Ryan Potulny's hockey stick is now property of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.  It is the stick he used to score the game-winning goal for the Philadelphia Phantoms over the Albany River Rats in the fifth overtime of a playoff game, the longest American Hockey League game in history.  Potulny roofed a beautiful shot past Rats goaltender Michael Leighton for the game winner at 2:58 of the fifth overtime period earning him a feature on ESPN's Sportscenter.   The game began Thursday night and at just past midnight Friday morning, and lasted over five and a half hours 142 minutes, 58 seconds of playing time.  Potulny basically spent the entire day Friday on the phone speaking and texting friends and family.  Said Potulny, "My body is shot".  But he was obviously excited. Video of the goal can be seen on YouTube. 

And an interview with Potulny is here.  They followed up that marathon game with another overtime game in Game 6, a 1-0, 40-save shutout for Leighton but it was the Phantoms that had the shutout of their own in Game 7 a 2-0 victory with Potulny providing the insurance goal with just under two minutes to go in the third meaning Potulny will face former Gopher teammate Alex Goligoski.  

Alex Goligoski is finally finding playoff success with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins as he scored two goals in the deciding game as the Baby Pens move onto the Eastern Conference Finals with a 7-3 win over the Hershey Bears.  Goligoski is the second leading scorer in the AHL playoffs with 3 goals and 6 assists in five games for the Pens.  John Curry got the win in goal.  They will play the winner of the Phantoms/Rats series, which means that Potulny could face former teammate Goligoski for the chance to play for the Calder Cup.

Unfortunately for head coach Todd Richards the extra time off lead to some off-ice trouble for his team, as his captain Nathan Smith was arrested and charged with misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, open lewdness and disorderly conduct, as well as public drunkenness after being caught naked on a downtown Wilkes-Barre street and fellow teammate Ryan Stone was charged with public drunkeness.  Smith told officers he performed the streaking stunt on a bet.  Richards has suspended Smith for the first game of the second round of the playoffs. Stone will face other discipline from the club at the conclusion of the season.

Josh Langfeld lead the Milwaukee Admirals in playoff scoring with 5 goals and an assist in 5 games, which also ranked him 6th in the league in playoff scoring but the Chicago Wolves ousted the Ads from the playoffs and will meet the Rockford IceHogs, who topped the Wild's affiliate Houston Aeros in the next round.

The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed Ryan Carter to a three-year contract.  Carter was originally signed as a free agent out of Minnesota-State Mankato and had a solid year playing in 34 games and scoring 4 goals and 4 assists.  He scored both his first NHL goals against Martin Brodeur less than 8 seconds apart in February.

Former Gopher Ryan Kraf't's Kassel Huskies have won the 2.Bundesliga Championship in Germany meaning they will be promoted to the DEL next season.  Kraft tallied an assist in the 3-2 overtime win over the Landshut Cannibals.  Kraft ranked 14th in the league in scoring during the regular season with 23 goals and 30 assists in 49 games for the Huskies.  

Tyler Hirsch's foray into minor league hockey this season has come to an end.  Hirsch was acquired in a trade from the ECHL Johnstown Chiefs to much fanfare with the Stockton Thunder's head coach having nothing but praise for the former Gopher's playing ability.  Chris Chihocki said of Hirsch at the time of the acquisition "We were lacking offense and felt this was an opportunity we couldn't pass up.  He sees the ice well.  The biggest thing for me was the chance to upgrade our offence and you could see it right from the first practice, he has skills you just can't teach."  But after only nine games in a Thunder uniform Hirsch was placed on waivers on April 1st.  In Stockton Hirsch had only two goals, which were scored in one game, and 3 assists with 12 penalty minutes.  Because of Tyler's lack of production and the fact that the Thunder had an affiliation agreement with the Oilers they had other players being assigned the team late in the season and Hirsch became a numbers casualty.  He has returned home to Minnesota.  The Thunder's Ryan Geris and Beau Geisler both had their seasons ended by concussions this year, Brandon Schwartz, Tim Boron and Joe Dustin are still competing in the playoffs in a 97 degree heat wave in Stockton.

No video replay is used in the AHL to review goals, which proved costly to the Ken Gernander-coached Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers.  A controversial goal by Portland Pirates' Michal Birner would never have been allowed had there been a video review, but referee Ryan Fraser, who is related to NHL referee Kerry Fraser, allowed a goal which ended up being a series clincher for the Pirates. The puck was deflected from above the shoulders by Birner and then it was deflected into the net by Brett Festerling.  "The official said he (Birner) never touched the puck." said Gernander ending his first season as head coach "[Birner] clearly touched the puck, but every goal is the product of at least one, usually two, mistakes. Eliminate those and it's not an issue." (Courant.com & Eurohockey.net)  Despite the playoff exit, the Pack had 50 wins on the season, tying a franchise record, that included 25 road wins, and had a team-record 110 points under Gernander's first full year as head coach.

Jake Taylor of the Pack was in his final year of an AHL contract but also played his first full season without injury since signing a contract with the Rangers after his freshman year.  He made great strides according to observers and could be back as a depth defenseman in the organization.  Michael Sauer suffered a torn ACL in the second game of the playoffs and has yet to have surgery and will likely miss training camp.

Chris Harrington is one of four different Toronto Marlies to have game-winning goals in their four wins in the first round of the playoffs.  The Marlies knocked off the San Antonio Rampage in 7 games.  According to reports, Harrington took a bad fall into the end boards driving the net in Game 6 and did not return to the game. He's listed with an undisclosed inury and day to day, with no timetable set on his return for Round 2.

 
Mike Stuart and Zach Parise have been named Captains of Team USA for the World Championships in Quebec this May.  Kyle Okposo, who has represented the US in numerous International competitions, and was available after his Bridgeport Sound Tigers were eliminated from the playoffs, was surprisingly not asked to be a member of the team.

Mike Guentzel watched his son play in Notre Dame's NCAA Regional games at a bar called Irish Times in Worcester, the only location nearby showing the the games, and was texting his wife during the action.  The Notre Dame games were played after the Worcester games were scheduled.  Guentzel cited time with his sons as one of the reasons for his resignation from the University.

Much fuss has been made over the recent accomodations that West Point and the Army has made for a football player drafted by the NFL so that he can play in the league. However this is nothing new and hockey players from Minnesota from service academies have had special dispensation for years.  From the Air Force both Andy Berg and Brian Gornick both were allowed to serve in the Reserves and were assigned to minor league teams near Air Force Bases. Dan Hinote, who was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche while attending West Point, was allowed to leave school and his commitment and ended up being assigned to the OHL in Canada.  Hinote always said it was his desire to go back and become an FBI agent following his hockey career.  The Service Academies believe that the accomodation that they give these players is made up for in the recruiting value and public relations value they receive by having such valuable representatives of their respective branches.  Gornick in particular did play in the NHL as well as become a Lietenant in the Air Force and remained committed to his reserve service no matter where he played.  Berg is now an assistant coach at the Air Force Academy.  Hinote is still playing with the St. Louis Blues.

The WCHA will be going to a two-referee system soon.  The league experimented with it for more than twenty games last year and it will be implemented as soon as possible.
 

Quick Quotes:

“As soon as I could walk, I started skating.  My older brother was a goalie. Watching him play made me want play. My dad taught me how to play. He always took me to the rink and coached me throughout youth hockey.”  

-Sturgeon Lake native Clay Wilson on growing up playing hockey in Alaska.  Wilson moved to Alaska from Minnesota when he was two. (theahl.com)


"Part of development is winning.  You can develop individuals and talent, but for an organization to be successful, you have to develop winning, too."

