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.

Alex Goligoski was named to the AHL Planet USA All Star Team as a replacement for Jeff Taffe who remains on recall to the Pittsburgh Penguins.  In 38 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season, Goligoski has recorded six goals and eight assists for 14 points along with a plus-4 rating.
 
Hobey Baker winner Junior Lessard was traded from the Dallas Stars to the Tampa Bay Lightning, a good move in order to give Lessard a shot at sticking in the NHL. With the Stars he had been relegated primarily to their AHL affiliate in Iowa without much opportunity for recall or ice time.  In 36 games with Iowa this season, Lessard had ten goals and 11 assists for 21 points and 15 penalty minutes. He also had appeared in two games with the NHL’s Dallas Stars, going scoreless with two penalty minutes.  He will play with the Bolts' AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals.
 
Kyle Okposo scored two assists against the Norfolk Admirals on Wednesday after being reunited with roomate and linemate, center Jeff Tambellini, returned from recall to the New York Islanders.  He had six points through his first eight professional games.  He went up against former Gopher star Ryan Potulny on Sunday. Potulny missed in a shootout attempt and the Sound Tigers took the extra point in the 2-1 win.  Ryan said that he enjoyed skating against his former teammated Andy Sertich professionally for the first time, and that the defenseman belongs in the AHL rather than the ECHL where he has been playing the past year and a half before getting this opportunity in Bridgeport.
 
Ryan Potulny is an Alternate Captain for the Philadelphia Phantoms. The Phantoms nominated center Ryan Potulny for AHL Player of the Week consideration. Potulny had points in three of Philadelphia’s four games this week, propelling him into a tie for second place on the team’s scoring list. On Wednesday, he had an assist in a 5-3 loss to Syracuse. He had another assist on Friday night in a 2-1 shootout loss to Bridgeport, and followed that up with a three-point night (2 goals, 1 assist) in the team’s 5-3 loss at Binghamton.
 
Thomas Vanek has been struggling in Buffalo this season.  He recently went four games without a point, and has been held scoreless in nine of his last thirteen games.  He was recently benched for the entire third period of a game, and the following game played just under 18 minutes, but only recorded an assist in the Sabres' loss to Phoenix on Monday.  Buffalo is 6-1-0 when Vanek scores but he only has 28 points this season and he has only 7 multi-point games.  
 
Kellen Briggs was tops in the Rapid Fire Skills Competition of the ECHL All Star Game for the National Conference, stopping 7 shots.  He was also stellar in the Breakaway relay, stopping six shots against the American Conference shooters. Minnesota Wild prospective netminder Anton Khudobin stopped 8 shots in the Rapid Fire Competition and 6 saves in the Breakaway relay for the American Conference.  Former Michigan State standout Ash Goldie became the first ECHL All Star to hit four targets in four shots in the Accuracy competition.  The National Conference won the Skills Competition 26-25.  Briggs was returned to the Steelheads in time to compete in this week's ECHL All Star Game after a professional tryout with the AHL Rockford IceHogs.
 
Josh Langfeld has been recalled to the Nashville Predators from the Milwaukee Admirals.
 
Shjon Podein is the honorary captain of the Minneapolis Police Department's team for the IDS Stair Climb for Cystic Fibrosis charity event.
 
Troy Riddle has been reassigned from the Houston Aeros back to the Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL.  Riddle had four goals and four assists in 26 games with the Aeros.
 
Rookie netminder John Curry has recorded wins in each of his last seven appearances with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and now has a 1.82 goals against average on the season with an 8-3-1 record, one shutout and a .923 save percentage.  Curry has played 724 minutes this season, meaning he sits just outside the threshold of 780 minutes to make him eligible for league leader status.  He would rank first in the AHL in goals against average if he qualified.  
 
Casey Borer has been returned to the AHL Albany River Rats after a short stint in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes and Barry Tallackson was returned to the Lowell Devils from New Jersey after a cup of coffee with the big club.
 
