The Shjon Podein Children's Foundation is hosting their annual "Boys are Back in Town" Celebrity Party and Golf Tournament in Rochester this weekend. Plans are already in the works for Podein to host another fundraiser this fall, an outdoor concert at Bullwinkle's Saloon and The Corner Bar. GB Leighton has already committed to performing and celebrities, both local and international, are clamoring to be a part of the event. Anyone interested in helping to sponsor the event can contact Holly Renn at (507) 990-1266, but please wait until this weekend's festivities are over.

Rochester native John Pohl, who just re-signed with the St. Louis Blues, will be attending the Podein event with Women's Gopher hockey star Krissy Wendell and ESPN analyst Ray Ferarro will be going with his fiancee, Cammi Granato.

Contrary to what Quick Facts was told by Blackhawks management last month, former Gopher Joey Martin will be at Blackhawks Prospect camp beginning next week at Johnny's Ice House in Chicago.  He will be playing with Adam Berkhoel who was responsible for ending Martin's tenure with the Gophers after Berkhoel's Denver Pioneers, on the strength of his goaltending, ousted the Gophers from the NCAA playoffs.

The Minnesota Wild's Willie Mitchell  will host the first-ever Willie Mitchell Classic golf tournament on July 24th at Seven Hills Country Club in Port McNeill, British Columbia. The event will feature an 18 hole scramble golf tournament, silent and online auction and gala.   Willie's mother Nadija is handling all the donated items and the auction.  Wes Walz, Nick Schultz and Bill Muckalt have already commited to attend along with fellow NHLrs Rob Skrlac of the Devils and former Wild defenseman Jason Marshall.  Items up for live, silent and online auction include a Minnesota Wild trip package, World Cup of Hockey trip package, a day of salmon fishing with Mitchell, Markus NaslundGame Used Signed Stick , Jarome Iginla Signed Game Used Stick, Ed Jovanovski Signed Game Used Stick, Authentic Willie Mitchell Signed Jersey, Jean Sebastian Giguere Signed Game Used Goalie Stick, Keith Thachuk signed ‘04 All-Star Game Used Stick and a Ric k Nash Game Used Signed Stick. The 18-hole scramble is sold out but there are still tickets for the Gala Event.

Former Boston Bruins tough guy, and headlining contender in this fall's Hockey Gladiators event at Target Center, Lyndon Byers, played 7 games with the IHL Minnesota Moose in St. Paul in 1994.  Byers had one goal and 16 penalty minutes and those games were the last professionally for Byers, he ended his career as a Moose.

The Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues traded prospects with former Blues pick Shawn Belle heading to Dallas and Garden City, Minn native goalie Jason Bacashihua going to St. Louis. The goaltender went against the norm for Minnesota players by choosing to play with the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL rather than attend college.  Bacashihua played well with the Utah Grizzlies last season but due to an affiliation change is likely to be headed to the Hamilton Bulldogs next year.  The netminder had a 2.66 goals against-average and a .916 save percentage in 39 games with the Grizzlies.

Former North Star Moe Mantha has signed on as the head coach of the new WHA team in Detroit. Four teams are confirmed for the upstart league, Dallas; Detroit; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Quebec. Hamilton, Ontario, and Toronto are scheduled to play but haven't completed lease agreements yet. The Detoit team name will be announced on June 30. The WHA draft will take place July 10.

The Glens Falls UHL Hockey Team has a new name. The former Adirondak IceHawks were purchased by a group that includes Barry Melrose and Steve Levy of ESPN. Voting for the Name the Team Sweepstakes began on April 10th with over 3,000 names being submitted in the first round. On May 1st the list was narrowed down to six finalists, including favorite "Mulletteers". Hockey fans had one month to choose their favorite nickname with voting limited to one entry per person.  The grand prize winner, determined with a random draw of all participants from both phases of the contest, will receive a personalized tour of the ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn., personally escorted by Melrose and Levy.

The Worcester IceCats signed former UW Badger Don Granato, one of the famous Granato clan, to a contract extension as head coach.

"We feel Jason as the ability to be a No. 1 goaltender in the future. This is a solid acquisition for the St. Louis Blues." Blues GM Larry Pleau on the trade to acquire Jason Bacashihua from the Dallas Stars. (CP)

Coleraine native Ken Gernander has re-signed with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. Gernander recently completed his 10th season with the New York Rangers organization and his ninth as captain of the Rangers' top developmental team. The AHL named the 34-year-old forward the 2003-04 recipient of the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award (sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey), marking the second time Gernander earned the honor (winning in 1995-96 as well). The Wolf Pack's all-time franchise leader in games-played (533) is second overall on the club in points (334), goals (155) and assists (179). During the 2003-04 campaign he became the team leader in playoff games-played (72) and moved into second place in AHL playoff games-played with 117, three behind leader Fred Glover. He also moved into 11th place on the all-time regular season games-played list, 907, which makes him the leader among active players in that category.  Gern ander was given the opportunity to play in the NHL with the Rangers last season for the first time since the 1997 Eastern Conference Finals when he was knocked out of the line-up by his brother-in-law and former teammate Trent Klatt after Klatt's check gave him a concussion. He suited up for two games with the Rangers. This will likely be the last year playing for the gritty winger. He would like to remain in the Hartford area and move into a coaching capacity with the Rangers organization. (some info from AHL)

