA 6' 1" 174 WHL EDMONTON
3 68 JEROME GAUTHIER-LEDUC D CA 6' 1" 176 QMJHL ROUYN-NORANDA
3 75 KEVIN SUNDHER C CA 6' 0" 192 WHL CHILLIWACK
3 83 MATT MACKENZIE D CA 6' 1" 191 WHL CALGARY
4 98 STEVEN SHIPLEY C CA 6' 2" 205 OHL OWEN SOUND
5 143 GREGG SUTCH RW CA 6' 2" 193 OHL MISSISSAUGA
6 173 CEDRICK HENLEY LW CA 6' 5" 195 QMJHL VAL D'OR
7 203 CHRISTIAN ISACKSON RW US 6' 0" 174 HIGH-MN ST. THOMAS
7 208 RILEY BOYCHUK LW CA 6' 4" 210 WHL PORTLAND

#AHL Announces Alignment 2010-11

American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced that the league will operate with an all-time high of 30 active teams in 2010-11, which will also mark the AHL’s historic 75th season.

All 30 National Hockey League teams will have their own primary affiliate playing in the AHL next fall. The league’s Board of Governors has approved the following division alignment for 2010-11 (NHL affiliates in parentheses):

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)
Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)
Manchester Monarchs (LA)
Portland Pirates (BUF)
Providence Bruins (BOS)
Springfield Falcons (CBJ)
Worcester Sharks (SJ)

East Division
Adirondack Phantoms (PHI)
Albany Devils (NJ)
Binghamton Senators (OTT)
Charlotte Checkers (CAR)
Hershey Bears (WSH)
Norfolk Admirals (TB)
Syracuse Crunch (ANA)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)

Western Conference


North Division
Abbotsford Heat (CGY)
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)
Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL)
Lake Erie Monsters (COL)
Manitoba Moose (VAN)
Rochester Americans (FLA)
Toronto Marlies (TOR)

West Division
Chicago Wolves (ATL)
Houston Aeros (MIN)
Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)
Oklahoma City Barons (EDM)
Peoria Rivermen (STL)
Rockford IceHogs (CHI)
San Antonio Rampage (PHX)
Texas Stars (DAL)

The format for the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs will be determined by the Board of Governors at its Annual Meeting in Hilton Head Island, S.C., July 5-8. The complete playing schedule for the 2010-11 regular season, which begins Oct. 8, will be announced later this summer.

In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 85 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the ninth year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2009-10.

#AHL Communications#

GERMAN SOURCES - WANVIG SIGNS GERMAN LEAGUE CONTRACT #portlandpirates #theahl

According to several German websites, Kyle Wanvig, Portland Pirates Right Winger, has signed a contract with the Augsburg Panthers of the German Ice Hockey League.

The 29 year old Wanvig signed on with the Pirates midway through the season and finished with 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points.