- Ken Gernander, head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack (Courant.com)


Quick Take:

When Gopher Assistant Coach Mike Guentzel resigned it came as little surprise but a big disappointment to many.  Guentzel has been a great asset to the Gopher program for 14 years and will be greatly missed.  However, now attention turns to who will replace the long-tenured and well respected coach behind the bench. Former Gopher player Scott Bell, who has been successful as a coach at many levels of hockey, most recently as head coach at Hamline, has thrown his hat into the ring.  John Waibel, a member of Lucia's two Gopher Championship teams in 2002 and 2003, who has been an assistant with the Chicago Steel the past few years will also be applying for the job.  Todd Knott, who recently resigned from the Des Moines Bucaneers to pursue college opportunities could also be a candidate.  Mike Hastings, coach of the Omaha Lancers, was rumored to be a candidate to replace Bob Motzko before John Hill returned to the Gophers, so his name will also likely resurface and former Gopher Eric Means, an assistant with Minnesota State, Mankato under Troy Jutting may also be a candidate.  Eric Rud, the assistant coach at Saint Cloud and Lucia's Captain at Colorado College has also been mentioned. But the Gopher program needs to add an alumnus to the coaching staff.  What has been missing is the ability to sell recruits on what it really means to wear the "M" on their chest, as none of the last members of the staff could really speak to that from personal experience.  Having an alumnus as a member of the staff can help in that recruiting effort immensely and is definitely something that will be an asset, especially given the environment of early departures that exists today.  The other aspect is that perhaps there needs to be a dissenting voice in the coaching ranks, with Rud and Hill there would be two of Lucia's circle, his friends and those from his system, so there would be less of a chance for objectivity.  There will be no shortage of applicants, that is a certainty.  What is necessary is that the replacement needs to be a recruiting whiz and someone who can bring a fresh perspective to the coaching triumvirate.  Quick Facts is going on record saying that Scott Bell is probably the best suited for the position.  Given his experience as a Gopher captain, as a minor league coach, a college coach, and an unabashed Gopher booster and someone who has worked for years studying and recruiting players he probably has the best all around skill set to complement the program.  He has salesmanship skills, teaching skills, parenting skills, counseling skills, and cheerleading skills, all necessary components of an assistant coach.  It will definitely be a loss for Hamline's program, but a big gain for the University of Minnesota.   Reportedly interviews for the assistant position are being held this week.
 
Quick Speculation:
 
Brian Lawton resigned his lucrative sports agency position in order to pursue an NHL General Manager job.  Lawton was reportedly spoken to about the Vancouver job after the dismissal of Dave Nonis.  Should the tongue waggers be accurate in that Doug Risebrough be lured by the bright lights and big city of Toronto's General Manager vacancy, Lawton could be mentioned for the Minnesota Wild.   His knowledge of the agent side of the business would be a great asset and he has intimate familiarity with a first round draft bust so that couldn't hurt.  But don't expect Lawton to be mentioned for the Buds' job, they'll be looking at experienced GM's like Colin Campbell, Doug Armstrong and perhaps Kevin Cheveldayoff.  The hiring of a former agent for the Vancouver job will certainly open the door wider for Lawton, however, the next time there is an opening.  
 
 
Wild Thoughts:
 
Just like France built the Maginot Line after World War I, the Minnesota Wild prepared this year's team after losing a physical battle to the Anaheim Ducks in last year's Stanley Cup playoffs, adding Chris Simon to Aaron Voros, Derek Boogaard and Todd Fedoruk to create a physical forward corps.  But when they came up against the Colorado Avalanche, just like the French found out, the war had changed and the advent of planes, just like the Avs' trade-deadline acquired defensemen and free-agent signed Forsberg, made that fortification moot.  Chris Simon was a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs, and the Wild's physical game caused them to spend more time in the penalty box and cost them any chance at scoring.  The Wild prepared for last year's playoffs instead of adding scoring for this year's playoffs and it cost them a chance to move onto the next round.  Of course losing perhaps their two best young defensemen in Kurtis Foster and Nick Schultz was a brutal blow, but the failure to put the puck in the net was the real cause of the loss.  And those roster spots taken by Voros, Boogaard and Simon could have been occupied by players more able to do that instead of trying to just intimidate opponents.  At least the Fedoruk came with the whole package but the failure of the Wild in the first round of the playoffs again is entirely due to the fact that the Wild tried to play last year's game instead of preparing for this year.  
 
Either that or they once again gave out those lame flannel towels as a promotion instead of returning to the flags from their only successful playoff run in 2003.  And don't tell me it is a liability/poking hazzard because they sell the same said flags in the Hockey Lodge so there cannot be any such liability. Put them on a shorter plastic stick if you have to but if you sell the things then don't talk to me about any liability issues.  The rags are ridiculous, cliche, and the same cheesy promotion that every team in the league doles out to their fans.  The flags were unique and created one of the most memorable pictures and emotional moments ever in the history of Xcel Energy Center.  If the Wild wants to ever recapture that 2003 playoff success they need to ditch the dishrags and bring back the Flags!!!
 
Now that the Wild have bowed early again attention will turn to this summer and next season.  

Here are Quick Facts thoughts for free agents:
 
Sign Eric Reitz now!  They have his exclusive rights until June 1st only.  He had an abysmal year last year and this year under Kevin Constantine's strict system turned it around and became a great leader.  He never got a chance to show what he could do with the Wild much but he is a Wild product and to let him go as a free agent would be a complete waste.  He is the whole package, offense, defense and special teams with physicality.  He isn't a superstar but he is definitely going to be a good addition to the Wild blueline so they need to get moving on signing him.
 
The goaltending creates an interesting situation though, the tandem in Houston is great and Khudobin seemed to make great strides as well. I'd watch that at the trade deadline, maybe see if they can ship Backstrom and his salary (LA anyone??) if Harding is playing well and use Schaefer or Brust as the backup. But perhaps the Wild would be willing to make a move sooner if they could get a better deal and avoid going into the year with that kind of controversy.
 
Preissing has always intrigued me for the Wild blueline and I think the Kings would probably part with him for picks at the draft since he ended up as a healthy scratch quite a bit last year but he may not be physical enough and he's not that cheap salary-wise.  Hainsey or Liles would be the only other defensemen I can see the Wild making a run at this summer as they need to add scoring, especially a power play point shot, not just solid defensive play with any additional blueliners.  The only prospect people haven't seen that could fit that bill may be Justin Falk, the Wild's 4th round draft pick last year.  But he's not likely to be ready to make an impact next year, though he does have some good assist numbers in the WHL with Spokane.
 
I still think, despite his age and his mediocre performance in Atlanta, that Bobby Holik could be a good center for the Wild.  He thrived under Lemaire's system and he's a brute in the corners, not to mention a face-off ace.  He could regain some of his scoring touch as well if given a rebirth of sorts.  But only if he's willing to accept a more limited contact for the opportunity to play under Lemaire.  There aren't going to be a great crop of free agent centers so unless they can dig up a free agent college or junior player or minor leaguer from somewhere there isn't likely to be a big center signing unless they make a trade.  Their mistake was trading Patrick O'Sullivan, who is the player they really needed now. But the one variable is whether prospecta Ondrej Fiala, their second round pick in 2006 who has been playing very well in the WHL the past few years, and Colton Gillies, their number one pick in the 2007 draft, can come into camp and steal jobs including one of those center positions.  If so, they may not need another free agent.  
 
