All along, Krys Kolanos insisted to anyone who would listen his dream of playing in the NHL was not dead. No matter how ridiculous that must have sounded in recent times. "I feel I have unfinished business at that level," Kolanos said Wednesday. "I'm hungry to get after it. I've been working so hard, in faith, for another chance. I feel very blessed." Against all odds, the Flames signed Kolanos Wednesday to a two-year, two-way NHL contract.

The no-doubt-about-it leader of the Houston Aeros is Jon DiSalvatore, the veteran captain in his third season with the team. He's the go-to guy for information after the game. He's the unquestioned locker room leader. He's the team's leading scorer, and he's the one constant on a squad that's ever-changing because of injuries both in Houston and with the parent club up in Minnesota. And for the first time ever in his AHL career, he's playing in the All-Star Classic.