The injury to Sidney Crosby will mean that former Gopher center Jeff Taffe's ice time with the Pittsburgh Penguins will increase.  Taffe was amongst the top ten in the AHL in scoring prior to his recall to the big club just before Christmas.  He has two goals and an assist with the Penguins in 15 games since the recall.  Taffe was named to the AHL PlanetUSA All Star Team after recording 21 points in 27 games with the Wilkes-Barrre/Scranton Penguins.
 
A couple of familiar names can be seen in this You Tube ad for the Belfast Giants , watch for footage of George Awada of the Giants and Luke Stauffacher of the Manchester Phoenix.  George Awada became the all-time franchise leader in goals for Belfast after tallying a hat-trick in the Giants' 6-2 victory over the Nottingham Panthers on Sunday night, increasing the Giants' franchise record-winning streak to 13 games.  His third goal of the night, an unassisted tally, was his 101st goal as a Giant.
 
Luke Curtin of the Fresno Falcons was activated off injured reserve this week.  
 
Wyatt Smith has a goal and three assists in eight games since being reassigned to the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL from the Colorado Avalanche.  
 
The Swedish Elite League scoring leader board is dotted with former Minnesota Wild prospects.  Second in league scoring is Mattias Weinhandl with 22 goals and 19 assists in 38 games, Rikard Wallin is ranked 46th in league scoring with 22 points and Cory Larose is 48th with 21 points.
 
Former Gopher Nick Angell plays for Brynäs IF in the Swedish Elite League and has 17 points in 26 games and has the highest plus/minus rating on the team with a +6.  His teammates are former NHLers Andreas Dackell and Pavel Brendl as well as former North Star Tommy Sjödin.
 
As if he hasn't been through enough, this Sunday Tyler Hirsch and the Johnstown Chiefs will be wearing Pink jerseys during the game to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness. Proceeds from ticket sales and a live auction of jerseys following the game will go to Breast Cancer Research.  But the Chiefs make it up to the players on February 27th, Ladies Night,  when all Ladies will receive a special discount on Box Office Pricing to the Chiefs game and, ladies will have an opportunity to bid on dinner with some of the eligible 'bachelor' players.  Hirsch has 14 points in 14 games and a -5 rating with the Chiefs since signing with the ECHL club before Christmas.
 

Quick Quotes:
 
"It's a tough situation for any kid to walk in blind. I've gotten to know him over the past few years a bit. He's a really good kid. I had no problems taking him in, just getting him out of the hotel, giving him a feeling of being part of the team. You have to play well as a team to get anywhere. You can't be one of those selfish guys thinking you can get there by yourself. If the team plays well, the individual will get success. He's going to be a big player on our team, so the sooner we can get him on board, the better it's going to be for all of us."

- AHL All Star and veteran Jeff Tambellini on Kyle Okposo whom he has taken into his beachfront rental as a roomate
 
"No big deal to me. I'm trying to come out and play my game every night. I feel pretty good."  

- Kyle Okposo on playing a lot of minutes for the Sound Tigers (CT Post)

 
Quick Facts Feature: Kellen Briggs gets AHL shot
 

Quick Facts Feature: Kellen Briggs gets AHL shot

Kyle Okposo scored two assists and played almost minutes on 21 shifts and finished with a -1 rating skating the top line for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in his professional debut on Friday, a 2-3 loss to the Binghamton Senators.  Okposo scored his first goal as a pro in his second game, this time a win against the Springfield Falcons.  He also tacked on another two assists, finishing a +2 for the game and second on the team in time on ice with over 23 minutes.  Okposo was named the first star of the game and was also named the AHL's second star of the night.  Okposo's third game in three days on Sunday did not finish as well, he was pointless and a -1 with the Sound Tigers and his time on ice slipped to just under 19 minutes as Bridgeport struggled to get the puck past former Badger Jason Elliot.
 
Andy Sertich was moved up to forward for the Sound Tigers after Kyle Okposo's new roomate and former linemate Jeff Tambellini was recalled to the New York Islanders on Saturday (Okposo was reportedly left with a house to himself but no car).  Sertich started Saturday's game at forward but after an injury and an ejection was slotted back to the blueline again.  
 