Quick Facts wouldn't be surprised to see Andrew Brunette return to Minnesota to finish his career. Risebrough has admitted his mistake in letting him go and the Wild will likely be able to get him at a bargain if they give him a multi-year deal so he can retire here.  His leadership is something the Wild have lacked and he has shown that he can still play and play well with some high end players.  He'd fit well with the team and probably fit under the cap too.
 
But unless the Wild deal or buy out Mark Parrish or another higher priced player don't look for any major free agent deals.  Maybe one signing or two, the rest will be prospects or maybe a trade.  Strategically the Wild didn't have the speed or style to play the kind of game this year's playoffs needed, if they'd been the team they were in 2003, they would have been much better off.  But with the development of players like Schultz, Burns and Shepherd, and the likely additions of players like Clutterbuck, Pouliot and Jones there could be some nice changes toward that direction next season, with or without any blockbuster deals.
 

The New York Islanders are high on the list amongst the contenders to sign collegiate free agent defenseman Jack Hillen from Colorado College but may not be signing Denver forward Rhett Rhakshani until next year according to a source in the Islanders.  Hillen, a Minnetonka native, is a Holy Angels grad.

Thomas Vanek certainly picks up his game this time of year.  Vanek scored three consecutive goals in less than 8 minutes, including the game winner with just under 7 minutes remaining in the third period, his natural hat trick part of a six-goal third period surge by the Sabres as they topped the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-4 on Wednesday.  
 
Kyle Okposo scored his first NHL assist and goal against the New Jersey Devils in his second game against Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils.  The assist came on Blake Comeau's goal early in the first period and the goal was the game-winner on the power play late in the third period, on his only shot on goal.  He was named the game's number one star of the game.  Okposo has a goal and three assists in seven games with the Islanders this season after scoring eight goals and 16 assists in 29 games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
 
Junior Lessard has been recalled by the Lightning for the final games of the season.
 
Grant Potulny is ranked 18th in the AHL in goal scoring with 25 goal in 68 games with both the Hershey Bears and the Springfield Falcons.
 
Joe Motzko ranks 11th in league scoring in the AHL with 65 total points (24G, 41A) in 65 games with the Chicago Wolves and Hershey Bears, and is 4th in power play goals with 15.
 
Sean Curry is 4th in the AHL in +/- with a +28 rating with the Providence Bruins.
 
Former North Star Craig Hartsburg will not return to coach the Canadian Junior team in the World Championships in 2009.  Hartsburg coached the Canadians to gold medals in the WJC in 2007 & 2008.
 
Former North Star Mike Gartner went to Afghanistan with Bob Probert and other members of the NHL Alumni Association with the Stanley Cup on a good-will tour visiting members of the military serving there.
 
John Pohl talking about Red Wing, Minnesota on Leafstv.com.

There has been talk that Jeff Frazee may leave the Gophers and sign with the Devils after this season but if he does that he would be behind at least three other goaltenders.  Devils prospects Jordan Parise and  are currently playing with the Lowell Devils of the AHL and Jason Smith is 3-0-0 with two shutouts with a 0.33 goals against average in his last three starts with the Trenton Devils ECHL affiliate.   
 
The Pittsburgh Penguins have put contract talks with Ryan Malone on hold until the end of the season.  The former St. Cloud State Husky is slated to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
 
Rookie goaltender John Curry, who has won eight straight starts, is tied for the AHL lead in GAA (2.04).  Curry had his first official fight while his parents were in attendance.  Curry fought John McDonald of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers who is somewhat notorious and has three bouts to his record.  Curry wasn't going to join the fray until waved on by Todd Richards after McDonald had already made it an unfair fight on the other end of the ice. Curry reportedly said later he probably wouldn't have had he known about McDonald's pugilist past.
 
Vadenis Heights native Joe Dustin was released by the Bakersfield Condors after playing with the club all season.  He was immediately picked up by the Stockton Thunder.
 
PJ Atherton has been reassigned to the Reading Royals after three weeks with the AHL club.In 51 games with the Royals  he had 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists) and 46 penalty minutes.  He missed six games in February due to injury but was still ranked at the top among the ECHL's defensive leaders with 38 points before the recall,
 
Clay Wilson of Sturgeon Lake will finish the season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Wilson was recalled on the 25th, has already scored a goal and an assist in three games with the Jackets and has been called "impressive" by local media folks.  The puck moving defenseman is a product of Michigan Tech and has paid his dues in the minors for some time after going undrafted and beginning in the UHL with the Muskegon Fury and playing as a depth defenseman and converted left wing with the Anaheim organization until a trade this season brought him to the Blue Jackets.
 
Luke Curtin is two games shy of playing 500 games in the ECHL.  Curtin is currently playing with the Fresno Falcons and there are two games remaining in the regular season so he is on pace to reach the landmark in the final game of the season.
 
The Texas Wildcatters are on pace to break the Louisiana IceGators all time ECHL points record if they win either of their last two games to finish the season.  Both the Wildcatters and IceGators were Wild affiliates.
 
Tyler Hirsch has two goals and three assists in nine games since being traded to the Stockton Thunder from the Johnstown Chiefs.
 
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton rookie goaltender and former Breck standout John Curry will enter the AHL Chat Room on Thursday, Apr. 3, to answer fans’ questions… Visit theahl.com for more details.
 
Bobby Goepfert went 2-0-0 with a 0.96 goals against record and .955 save percentage with the Augusta Lynx last week.
 
The Houston Aeros are auctioning off Saint Patrick's Day jersey's here including those worn by former Gophers Troy Riddle and Danny Irmen. The bidding closed on April 9th.
 
Karl Goehring was named AHL Goalie of the Month in the AHL for the Syracuse Crunch going 7-0-1 in eight appearances last month, registering a 1.59 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage.  Goehring is 9-0-2 in his last 11 decisions and 13-9-2 in 27 total appearances this season with Syracuse, Norfolk and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, along with a 2.34 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and one shutout and was a two-time All-American at the University of North Dakota.  And just as his BC Eagles were securing their third consecutive Frozen Four bid Cory Schneider was named Rookie of the Month in the AHL backstopping the Manitoba Moose with a stellar 6-0-1 record with a 1.27 goals-against average, a .950 save percentage and two shutouts in seven appearances last month. Ironically, the two outstanding AHL goalies' schools will meet each other in the first round of the Frozen Four in Denver.
 
Quick Speculation:
 
Quick Facts expects the Hobey Hat Trick to be Nathan Gerbe of Boston College, Ryan Jones of Miami-Ohio and Kevin Porter of Michigan.
 
Quick Facts wouldn't be surprised to see the Phoenix Coyotes wait until later this summer to sign Blake Wheeler or even trade the rights to him at this year's draft. The Coyotes are  loaded with prospects, especially with Porter of Michigan coming in when he is eliminated from the Frozen Four, and Wheeler didn't have the season the Coyotes had hoped from him.  They still like him, but Wheeler is no doubt looking for top pick money and the Yotes aren't likely looking to pay that, so there could be a waiting game until later this year, especially now that they have Turris in the stable.  It is still quite doubtful that Wheeler returns to the Gophers.
 
 
Quick Quotes:
 
"It feels great to be fufilling a life long dream and I am going to make the best of it and try to win as many games as possible coming down the stretch"

- Kyle Okposo after playing his first NHL game with the NY Islanders against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
 
"And when Erik Johnson scores a goal for the Blues, they can blare Sandy McFiddish screaming "Gophers?! Where?!"

- John Buccigross in his ESPN column as a suggestion for in-game entertainment for the Dallas Stars, who play Caddyshack clips.

