Ramo’s rookie season a learning experience

by Damon Markiewicz || AHL On The Beat Archive Springfield Falcons rookie goaltender Karri Ramo has probably been the Falcons’ most valuable player during the 2006-07 season, and on Jan. 28, the first-year pro was named the Rbk Hockey Top Goaltender during the AHL’s Skills Competition, part of the 2007 Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic […]

Small-town Cabana has eyes on NHL

by Brian Smith || AHL On The Beat Archive The small town of Fleurimont, Que., has a population of just over 16,000 people, which wouldn’t even fill the Wachovia Center if the whole city came to watch its pride and joy make his NHL debut. Frederik Cabana took that unofficial title in 2004 when the […]

“Zinger” answers fan questions

AHL On The Beat ArchiveManitoba Moose general manager Craig Heisinger has been involved in pro hockey for decades. The former equipment manager for the Winnipeg Jets and current top decision-maker for the Western Conference-leading Manitoba Moose has a unique perspective on the business side of hockey, a perspective he recently shared with hockey fans from […]

Common ground: Taratukhin gets an assist in Omaha

By Mike Patterson || AHL On The Beat ArchiveIt took a while, but Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights forward Andrei Taratukhin has warmed up to the idea of playing hockey far from his native Russia. And he has a 12-year-old friend to thank for that. Taratukhin has proved to be an important member of the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights. […]

Special K’s shining for B’s

by Kevin Boryczki and Adam Kaufman || AHL On The Beat Archive Imagine being 17 to 18 years old, never having been away from home, picking up your life to move over 5,000 miles to a country where you’ve never been, know nobody and don’t speak the native language. Welcome to the lives of Providence […]

Byers combines grit, production for Wolf Pack

by Bob Crawford || AHL On The Beat ArchiveThe New York Ranger organization is starting to reap the benefits of the bevy of draft picks they acquired for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, with several of those selections enjoying good success with this year’s Wolf Pack team. Every club hopes to have a nice mix […]

Opportunity knocked, and Keith answered

by David Rak || AHL On The Beat ArchiveIn Cam Keith‘s hockey career, Christmas 2005 was a time of stark realization about his future in professional hockey. "I really, honestly didn’t think I was going to get called up (to the Rivermen), so it was going to be my last year of hockey," Keith remembers […]

Goal remains the same despite season of change

by Chris Roy || AHL On The Beat ArchiveThe winds of change have swept through the Portland Pirates, but do not mistake that as them waving the white flag in defeat. Rather, it’s a retooling as they prepare to make a late season push for the Calder Cup Playoffs. Currently sitting in sixth in place […]

Koistinen, Guerriero reunited in Milwaukee

by Barry Holloway || AHL On The Beat ArchiveMilwaukee Admirals defenseman Ville Koistinen answered his cell phone as he and teammate Jason Guerriero were on the verge of being interviewed about being reunited in Milwaukee after playing together in Finland for Ilves Tampere last season. “Hey, Hollywood,” said Guerriero, mocking Koistinen in attempt to get […]

Paulie Walnuts, Kid Henry keep Tigers on ice

by Kimber Auerbach || AHL On The Beat Archive The Italian mafia has been a strong underground organization throughout the metropolitan area, documented by movies and television shows such as Goodfellas and The Sopranos. In Bridgeport, the Sound Tigers have their own Italian presence. Paul(ie) “Walnuts” Camelio, the head equipment manager, and Chris “The Kid […]