Brock Hooton has scored a point in 12 of his last 14 games (8g-13a) for the Reading Royals.

The Minnesota Wild's ECHL affiliate Texas Wildcatters now own the ECHL record for most number of consecutive regulation wins without a loss, 22, topping the previous record set by the Richmond Renegades in 1995.  The Wildcatters' streak began on November 18th.
 
Head Coach Don Lucia could be seen on the bench saying something to the effect of "Okay pull him" immediately after goaltender Jeff Frazee almost cost the Golden Gophers a one-goal lead by skating lazily out of his crease before time had elapsed and whiffing on a half-hearted kick save.  Luckily the goal did not count despite time remaining on the clock because the play was offside.  It was the second shot from beyond the redline that had beaten Frazee Saturday evening and Lucia had obviously seen enough.  In virtually every game since the first of the season Frazee has shown a lack of concentration in allowing a similarly soft goal.  Freshman Alex Kangas started the second period and completed the game for Minnesota.
 
AHL Rookie of the Month goaltender John Curry has won six straight decisions and boasts a 1.33 GAA over that span
 
Hershey Bears winger Grant Potulny leads the team with 15 goals (15-9-24)
 
Jake Moreland is 5-0-0 with a shutout and a 1.77 goals-against average in his last five starts for the Fresno Falcons.

Quick Speculation:
 
Look for Kyle Okposo's stay in Bridgeport to be brief. Quick Facts would not be surprised to see the Islanders' top prospect up with the big club by the time they visit the former Gopher's hometown of St. Paul to play the Wild on February 6th, the Islanders could also give Okposo time with the big club during the AHL All Star break. Okposo will almost certainly be played less than 9 games this season with the Islanders, however, as that would activate a full year of his contract.  But since recalling the forward means just putting him on the Port Jefferson ferry across the Long Island Sound, it is likely that he will see time to test him in the Islanders lineup soon, especially if his first two games as a pro are any indication.
 
Quick Quotes:
 
"I never thought about [the controversy] really. I went out there and played my game. I tried to limit my mistakes. The guys were noticeably stronger.  I got thrown around a few times. Other than that, not really."

- Kyle Okposo on playing in his first professional game and the difference between the professional game and the college one (CT Post & Newsday)

 
"His conditioning is fine. He's poised and composed.  To make the jump as he's done is very impressive."

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


"He looked like a typical star player in this league. He’s a strong kid, about 6-1 with really good hands. He has the confidence to make the tough play, the play that most guys won’t try. You’ll probably end up seeing him on YouTube.com  in a highlight a few times because he’s got some great hands. He plays hard and he plays with a little bit of an edge. He should be a good guy to play with down the stretch here."

- Jeff Tambellini, his Left Wing and roomate, on Kyle Okposo (Newsday)


"It looks like he's been playing pro for many years. He's dominating the ice."

- Frans Nielsen, his center, on Kyle Okposo (Newsday)

  

Quick Take:

Quick Facts is sick and tired of columnists and pundits talking all about what a terrible hockey market Nashville is and how hockey doesn't belong in Southern markets and that the Predators should be relocated to Las Vegas or worse, Hamilton, Ontario.  If you look at recent attendance figures there are teams with worse attendance figures than Nashville.  One market that stands out is the Minnesota Wild's expansion cousin the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Despite Ken Hitchcock turning that team into an extremely competitive team they have lower average home attendance than Nashville.  Everyone always talks about how the southern markets are ill-suited to host NHL hockey teams but Columbus is the hotbed of football where The Ohio State University reigns supreme, and hockey has never taken a foothold there either.  Why has no one taken the Ohio market to task and suggested moving their franchise to Houston?  Currently the team with the lowest average home attendance in the league is the New York Islanders, but I don't hear anyone talking about moving that team or contracting them. In fact two of the Original Six franchises, Chicago and Boston, have averaged attendance very similar to or even below that of Nashville's for the past several seasons and are amongst the bottom again this season.  Heck, our nation's capitol has been a terrible supporter for the NHL, despite the best efforts of a generous owner and a star-studded team.  Those Canadian and major media blowhards need to wake up and smell the statistics and stop letting their prejudices turn them into hypocrites.  The Nashville market is currently as deserving as Chicago or Boston or when it comes to the way the fans are coming out to watch their team.  Just look at the home attendance figures.
 