 

"He loved the golden gophers, but he hated all the drawn-out winters." -- "Stuck Between Stations" by The Hold Steady - another comment from John Buccigross' ESPN column

 

"He's a very dynamic player who plays hard and has a skill set that allows him to do what he did" - Kevin Dineen on Clay Wilson scoring his first goal and assist in his second NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks. (Columbus Dispatch)

 

The challenge for Clay will be whether he can keep up with the intensity and speed up here. But what we see is really nice." Ken Hitchcock on Clay Wilson (Columbus Dispatch)

Quick Facts Feature: Gophers Vs. St. Cloud

Quick Facts Exclusive: John Pohl flew home to Rochester this morning to be with his brother Tom at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester after the younger Pohl underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and to alleviate subsequent bleeding on the brain after the Gopher was injured during the WCHA playoff game in Mankato.  Now that Tom has been stabilized in Intensive Care, John Pohl will re-join the Leafs in New York tomorrow.  Leafs head coach Paul Maurice said Pohl is due to be activated off Injured Reserve this weekend but not for the Toronto Maple Leafs game vs the New York Islanders game that will mark the NHL debut of Kyle Okposo. Tom Pohl was Okposo's roomate this season and was reportedly happy for him to sign with the Islanders. John Pohl has missed 20 games with an ankle injury.  John Pohl has missed 20 games with an ankle injury.


The Buffalo Sabres have released a new Thomas Vanek Wallpaper.  The Sabres have suffered detrimental injuries to their blueline and are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs despite an offensive surge by Vanek at the end of the season.  
 

Andy Hedlund finished the Deutche Eishockey Liga with 12 goals and 23 assists in 55 games with the DEG MetroStars.  He has one assist with the MetroStars currently in the playoffs against the Hannover Scorpions but the Scorpions won the first game of the 3-game series 4-3.  Hedlund's teammate Jeff Panzer was scoreless in the first playoff game and a -2.  The winner of the series will meet Eisbaren Berlin in next round of the playoffs.

Former Wild prospect/free agent signee Christoph Bradner has a goal and an assist for the Hamburg Freezers, tops in DEL playoff scoring through one game of the DEL playoffs, .  The Freezers who dropped their first game to ERC Ingolstadt in the first of the three-game play in series, will play the Sinupret Ice Tigers in the next round should they win the series.

Adam Hauser will backstop Adler Mannheim against Kölner Haie beginning March 18th when the play-in games of the DEL playoffs are completed.  Hauser finished the regular season with a 2.87 goals against average and .91 save percentage in 51 games.

Erik Westrum had 33 goals and 35 assists in 50 games with HC Ambrii Piotti in the Swiss Elite League, tops in points. The Swiss Elite League scoring leader board is a veritable who's who of former Wild player and prospect names including Stacey Roest, listed 5th in scoring with 54 points for Rappenswill, Julien Sprunger (4th round draft pick of Wild in 2004), 14th in scoring with 47 points for Fribourg-Gotteroun, Sebastian Bordeleau 15th with 47 points for HC Bern, Alexandre Daigle, 20th in scoring with 43 points for HC Davos, Kirby Law, 22nd with 42 points for HC Servette Geneve and Hnat Domenichelli 25th with 40 points for HC Ambri Piotti.  Whew, seems the Wild has turned into the farm system for the Swiss Nationaliga!  Westrum is hosting two charity events this spring and summer for the Parkinson's Association of Minnesota.  See below for details on a special dinner at Bayport Cookery.

Dan Welch is on a four-game assist streak (7a) with the Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL.

Bret Hedican and his family will be watching his wife's debut on ABC's Dancing with the Stars Monday night.  Hedican only has two schedule conflicts in the regular season for show nights where his Hurricanes, who are leading the Southwest Division by a large margin, play the same night as she performs.

The Dayton Bombers of the ECHL have signed St. Cloud native Jim Henkemeyer.  The defenseman spent the last four years at the University of Wisconsin River Falls where he was named a Division III All-American and tallied 68 points (18g,50a) in his 95 game career.

After having only a goal and two assists in nine games with the Alaska Aces, Gino Guyer has potted ten goals and 21 assists with the Phoenix Roadrunners in 47 games since the traded. He had played with Justin Maiser until Maiser was traded to the Charlotte Checkers recently for Dusty Jamieson.  Teammate Bryan Nathe, an Elk River native, is five games away from 250 in his career.

Mike Lundin was a recent subject of an NHL.com Lundin has yet to score an NHL goal but scored his first NHL point against the Boston Bruins in October early in the season.  He was selected to play in the NHL YoungStars game in Atlanta this season.

David Tanabe remains out of the Carolina Hurricanes lineup with post-concussion syndrome and right now his future with the team and in the game is in question.  Tanabe suffered the concussion in December but according to a recent news story his post-concussive symptoms have been puzzling as they mirror those of someone who has suffered multiple head traumas but the Hurricanes believe Tanabe has only suffered only one previous concussion.  Tanabe is reportedly not able to undergo any physical activity without symptoms currently.  The former Badger is under contract with the Hurricanes, who drafted him in 1999, but can buy out the remaining year of this contract for only $600,000 this summer.

On Wednesday night, Mike Modano became the first hockey player inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Brandon Schwartz put off attending William Mitchell School of Law to play for the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL.  

Former Gopher Andy Sertich, who has been playing very well for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, was knocked out of a very physical game on Friday, with a concussion.  The Sound Tigers believed that Tim Wallace left his feet to deliver the hit to Sertich, but no penalty was called on the play.  A retaliation attempt by Drew Fata sparked an all-out brawl that ended up involving the goaltenders, including Shorewood's John Curry, who was ejected after receiving a minor, a major and a game misconduct for fighting and leaving the crease.  Before he was ejected Curry allowed just one goal and the Sound Tigers ended up losing the game 4-1.  Kyle Okposo was named the game's unsung hero by the Connecticut Post for being the game's strongest skater with 6 shots on net.  Sertich remained out for the weekend after the concussion.

Curry has had a great March with the Baby Pens, with four straight wins, a 1.96 goals-against-average and a .938 save percentage.

It is expected to be Okposo's last game with the Sound Tigers for a time as he has been recalled and will get his first start with the Islanders when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday on Long Island.  The club is offering 50% off all tickets in a massive promotional campaign, trotting out their new poster boy of the future.  Okposo will play the nine final games of the season with the Islanders and then return to the Sound Tigers for their final games and if the Tigers pull off a late season surge, the Calder Cup playoffs.  

Jordan Leopold told Quick Facts he was "fine" but he hasn't played since being nailed by Steve Ott in the head. Ott was suspended three games by the NHL.  The Avs have recalled Wyatt Smith meaning the Avalanche, should Leopold be okay to play, will have at least four Minnesota connected players in the lineup when they face Minnesota on Monday.  The others are Kurt Sauer and Jeff Finger and of course the Avs also feature former Wild fan favorite Andrew Brunette.

  

Quick Quotes:

"If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net."  

-Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich (Washington Post)


 "I flew under the radar. I wasn't a big recruit.  I was coming right out of high school, and not many schools wanted a kid from Apple Valley High School. The Minnesota schools wanted me to go play in the USHL, but Maine wanted me to play the next year, and it's tough to turn down a school like Maine.  It's a great program, everywhere I go someone always has a connection there. They do a good job of getting guys ready for the next level."

- Tampa Bay Lightning Defenseman Mike Lundin about going out East to play for the Black Bears (NHL.com)

 
"He doesn't do anything great, but with him, it's his awareness, where he is on the ice. You can't teach awareness like that."

-Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach John Tortorella on Mike Lundin (NHL.com)

 
"Definitely. Why not? But he's playing pretty well down there, and maybe a good finish down there [would be best]. He could just ride it out and try to get that team in the playoffs and give him a little taste. But here, it would also be good."

