Hoggan’s opportunity is knocking

Hockey is a land of opportunity, and Houston Aeros second-year right wing Jeff Hoggan is making the most of his. A season after playing on a checking line for the Aeros’ Calder Cup championship winning team, Hoggan finds himself as the team’s fifth leading scorer at week’s end. Hoggan’s 18 points have bettered last season’s […]

Young talent headlines All-Star rosters

WEEKLY RELEASE #15 While the American Hockey League’s annual All-Star Classic is traditionally a showcase for the top young talent in the sport, this year’s group of 48 All-Stars is especially deep in highly-touted prospects, including eight former first-round draft picks and 13 AHL rookies. The most notable rookie is Chicago Wolves goaltender Kari Lehtonen, […]

Surf’s up with Sound Tigers’ Cronin

“This is an awesome challenge that I’m really looking forward to. I have a history with many of the young players who have played here, and my experience in the NHL has given me a broad vision of what it takes to get to the next level. I’m proud to have been a part of […]

Furey making the most of his chances

Stepping out of the Phantoms dressing room at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, Kirk Furey had a few words to say when asked if he had a moment for an interview. “Is the league that hard up for story lines?” Furey asked, something of a mix of surprise and mischief forming on his face. […]

Bulldog adjusting from start to Finnish

Eero Somervuori entered his first American Hockey League season as a Hamilton Bulldog with more professional hockey experience than many other newcomers to the league. He came to North America from Finland a bit older and wiser, able to deal with challenges somewhat easier. He wants to fill the net with pucks. So instead of […]

Morgan’s long road going through Hershey

A teammate snickered in the background of the Hershey Bears’ dressing room at Giant Center as Gavin Morgan described adjusting to the bus-first approach to transportation in the American Hockey League’s Eastern Conference. The Hershey forward’s transition to life with the Bears has proceeded smoothly for the first half of this season. But four seasons […]

All-Star Classic to reach 100M homes

WEEKLY RELEASE #14 The 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic, now just four weeks away, will be televised coast to coast to 100 million households on no fewer than 19 regional television partners in the United States and Canada. The top players in the American Hockey League head to Grand Rapids, Mich., for this year’s annual […]

Patience pays off for Griffins’ Robinson

There is no specific way to scout a special hockey player. Some prospects touted as a “can’t miss,” when given the opportunity, fall flat on their faces. Some prospects with a lesser billing wind up on the All-Star team. Nathan Robinson falls into the latter category. A fifth-round selection of the Belleville Bulls in the […]

PlanetUSA AHL All-Stars announced

The American Hockey League announced today the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team roster for the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic, to be played next month at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. The team, comprising players born in the United States and Europe, includes 21 skaters and three goaltenders. AHL fans determined the starting lineup […]

Gritty style serves Giuliano well

Is it possible for an athlete to think that it’s easier to play a sport as a professional rather than as an amateur? In the case of Jeff Giuliano, the answer is yes. Giuliano, a hard-working left wing for the Manchester Monarchs, has shown steady improvement as a hockey player in the American Hockey League […]