 

Andy Sertich, who made the ECHL All Star Team as a rookie with the Utah Grizzlies last year, was signed to a PTO with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL club last week.  But getting there wasn't as easy. When Sertich got the word he was headed to the Sound Tigers he was in Alaska.  He left Anchorage after midnight for Seattle connected in New York City and made his way to Syracuse. From there he drove an hour to Binghamton to join the team.  Sertich plays defense as a professional, despite playing collegiately at Minnesota primarily as a checking forward.

Mendota's Charlie Kronschnabel registered his first pro multi-point game with two goals on Wednesday for the Reading Royals.

On Wednesday, Andrew Murray scored his first NHL goal in the Blue Jackets’ 2-1 loss to Anaheim

Matt Cullen and David Tanabe have both been placed on injured reserve for the Carolina Hurricanes joining fellow Minnesotan Bret Hedican on the IR.  Cullen remains out of the lineup suffering from post-concussion symptoms after breaking his nose from a hit by Colton Orr.  Tanabe also has a concussion and Hedican has a knee injury.  Tanabe has begun skating again after reportedly going ten days without being able to see straight as part of his post concussive symptoms, so much so that his parents were providing chauffeur service for the former Badger.

Interestingly replacing Hedican and Tanabe in the Canes' lineup was Brooklyn Center's Casey Borer.  The Former St. Cloud State Husky playing in his second career game, picked up his first NHL goal and assist for the Carolina Hurricanes in a victory against the Atlanta Thrashers.  

Former Wild prospect and USA Hockey star Patrick O'Sullivan has 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 42 games with the LA Kings this season.  The Wild gave up O'Sullivan to acquire Pavol Demitra from the Kings in a trade.

Todd Richards is hoping to lead his Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins to a franchice record 10th consecutive win this weekend.  Rookie goaltender John Curry is 5-0-0 with a 1.40 GAA during the winning streak.

Jake Moreland has a 1.96 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage in his last three games for the Fresno Falcons.

Esko's Josh Johnson is the ECHL Goalie of the Month for December. The 6-foot and 170-pound Johnson was 6-0-0 with a shutout, a 1.48 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage for the South Carolina Stingrays.  The former UMD Bulldog is also the reigning Goalie of the Week in the ECHL.

While the Colorado Avalanche have seen their attendance trail off the past two years, the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League are just three sellouts away from setting the minor-pro hockey record for consecutive sellouts (they currently have 142 consecutive full houses).  The Eagles are expected to break the record on Saturday versus Rocky Mountain.  Playing for the Eagles are several WCHA players and Minnesotans Chris Hartsburg, and Dave Iannazzo.

John Curry was named AHL Rookie of the Month for December.   Curry was 4-1-1 with a 1.48 goals-against average, a .939 save percentage and one shutout in six starts for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last month.

It looks like former Minnesota Wild veteran Jim Dowd's NHL career may be coming to an end.  Dowd, signed late this fall as a free agent by the Philadelphia Flyers, cleared waivers again.  The Flyers have 30 days before he must be put on waivers again.  Dowd will not accept an assignment to the minors and will instead retired from the NHL.  Dowd, who was an original member of the Wild's expansion team, has 68 goals and 163 assists in 685 games in his 17 years in the NHL, oh, and a Stanley Cup with his home state New Jersey Devils.

Former Gopher Cory Laylin of the Bloomington Praire Thunder is second among defensemen in the International Hockey League (formerly the United Hockey League)  in scoring with 23 points, nine behind Kalamazoo ’s Florian Iberer. Laylin also is tied for the lead in the league in power play assists with 11 with Iberer.  
 
