Willie O’Ree, who in 1958 became the first black player to skate in the National Hockey League, will be at the forefront of community events surrounding the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic, which will be held Feb. 8-9 at Van Andel Arena. O’Ree, who played in 45 NHL games and 56 AHL contests during a […]
What is it about Rochester that hockey players can’t resist? Is it because the chilly winters are reminiscent of those in their native Canada? Perhaps they have a fondness for the fashionable red, white and blue color scheme? Or is it the fact that the air around the Blue Cross Arena perpetually smells like the […]
AHL WEEKLY RELEASE #16 As the American Hockey League prepares for the 10th installment of its modern All-Star Classic, a look at All-Star rosters past shows an impressive list of talented players parlaying their experience in the AHL’s showcase event into National Hockey League careers. Since 1995, when the AHL All-Star Game returned after a […]
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 […]
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, […]
“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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