- Islanders head coach Ted Nolan on whether he would like to see Kyle Okposo finish the season with the Islanders. (newsday.com)

 
"It would be foolish to think we're rushing him in any way. He's been one of the best forwards in Bridgeport, averaging just under a point a game. He's earned a chance to put on an Islanders uniform and play at the NHL level. At the end of the day, it will be a good opportunity for him to compete. In no way are we rushing him. He's proven he's capable of playing in the NHL."

- Garth Snow on Kyle Okposo (newsday.com)

 
"It's a great honour being the first hockey guy going in, in the land of football and baseball. This is a huge deal to me."

- Mike Modano on being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (CP)

 
"He's been a solid two-way player for us.  You bet we're glad he's here. He's a very intelligent player who has also been a real leader for this team, He's had some very big goals."

-Stockton Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki on Brandon Schwartz (Stockton Record)


"The thing about him is that he's so confident with the puck.  He never panics with the puck in his own zone or in the offensive zone. He's hard to get the puck away from. He sees the ice well, he loves to score goals and we've been pleasantly surprised with him."

-Phoenix Coyotes head coach Wayne Gretzky on Peter Mueller (Edmonton Sun)

"It was important to me to carry myself in a way so the younger guys can see that it's not about your personal situation as much as it's about what you can do to help the team and help the program.  In the past there have been a number of players that have been through here and recent history it has just kind have been one stop on their journey; playing for the University and helping the program wasn't the highest thing on their priority list.  It was more 'so how can I use the University to better my own career.'  And what I've always tried to do is put the program and the team first, and show the other guys that's important.  It's good to be ambitious in your personal career but the team should be first and if you put the team first the rest will follow."  

-University of Minnesota Senior Tom Pohl on his Gopher career

Travis Morin has been reassigned back to the South Carolina Stingrays after a brief recall to the Hershey Bears of the AHL.  The former Minnesota State, Mankato Maverick was scoreless in his four-game stint with the Bears.
 
Former University of North Dakota player and coach John Marks surpassed John Brophy's coaching wins record on February 29th. The Pensacola Ice Pilots' coach recorded his 481st in a 5-4 shootout victory over the Florida Everblades to become the ECHL's all-time winningest coach.
 
Former University of Minnesota, Duluth Bulldog defenseman Ryan Geris will miss the remainder of the season with the Stockton Thunder after suffering a concussion after an altercation with his own teammate, forward Pat Bateman, at Geris' residence. Alexandria native Geris had a goal and seven assists in 42 games with the Thunder. Geris missed the end of his senior season at UMD because of post-concussion syndrome. Bateman, who played at Northern Michigan, has been suspended by the Thunder for the remainder of the season.
 
Tyler Hirsch was traded from the Johnstown Chiefs to the Stockton Thunder on Saturday, likely to fill the void left by the suspension of Bateman and because the Thunder are shorthanded due to recalls to the AHL. Hirsch was supposed to fly to the team but due to weather concerns ended up having to drive to California and was expected to be with the Thunder by Tuesday or Wednesday.  Stockton doesn't play again until Friday.
 
Kyle Okposo scored his eighth goal of the season on Saturday night as his Bridgeport Sound Tigers were defeated in a shootout by the Portland Pirates 5-4, the same night the Gophers were defeated by the UMD Bulldogs and saw their NCAA hopes grow dimmer.  Okposo now has 22 points in 26 games as a professional. He had eleven points in 18 games with the Gophers before leaving mid-season.
 
Andy Sertich is having a great season with the SOund Tigers since being signed midseason after beginning the year with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL.
 
Troy Riddle has been recalled by the Houston Aeros to replace Steve Kelly, who is up with the Wild.  Riddle had an assist in his first game back with the Aeros.  He had a hat trick for the Wildcatters last week prior to the recall.
 
Aaron Fox lead the Erste Bank Eishockey Bundesliga in scoring this season with 33 goals and 39 assists in 52 games with the Vienna Capitals, finishing 12 points ahead of any other scorer.
 
Luke Curtin has reached 380 career assists in the ECHL to rank fifth all time in league history.  Curtin is currently playing with the Fresno Falcons.
 
Former Gopher and 1st overall draft pick Erik Johnson has a goal and seven assists in the last month of play with the St. Louis Blues.
 


Quick Speculation:
 
Quick Facts believes that Blake Wheeler may sign with the Coyotes this spring when the Gophers playoff run is completed.  While the Coyotes have been patient with Wheeler through his three years of eligibility it isn't reasonable to expect them to let him return for his senior season after which he could become an unrestricted free agent.  He could be assigned to the San Antonio Rampage, or if the Coyotes are out of playoff contention, get a test shot with the big club.
 
Derek Peltier may also play with the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL once his season is complete, signing an Amateur Tryout agreement with the club to get a few games in before the season ends. The AHL regular season ends April 13th.

Look for Kyle Okposo to be recalled to the New York Islanders anytime after Saturday's game versus the Montreal Canadiens.  The Islanders can play Okposo for nine games without a full year of his contract kicking in, there will be nine games left in the regular season for NY after Saturday's game and the Islanders are not playoff bound so Snow and Nolan are virtually guaranteed to test Okposo for a few games with the big club to finish the season.
 
 

Minnesota-connected players in NHL deadline day trades

Blaine native Brandon Bochenski from Anaheim Ducks to Nashville Predators for Future Considerations
Bemidji native Joe Motzko from Washington Capitals to Atlanta Thrashers for Alex Giroux
 
Former Wild forward Pascal Dupuis with Marian Hossa to Penguins for Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito & 1st Round pick

Former Wild prospect goalie Johan Holmqvist from Tampa Bay Lightning with Brad Richards to Dallas Stars for Mike Smith, Jussi Jokinen, Jeff Halpern & 4th Round Pick
 
Minnesota Wild acquire Chris Simon from New York Islanders for 6th Round draft pick


02.21.08

Gino Guyer tallied his first game-winning goal as a professional, and it came as a deflection off his skate as the Phoenix Roadrunners edged the Idaho Steelheads 5-4 in overtime on Friday, February 15th.  The winning goal was set up by Bryan Nathe.  The win was overshadowed when Steelheads' forward Lance Galbraith elbowed Roadrunner rookie Thatcher Bell.  Bell had to be helped off the ice and was later taken by stretcher to an ambulance and to a hospital with a severe concussion.  Galbraith has been suspended by the ECHL.
 
Brandon Bochenski has been placed on waivers by the Anaheim Ducks who just acquired the forward in a trade with the Boston Bruins.  Speculation is that the Ducks are making cap and roster room for a trade deadline move.
 
Alex Goligoski made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins last week playing in one game with no points.  
 
They continue to have problems with the ice at "The Rock" the new building in Newark for the New Jersey Devils.  Reportedly the issue is with the refrigeration computers for the ice.  Ironically the problem isn't that the ice is too soft, rather that it is too brittle so that the ice chips and the puck bounces too much on the chips.
 
With Peter Forsberg off the market Mark Parrish no longer has to worry about possibly having to give up his #21 sweater.
 
Former North Stars General Manager Bobby Clarke, better known for his tenure with Philadelphia Flyers and also their affiliate Phantoms, will be inducted into the AHL Phantoms Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Spectrum on Sunday, March 20.
 
Joe Jensen was recently traded to the Carolina Hurricanes from the Pittsburgh Penguins.  He was recalled to the Hurricanes from the Albany River Rats to replace an injured Rod Brind'Amour who is out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL.  He played in his first NHL game, a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.
 