When Kyle Okposo reports to his new team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, he will play three games in three days.  He will play in Binghamton against the Senators in their War Memorial arena on Friday, and then return home to the Harbor Yard arena to play against the Springfield Falcons on Saturday, and then will play against the Binghamton Senators again on Sunday.  On Sunday the Sound Tigers will salute the Armed Forces and wear special Camouflage jerseys.  Okposo is most likely to be skating with Islanders top prospects Jeff Tambellini & Frans Neilsen but he could also be matched with Second line skaters Steve Regier and former Boston star Ben Walter.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL in the fourth round but by the Braves of the MLB in the second round is due join a practice with the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team soon.  Glavine was scheduled to take part recently but it was postponed after Glavine became ill.  Glavine helps coach his sons' youth hockey teams (AJC)

Brothers Grant & Ryan Potulny were both nominated for AHL Players of the Week but the honor went to Jaroslav Halak.  The elder Potulny brother Grant, set a new Hershey Bears record last Monday, scoring a goal just eight seconds after the puck dropped, the fastest goal scored in the 70-year history of the franchise.  The Bears won the game 2-1.  

As of early January, Marty Sertich had three goals in his last two games (3-0-3) after totaling three in his previous 19 outings for the Iowa Stars.  Toby Petersen had a point in four of his last five games (3-2-5) and was pacing the Stars in goals (16), assists (19), and points (35) through 36 games.

Josh Langfeld is on a bit of a hot streak for the Milwaukee Admirals having scored a goal in three straight games played (3-1-4).

Brock Hooton is on a nine-game point streak (5g-8a) for the Reading Royals and Bobby Goepfert is 3-0-0 with a 2.23 goals-against average in his last three games with the Augusta Lynx.  Both former Huskies are playing in the ECHL.

Entering Monday's game against South Carolina, Former North Dakota player and head coach John Marks had coached a league record 951 regular season games and is second with 473 regular season wins, seven shy of the record held by John Brophy in the ECHL. Brophy was 480-323-79 in 13 seasons and led Hampton Roads to a record three ECHL championships in 1991, 1992 and 1998.  Marks is in his first season with the Pensacola Ice Pilots and his record 14th in the league having coached Charlotte from 1993-98 and Greenville from 1998-2006. He has led his teams to the postseason a league record 10 times and was the first coach to lead two different teams to the ECHL title, coaching Charlotte to the Riley Cup in 1996 and Greenville to the Kelly Cup in 2002.

 


 

 

Quick Speculation:

 

The rumor mill has the Atlanta Thrashers trading Marian Hossa to the Minnesota Wild for Pavol Demitra and picks.  While the Wild would love to get their hands on Hossa, I doubt they would give up more picks and Demitra when they already gave up a huge prospect in O'Sullivan to get Demitra in the first place.  The ideal situation is to get a centerman to play with Gaborik and Demitra. Hossa is the countryman of the Slovak duo and the idea is to put the three together on the same team so I wouldn't expect Demitra to be part of the package in acquiring Hossa.  If the Wild are dealing players versus picks for Hossa, I would expect Pouliot to be a primary component of the package, along with one of the surplus defenseman like Skoula or Foster or perhaps Boogaard or Foy.  But it is unclear whether the Wild have room for Hossa under the cap as well as retaining players like Demitra, Rolston and other restricted free agents.  

 

Quick Quotes:
 

It's really a nice thing," Niskanen said before the game. "It's just nice to have so many people who are excited to be coming down. It's been a bit of a roller coaster for myself, but I've been enjoying it," Niskanen said. "It was fun. It's good to come back. I like this building."

 - Matt Niskanen on playing for the Dallas Stars at X-cel Energy Center. (Dallas Morning News)


"“When it comes to hockey, Minnesota is the best. Ever since the fans there lost the North Stars there has been this realization that NHL hockey is very important. Every since the Minnesota Wild arrived, people have supported the NHL 100-percent, and they watch NHL hockey every chance they get. They have thrown around the ideas of New York and Boston, but Minnesota is the way to go. I don’t know what the stadium is going to look like, but the area is huge. They are really building it up. It is just a matter of time before there is an NHL outdoor game in Minnesota."

- Jeff Taffe, who played for the Penguins in the Winter Classic, on an outdoor game being played in the new Gopher stadium. (Rob Rossi - Pittsburgh Tribune Review)


""[Stuart] made us look good tonight," Waddell said. "He played a heck of a hockey game. He made a great play not only his goal, but his next goal along the boards to get the puck out and make the pass to Perrin. I think the whole 60 minutes he was one of our best players, and that line was by far our best line."

- Thrashers coach Don Waddell on Colin Stuart's play on the Atlanta Thrashers' top line. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

"I thought Andy played well.  He had some poise with the puck, especially against the pressure of their forecheck. ... It's a tough place to play your first, a small barn like that." Sound Tigers Head Coach Jack Capuano on Andy Sertich's first AHL game in Binghamton (Connecticut Post).

"Was it obnoxious? I didn't really know what to do. Coach just said, try to shoot it on net. That's what I did. It happened to hit the post and go in."

- Casey Borer when asked about hugging his teammates on the bench after scoring his first NHL goal for the Carolina Hurricanes. (News Observer)

 "I was very impressed. I thought he played really well. He read our system really well. ... You wouldn't have guessed that this was his first game. You would have thought he had a couple under his belt."

- Ray Whitney on Casey Borer's first game with the Hurricanes (News Observer)

 
 

Matt Cullen suffered a broken nose on Wednesday during a game against his former NY Rangers Team. Cullen was hit in the face with a by the forearm of tough guy Colton Orr in the first period of the game, a loss for the Hurricanes. Cullen appeared to be momentarily unconscious when he fell to the ice face first after the hit.  He was listed as day to day but is being examined for a probable concussion but only missed two games for the Canes. Orr was assessed an interference minor and a game misconduct for the hit.  A former St. Cloud State Husky, Cullen has eight goals and 29 assists in 38 games for the Hurricanes this season.
 
Colin Stuart scored his first NHL goal for the Atlanta Thrashers on New Year's Eve against the Boston Bruins and his brother Mark Stuart. Mark Stuart also scored a goal in the game, a victory for the Bruins. Mark Stuart's goal was the game-winner.   It was the second game in which the brothers have played against each other in the NHL, the first was also against his brother and the Bruins in which Colin Stuart notched an assist in his NHL debut on a Pascal Dupuis goal.  The two brothers played together for two years at Colorado College but this is the first time they have played in the same game professionally.   The Stuarts' parents were not able to watch the brothers play the two games (one in Atlanta one in Boston) against each other as they were visiting brother Mike in who is playing in Austria but their sister, Cristin, the captain of the Boston College women's hockey team, was there to watch both her brothers score. The goals by the brothers marked the second time this year brothers have scored in the same game in the NHL.  Interestingly the other game also featured the Atlanta Thrashers and involved the Hossa brothers Marian and Marcel.
 
Jeff Taffe, who ranked amongst the top AHL scorers most of the season and has lead his Wilkes Barre Penguins team in scoring all year was finally recalled just prior to Christmas and scored his first goal with the Pens in his fourth game and also played for the Penguins in the outdoor Winter Classic game in Buffalo.  Taffe was signed as free agent by the Penguins in July.  
 
Aaron Slattengren has been signed by the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.  Slattengren was the leading scorer of the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL with 21 goals and 12 assists in 28 games.
 
After playing three games on a tryout contract with HPK Hämeenlinna without scoring a point Tyler Hirsch returned to the US and signed to play with the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL.  The ECHL is a necessary stepping stone for Hirsch to establish that he can be a reliable player.  He is off to a good start in Johnstown, averaging more than a point a game, and will likely earn a promotion to the AHL level at some point this season.  Hirsch reportedly has interest at the NHL level from both Colorado and Boston but some patterns of stability at the various levels of the minor leagues will need to be established before anyone will be willing to make that leap of faith. Because while there has never been any doubt in Hirsch's talent, the off-ice issues he has encountered will hound him until he can allay those with an established pattern of stabilty.  He has begun that in Johnstown and Ian Herbers appears to have faith in Hirsch's ability to overcome any issues.  Hirsch currently has 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 games with the Chiefs with a -3 rating and 6 PIMs.
 