The Minnesota Wild's ECHL affiliate Texas Wildcatters are dominating the AA minor league.  They clinched a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs in a league record 48 games and if they can win their next two games, they will reach 90 points in 54 games, which would break the league record of 55 games set by the Louisiana IceGators in 2001-02.  Interestingly, Louisiana was also the Wild's ECHL affiliate then.

One issue certain to come up at the General Managers meeting is the NHL's relationship with NCAA hockey.  Three college commissioners are scheduled to address the GMs to discuss their concerns about the number players departing college early and especially the recent mid-season departure of Kyle Okposo to sign professionally with the New York Islanders.  Colleges would like to prevent that from becoming a common trend.  One of the big concerns is the disparity between college draftees and those selected from Junior teams in Canada as a player who does not make an NHL team is reassigned back to his Junior team but amateur rules prevent that from occuring for college teams.  
 
Bret Hedican's wife, figure skating star Kristi Yamaguchi has been selected to be a contestant on this season of Dancing with the Stars.  The Hedican household has been hectic with two kids, Kristi practicing and Bret's hockey schedule.  Kristi is also headed to Los Angeles soon with the show starting soon so Bret is in charge at home despite his busy schedule, though they do have help.  Unfortunately Hedican will not be able to join his wife in the audience because the Hurricanes will still be playing and are currently in playoff contention.  Said Hedican "We are very excited about her opportunity on the show and it will be a lot of fun watching!"
 
Congratulations to Ryan & Abby Malone on the birth of their first child William "Will" Ryan Malone, born Friday, February 8th.  Malone was made Assistant Captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins when Gary Roberts suffered a broken leg and has seen his ice time increase to over 20 minutes a game and he has seven goals and six assists since Sidney Crosby went down with a high ankle sprain.  Malone, whose father Greg was a Penguin, will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
 
Thomas Vanek seems to have found his game now that the Buffalo Sabres are fighting for a playoff spot.  He has scored his first two career hat tricks including a natural hat trick on February 20th that included a game-winning overtime winner.
 
Former Octagon sports agent and North Star Brian Lawton will be working for the Sportsnet in Canada as a Trade Deadline Day Analyst.  Lawton resigned his agency and turned over his clients to pursue his desire to become an NHL General Manager.
 
 
 
Quick Speculation:
 
Look for Kyle Okposo to get a shot with the New York Islanders at the end of the season.  They can play him up to nine games without triggering contract issues.
 
Quick Facts still believes that if the Wild can pull off a good deal to acquire center Bobby Holik from the Atlanta Thrashers, that would be a deal Doug Risebrough would make, if he didn't have to give up too much in return.  With the Thrashers back in playoff contention dealing Holik becomes a harder deal to make for Don Waddell, but it is still a real possibility with Holik becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1st and the Thrashers a very longshot for a real Cup run.  Holik is great at faceoffs and all reports out of Atlanta have him playing very well of late.  The Thrashers could be willing to part with Holik for draft picks and/or prospects but Quick Facts wouldn't be surprised to see the Wild involved in a three-team deal with Holik and Hossa as the Thrashers' key pieces of the puzzle with the Wild dealing Benoit Pouliot and recieving Holik and another team's puzzle pieces with that team receiving Hossa and the Thrashers receiving Pouliot and the other team's pieces as well.  Of course Quick Facts wouldn't be surprised to see the Wild end up dealing with another team acquiring both a center and a scoring defenseman or defensive prospect, using Pouliot as bait.
 
The Courier-Post has also speculated that the Flyers would be willing to shop former Gopher Ryan Potulny in a package in exchange for the Buffalo Sabres' Brian Campbell.
 
Also possible to be shopped is Colorado Avalanche draft pick Ryan Stoa, who could be viewed as a valuable part of trade package.
 
The Carolina Hurricanes could be looking to part with Bret Hedican, who will be a UFA this summer,  at the trade deadline.  Hedican is thought to maybe be close to retirement due to multiple injuries.  
 
There are rumblings that Phil Kessel could be moved by the Boston Bruins if they determine that he is never going to blossom into his full potential with the B's.  Basically a cut and run move on their part trying to get as much for him as they can.   Kessel's finishing ability and physicality have both been called into question often in Boston.
 
With Kyle Okposo's regular linemates recalled to the NHL Islanders Bridgeport Sound Tigers head coach Jack Capuano moved him from his usual right wing spot to left wing for a while.  On a 5-on-3 power play he played left point and scored on a one-timer.  Okposo has five goals and ten assists in 14 games with the Sound Tigers this season.  He is living alone in Jeff Tambellini's house, reportedly watching a lot of "Lost", while his roomie is on recall to the Isle.  Okposo recently was struck with one of the viruses that are circulating hockey locker rooms and knocked out several of his Tigers teammates.
 

Quick Take:
 
The Golden Gophers don't seem to be able to find a scoring touch any which way.  One line that used to find output when first put together was that of Howe-Kaufman-Pohl.  Why not put the Seniors back together and see what leadership they can bring to help Minnesota make one last late-season push to at least score more than one goal a game?  What could it hurt?
 

Quick Quotes:
 
"I can’t believe this.  He always was out there a ways."

- Former Moose teammate Sandy Smith on Larry DePalma's arrest on Extortion charges.


"He's playing so well because of the confidence he instills in himself, confidence and desire. He wants to be the best player he can be, not just in college, not just in the American League, but when he gets to the NHL, too. And he's very humble in the way he does it. He's playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of poise. He's playing like he's been in the league for the whole year."

- Sound Tigers Head Coach Jack Capuano on Kyle Okposo (Connecticut Post)


"Definitely, I want to stay here. I don't even want to think about something happening and me not being here. I love the guys in this room. I've made life-long friends in here."

- Ryan Malone on wanting to remain a Pittsburgh Penguin.

Tyler Pitlick was in for a visit with the Gophers when they played UND.  Pitlick, nephew of former Gopher Lance Pitlick, is playing for Centennial HS and is a top recruit.

The Houston Aeros are auctioning off special Old School jerseys. Former Gopher Dan Irmen's jersey is currently listed at a high bid of $375.  Cal Clutterbuck's sweater is topping the list at $750.


Troy Riddle is currently on recall with the Houston Aeros from the Texas Wildcatters.
 
P.J. Atherton has 11 points (4g-7a) in his last 10 games with the Reading Royals of the ECHL.
 
John Adams was named the ECHL Plus Performer of the Month for January.  Adams was plus or even in 12 of his 13 games in January for the Texas Wildcatters and he has been even or better in 38 of his 45 games this season. He ended the month ranked second among ECHL defensemen and fourth overall with a team-leading plus-minus rating of +22. Adams is tied for the team lead among defensemen with five goals while he is third among defensemen on the team with 10 assists and 15 points.

The Minnesota Wild affiliate Texas Wildcatters can clinch a berth in the Kelly Cup playoffs this weekend.

The trade to the Norfolk Admirals seems to have worked out well for Junior Lessard, who now has a four-game point scoring streak going with the Ads (2-3-5).

Both Matt Hendricks (2-2-4) and Sean Curry (2-4-6) are in the midst of  three-game scoring streaks with their Providence Bruins of the AHL.

Goaltender Adam Berkhoel made 29 saves for the Grand Rapids Griffins in their 3-2 win over the Iowa Stars on Feb. 2.  It was was Berkhoel’s first win since Oct. 27, snapping a personal 0-6-3 drought.  Berkhoel is 1-0-1 with a 1.45 GAA and .945 save percentage over his last two outings with the Griffins.

Bloomington's Toby Petersen, an All Star this season, continues to lead the Iowa Stars in all offensive categories – goals (17), assists (25), and points (42) – through 50 games this season.  He has also scored the game’s first marker five times, a team high.

The Toronto Marlies have the AHL’s best penalty-killing unit at 87.0% for the season.  Former Gopher Chris Harrington plays on that unit.

Luke Curtin has an eight-game point streak (6g-10a) and a four-game assist streak (5a) with the Fresno Falcons.

Former North Dakota Sioux player and coach John Marks is two wins away from the all-time record for coaching wins in the ECHL.   With two more victories he ties John Brophy with 480 wins.  He is likely to hit the mark with the Pensacola Ice Pilots this weekend.

Erik Westrum will finish his first season with HC Ambri Piotta in Switzerland soon. He is ranked third in scoring in the league with 28 goals 32 assists in 42 games. He reports that he has loved it and has a contract to return to the club for two more years.  Westrum will host a special dinner at his brother's restaurant, Bayport Cookery, as a benefit for Parkinsons Association of Minnesota and will again hold an auction later this summer.  Details will be forthcoming on both events soon.

Aaron Fox is the scoring leader of the Austrian Erste Bank Eishockey Liga with 31 goals and 33 assists in 45 games with the Vienna Capitals.  Kelly Fairchild is ranked 30th in the league with 36 points in 45 games with the Caps.  

Former Gopher Craig Johnson has 3 goals and 6 assists in 23 games since signing with Red Bulls Salzburg mid-season.

 
Quick Speculation:

Quick Facts thinks the Wild may be in the conversation as a possible trading partner for the Atlanta Thrashers' Bobby Holik, someone Jacques Lemaire has a history with from his time with the Devils.   There has been great speculaton that the Wild are looking to acquire Marian Hossa but they may be more able to get the solid two-way Holik.  The Wild have a great young prospect in Beniot Pouliot to use as trade bait and will be looking to get rid of one of their surplus defensemen like Nummilen, Hill, Carney, Foster or Skoula (they'll have to keep some vets for the playoffs but don't have room for all of them when they aren't scoring).   They could also throw Shawn Belle and Derek Boogaard into a trade package as well as draft picks.  They need a more physical scoring forward with a two-way game, and a big centerman and they need a scoring defenseman who can work the point on the power play.  I wouldn't rule out them moving Rolston, Demitra or Bouchard if they think they can't keep one of them this summer.  It depends on what they think they can win with the team they have.   Other names they could be in the market for, Shea Weber (D), Brian Campbell (D), Dan Boyle (D), Oli Jokinen (C), Jeff Carter (C), Michael Ryder (F).  Don't look for them to go for the older veteran players like Rob Blake who are likely just acquisitions for a playoff run this year rather than a long-term signing.  Just don't look for the Wild to be able to get rid of Kim Johnsson and his monstrous contract in any trade deals.

Toby Petersen scored on a penalty shot during the AHL All Star Game, the first penalty shot in AHL All Star Game history.
 
Wild prospective goaltender Anton Khudobin is second in the ECHL with 19 wins and third with a goals-against average of 2.06 and a save percentage of .932.

Tim Conboy served an automatic one game suspension for incurring his third instigator penalty of the season with the Albany River Rats.
 
Maple Grove's Joe Jensen was traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Carolina Hurricanes for David Gove.  It was a difficult trade for Gove, an AHL veteran who was the captain of the Canes' affiliate in Albany but is a good opportunity for Jensen who wasn't getting a lot of ice time in Wilkes Barre.
 
Zach Parise scored his first career overtime game-winning goal to move the New Jersey Devils into a three-way tie in the Atlantic Division on Monday.
 
Ryan Malone and his wife Abby are expecting their first child, a boy, on February 8th.  During the New Jersey Devils/Penguins game commentators Eddie Olczyk and Doc Emerik speculated on names, with Emerik choosing Malone's father's name Gregory and Olczyk joking it should be Buggsy.  Malone was married over the summer.
 
Dan Boeser is close to returning to the Elmira Jackals lineup and will try to return without having surgery on a knee injury.  He has been out with the injury since the team bus ran off the road injuring the driver and several players, including Boeser, in November.  The Savage native overcame follicular B-cell Lymphoma while playing for the University of Wisconsin Badgers.  Boeser played under Martinson with the UHL Rockford IceHogs last season.  
 
Gino Guyer has nine points (4g-5a) in his last nine games for the Phoenix Roadrunners.
 
Duvie Westcott has been put on re-entry waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets meaning if another team claims him, they are only responsible for half contract. He has a three year deal making $1.1 million this year, $1.85 million next year and $1.85 million in 2010.  The Blue Jackets would have to pay the other half of that salary if another team claims him.  The other option is that the Jackets could buy him out for 75% of the value of his contract at the end of the year.  The former St. Cloud State Husky has been up and down with the Blue Jackets since signing with them as a free agent in 2001.
 
Barry Tallackson and Erik Rasmussen's season with the Lowell Devils sounds eerily similar to that of their alma mater Gophers;  the AHL Devils are struggling for offense and even when they take a lead into the third period they cannot hold on, but they also have a record of 11-1-2-3 when scoring three or more goals.  Tallackson scored a go-ahead goal in the third last weekend to put the Devils up 2-1 but the Springfield Falcons came back to tie late and win in overtime.  Minnesota native head coach Kurt Kleinendorst's quotes are even sounding peculiarly similar to Don Lucia's quotes (see Quick Quotes below) following losses.  Rasmussen returned to the Devils after spending the holidays with his wife in Minnesota following the arrival of their first child, son Owen.  Tallackson leads the Lowell Devils in goals with 13.
 
Here's an interesting injury for you, Pascal Morency has been out for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers since Thanksgiving since getting into a fight with the Hartford Wolf Pack's Jake Taylor.  Morency's fist went into Taylor's tooth according to reports, suffering a cut that got infected and required surgery.
 
Alex Goligoski, who was a last minute replacement for Jeff Taffe in the AHL All Star game but went scoreless in the mid-season classic, recently took an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in a game against the Norfolk Admirals that pretty much ended up costing the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins the game.  No one can find out what Goligoski said to referee Paul Fraser to draw the call, but obviously it was similar to what Blake Wheeler said to Don Adam on Saturday.  Goligoski was recalled to the Penguins on Tuesday.
 
The Providence Bruins are the best team in the AHL and are on pace to break the points total and wins records for the league.  Playing with the Boston affiliate are Minnesotans Sean Curry, Matt Hendricks
 
Kyle Okposo has two goals and eight assists in eleven games since signing with the Islanders mid-season. He returned to Minnesota and was seen hanging out with friends on campus during the AHL All Star break last weekend.
 
John Pohl is day-to-day with a knee injury for the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Former Wisconsin Badger Robbie Earl has been recalled in his stead.


 
Quick Speculation:
 
Look for Kyle Okposo to be in the lineup for the Islanders when they come to the X to play the Wild on February 9th.  The New York is in injury trouble with Mike Sillinger out for three weeks and a flu bug going around the dressing room.  Okposo's two Bridgeport linemates, Jeff Tambellini and Jeff Nielsen have already been recalled to the Isle.
 
Don't be surprised to see Phil Kessel moved from the Bruins sooner rather than later, he may even get moved at the deadline this year.
 
Former Detroit Red Wings star Darren McCarty launched his comeback in the IHL (formerly the UHL) with the Flint Generals and has earned a PTO with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Don't be surprised if he ends up with the Red Wings for depth and grit for the playoffs.
 