Gino Guyer was traded from the Alaska Aces to the Phoenix Roadrunners of the ECHL.  Guyer missed most of last season after suffering a knee injury requiring surgery.  Guyer already has a goal and assist in four games with Phoenix almost equalling his goal and two assist output in nine game tally in Alaska.
 
Guyer was the guest of Keith Ballard and his fiancee Jamie Yanda for Christmas in Arizona. Ballard and Yanda became engaged last summer after four years of dating and the two have planned a Mexico destination wedding for April this year.
 
Trevor Smith, who was a Sophomore with the University of New Hampshire last year, was signed by the New York Islanders at the end of last season and is now playing with Andy Sertich with the ECHL Utah Grizzlies, New York's AA affiliate, though he was just recalled to Bridgeport just prior to the holidays.
 
Jake Taylor, healthy for the first time as a pro, has two goals and three assists for the Hartford Wolf Pack and a +5 rating with 71 PIMs.
 
Grant Potulny leads the Hershey Bears in scoring with 12 goals and 9 assists in 29 games. Joe Motzko is third in team scoring with 11 goals and 8 assists in 22 games. Motzko has been splitting time between the Bears and Washington Capitals where he also has 2 goals and 2 assists in 8 games with the parent NHL club. Ben Clymer has also added to the success of the Bears with 14 points in 25 games. The Bears' head coach Bruce Boudreau is now the head coach of the Capitals with Hershey's assistant Bob Woods now the head coach of the Bears.
 
It was quite the birthday present for his father when Wilkes Barre Penguins rookie goaltender John Curry earned his first career shutout on Boxing Day, a 4-0 victory against the Syracuse Crunch, a fight-filled affair.  Dennis Bonvie broke the all time penalty minute record for career penalty minutes across all minor leagues in during the game, 4,381 in the AHL alone, that is six more PIMs than the previous mark set by Kevin Evans during his fifteen years of combined play in the ECHL, CHL, IHL and WPHL.  
 
Though he hasn't gotten a chance in net for the Wild, Nolan Schaefer, the number three netminder for Minnesota has gone 10-1-0 with a 1.52 goals-against average, a .944 save percentage and three shutouts in his last 12 starts. He begins the week second in the AHL in GAA (2.01) and first in save percentage (.928).  
 

Quick Quotes:
 
"We are happy to have Tyler in Johnstown. Tyler is a gifted offensive player, who can play all three forward positions. He sees the ice well, can make plays as well score. Right now Tyler is working on his game conditioning. He has not played much since the start of the season. Every game we see improvement. He needs to keep working hard on and off the ice so he can make the jump to the AHL. Tyler is averaging just over a point a game right now. We expect more from him offensively as well as defensively as his conditioning improves." Johnsontown Chiefs
- Head Coach Ian Herbers on Tyler Hirsch (Quick Facts Exclusive)

“He’s such a good kid and a great teammate. We all think the world of Nisky and he has been great for the team."
- Marty Turco on Matt Niskanen (DallasStars.com)
 
"I'll definitely hang on to this [puck. The guys played really hard in front of me. I didn't see a lot of quality shots, that made my job pretty easy."
- John Curry on his first career professional shutout (wbspenguins.com)


"He's been well-coached, he's a smart player and he skates [well],"
-Thrashers general manager and interim head coach Don Waddell on Colin Stuart (Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Getting that first NHL goal is exciting. It would have made it even more exciting if we would have come out of there with a win,"
-Colin Stuart on scoring his first NHL goal (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)


"It was nice. He one-upped me earlier so I had to do it."
- Mark Stuart on scoring the game-winning goal after his brother had scored his first NHL goal in the same game (Boston Globe).