The Minnesota Wild was interested in Jason Blake this summer but lost out in the bidding war to Toronto.  He would be a $4 million annual cap hit but could be reunited with buddy and former Islanders linemate Mark Parrish if acquired.  Or could Jacques Lemaire lobby for one of his former favorites in Bobby Holik, a great two-way center who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer with the Thrashers? The Wild have several prospects they aren't likely going to use that teams would like to stockpile.  Of course what the Wild really need is a scoring defenseman.  Names like Shea Weber, John-Michael Liles or Dan Boyle could be good additions to the Wild blueline if they could exchange players like Skoula, Belle and picks in exchange.  Sean Hill hasn't added the offense expected when he was signed this summer so there is a need for that on defense for the playoffs.  Trade deadline is fast approaching so will be interesting to see what the Wild do, especially if Parrish's concussion symptoms persist.
 


Quick Take:
 
While Quick Facts commends the University of North Dakota for the strong message it has sent in the two-game suspension of Men's Hockey Coach Dave Hakstol, Quick Facts is dismayed that there has been a lack of attention to the language used by coaches on the Golden Gopher bench as well.  While the University of Minnesota coaches may not have used an obscene gesture toward referee Don Adam you can be certain that there were obscenities spewed by Minnesota coaches, and those were also captured by television and other video cameras, and those should be addressed equitably by the Gopher Administration if they want to show as much courage as the Sioux Administration has in suspending Hakstol.  It is the correct message that even though the officiating can definitely be questioned in the WCHA this season, abuse of officials is never to be tolerated, and certainly obscene and vulgar language by a representative of a University is definitely unacceptable behavior at any time.
 


Quick Take II:
 
Matt Cullen continues to have vision problems from a head injury suffered during a game on Boxing Day this year.  He came back to play in a game a few days following the injury but was later placed on Injured Reserved with post-concussion syndrome.  Now Mark Parrish suffers a severe head injury during a game and yet is allowed to continue to play in the same game for several shifts before being removed for the remainder of the game.  There was supposed to be a greater level of measurement and guarding of a player's health in regard to concussions following the lockout, even going so far as to instituting a concussion checklist but now players all know how to cheat the answers to that test in order to get back on the ice sooner, but all they are doing is cheating their health, and possibly their future.  With all we have learned about the dangerous implications of repeated concussions why is there still not greater care taken until complete evaluations, without taking a tough-guy player's word for it, can be done.  You would think that these players would have figured out by now that even a minor symptom by now is nothing to mess with when it comes to a head injury, especially when the next hit you incur while still suffering those symptoms could cause permanent irreparable damage.
 
 
Quick Quotes:
 
"Players at this level, it’s the reason why they’re here. They’re here to get to the next level. For the majority of the guys that started the year here with us, their goal is to play in the NHL, play at the highest level, play for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He gets to go up there, practice with the guys. Hopefully he gets to put on a jersey and get into a game. It’s very well deserved on his part."  

- Former Gopher defenseman and Wlkes-Barre Penguins head coach Todd Richards on Alex Goligoski's recall to the parent Penguins (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
 

"He’s a better skater skating backwards, which as a defenseman, is a great quality to have. He’s got good lateral movement, sees the ice well. He’s got those offensive instincts that you want defensemen to have in today’s NHL. One area (for improvement) is he can get a little bit stronger. I think his injured shoulder over the summer set him back."

- Todd Richards on Alex Goligoski (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)

 
"He (Richards) told me I wasn’t going to Norfolk and just kind of stared at me. I was like, ‘Uh oh, what did I do?’ But then he said right after that I was going to Pittsburgh. It’s a great feeling. It’s a great opportunity for me. I'm excited. I knew coming in I was going to start in the AHL and maybe be here a year, two years. You never know. You just gotta be ready if you get the call up, to go play and show what you can do. I hoped for it and thankfully I’m going up there.  It’s been a lot of fun, going to the all-star game and this should be another fun time. It’s great.  (The Penguins) are playing good hockey right now. They’ve taken a couple on the chin, but I love the way they play. They get up and down the ice. They have the same systems as we have here. That should make the adjustment a little easier.  I wouldn’t say I’m nervous. I’m more excited just to get there and see all the guys again and get out there for practice and hopefully get a chance to get in a game. I’m excited more than anything."

- Alex Goligoski on his recall to the Pittsburgh Penguins (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
 

"It's not a numbers game for me. For us it's about winning hockey games and getting this team back into the playoffs. I think we're in the race, and that's the main focus."

-Thomas Vanek on his under-performance compared to last year (AP).
 

"That would be a dream for a lot of National Hockey League Teams"

- former NHL General Manager Neil Smith commenting on Kellen Briggs' gaudy ECHL statistics for the Idaho Steelheads during the ECHL All Star Game on the NHL Network.
 

"(Kris Beech) could get into Canada, I bet. That would never be a problem. You play hockey, you can get into Canada. America's got no respect for the NHL. We got all these people from Mexico and all these guys coming in, and Beech can't get in. I don't get it; he speaks English. What's Obama's and Hillary's stance on this? I'll be ready to vote once I hear.

" - Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman and obviously future politician Ryan Whitney on the immigration issues that kept Kris Beech from playing Penguins last week (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)

 
"He's undergone chemotherapy before. He's survived cancer.  As soon as the brace comes off, we'll know. But he'll have to wear a brace when he plays for the rest of his life."

- Elmira Jackals head coach Steve Martinson on Dan Boeser overcoming a knee injury following a team bus crash.  (Elmira Star-Gazette)


"This has been in the cards. I love playing hockey. I'd love to play back in the NHL. It's a sit and wait game right now.''

- Duvie Westcot on being placed on re-entry waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets (Syracuse Post-Standard)


"My philosophy and what I'm preaching is that hard work always pays off.  Maybe not tonight it didn't pay off. It might not even payoff tomorrow. But at some point the hard work will pay off. We just have to continue to work hard and stick together. And at some point it's going to turn. I don't know when but at some point it's going to turn. The only way we can get out of this is to win. They say you work for your breaks. Well we're working. How much more can I ask them to do? Every guy on every shift on this night went out and battled their butts off. The guys are disappointed but what are you gong to do? Nobody likes to lose. Especially on night when you show up, and you are prepared, and you work hard, and you still don't get it done. Really, what more can I ask? (On the tying goal) we had all the right guys on the ice. You have (Erik) Rasmussen on the ice. You have (Grant) Marshall on the ice. You have (Ryan) Murphy on the ice. All the right guys were on the ice. And we still didn't manage to get it done. It's just the way it goes. And that's been the luck of our year. That's what happens when you are on the wrong side of losing."  

 - Lowell Devils head coach Kurt Kleinendorst after an overtime Devils loss to extend their winless streak to nine.

Alyssa Milano is coming to Minnesota!  Well, at least her fashion line TOUCH is. The Minnesota Wild's Hockey Lodge will begin carrying Milano's fashion forward TOUCH line for women in March.  According the company "The TOUCH brand empowers the fiercely loyal female sports fans to look and feel their best.  Whether cheering on their favorite teams or simply living life, TOUCH provides a platform for female sports fans to rally around.  The missy contemporary-targeted collection will consist of outerwear, sets, fashion tops, denim and dresses, as well as other key items.  The apparel will be designed using high quality fabrics and body-contouring silhouettes."  To launch the NHL partnership Milano will be appearing at events at the this year's NHL All Star Weekend in Atlanta.  Milano launched TOUCH out of her love of baseball and her desire to wear fashionable team merchandise.  She has successfully sold MLB-licensed merchandise since last year and should expect similar success with the NHL line.  In addition to the NHL license, TOUCH has also been licensed with the NFL, NBA and Collegiate properties. Check outsome of the MLB items in the TOUCH line.