Colorado College Athletic Director Julie Soriero announced today that assistant hockey coach Norm Bazin will not return to his coaching duties this season in order to focus on his continued recovery and physical rehabilitation from injuries suffered in an automobile accident last November. The college will hire former Tiger defenseman Eric Rud on a one-year interim temporary basis to replace Bazin as he recovers. Bazin, the team’s recruiting coordinator, anticipates being released by doctors later in the year to return to a role in the athletics department. Rud, a Minnesota native graduated from CC in May 1997, has spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the United States Hockey League.  The Minnesota native graduated from CC in May 1997 after an illustrious playing career with the Tigers, whom he helped win league titles in each of his first three years and served as team captain for his last two (1995- 96 and 1996-97). Colorado College also reached the NCAA Frozen Four while Rud was voted Defensive Player of the Year in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association his junior and senior seasons. (Colorado College)

Twig, Minnesota's Steve Rodberg has re-signed with the Fort Wayne Komets of the UHL.  Rodberg, a former UMD Bulldog blueliner split time between the Komets and the now-defunct Columbus Stars last season. He was named to the UHL All Rookie Team.

Pat Conacher, a former teammate of Phoenix Coyotes' owner Wayne Gretzky, has been named head coach of the Utah Grizzlies, the new affiliate of the Coyotes. Conacher will be joined by former North Star and Grizzlies hero Gord Dineen. Dineen is the Grizzlies' franchise leader in games played at 440 and is a favorite of team co-owner David Elmore, who lobbied hard to get him on the coaching staff when the Grizzlies changed affiliates in April, dropping Dallas and pairing with the Coyotes for the next three years. Dineen, a 15-year NHL veteran, was team captain when the Denver Grizzlies won the IHL Turner Cup in 1994-95 and was captain for most of the next five seasons in Utah. Dineen was assistant coach for the AHL Louisville Panthers in 2000-01 and head coach at Macon and Richmond in the ECHL before becoming the Springfield assistant to McSorley last season. Conacher and Dineen may end up coaching players K eith Ballard, Erik Westrum and Jeff Taffe if the NHL's labor agreement isn't resolved. (Some info from Deseret News)

Taffe was held out of the Phoenix Coyotes lineup toward the end of the season so that he would not exceed the maximum number of games allowed before it would be necessary for him to clear waivers if sent to the AHL.  He came just under the mark at 79 games played so he can be reassigned to Salt Lake City without needing to clearing waivers.

The Toronto Sun reported that tickets sales for Hockey Gladiators set for Target Center in late August have cooled off in the last month, but that sales are around the 5,200 mark. However, event organizer Daryl Wolski told the paper that 50% of ticket sales take place in the final week before the event.

As reported in Quick Facts a few weeks ago, the Chicago Blackhawks decided not to sign former Gopher Joey Martin, their 6th round pick, 193rd overall, in the 2000 entry draft.

The transfer agreement between the IIHF and NHL has expired meaning that Federations representing the expected top two picks in this weekend's NHL entry draft, Ovechkin and Malkin could charge whatever fee they wish from the NHL teams wishing to sign the prospects. Under the previous agreement the standard fee paid to European teams was $100,000.

Phoenix Coyotes forward and former Gopher Erik Westrum will be married this weekend to fiancee Kelly Siedel.

Reports are that the LA Kings are speaking with the agent for Dan Welch, who is likely to sign a minor league deal with the club and return to the AHL Manchester Monarchs.

Blaine's Matt Hendricks and St. Paul's Matt Koalska were both drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 5th round of the 2000 NHL entry draft.  Both completed their college eligibility this season, Hendricks with the St. Cloud State Huskies and Koalska with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
 
Though Hendricks did sign an amateur tryout agreement with the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL farm club of the Predators, neither he nor Koalska have been signed to contracts and there remains a strong likelihood that neither will be signed.
 
Ray Shero, the Assistant General Manager of the Nashville Predators said on Friday that the Predators had not made a final determination on either player yet but that it was likely they would make a decision within the week. 
 
Of Koalska Shero said "Matt is a skilled centerman with good hands and a great collegiate player.  Whether he can play at the NHL level remains to be seen. Playing with Vanek was good for him."
 
"Hendricks has a good work ethic, is a good hard-working winger, what we thought he would be when we drafted him." Shero said of the former Husky.
 
Shero said that neither Hendricks nor Koalska have been invited to the Predators' rookie/prospect camp in early July, saying that both have attended in the past and neither are under contract so, Shero said, there is little need to bring them in. 
 
The Assistant GM said they had not ruled out trading the rights to either player during the draft, but that it was unlikely.  He said that because both players are older, Hendricks is 23, Koalska 24, they would have to determine what, financially, would best work for the orginization because players already playing in the AHL could be easier to sign.  The Preds are expected to take a hard-line conservative approach, similar to the Minnesota Wild, in signings involving veterans and prospects as well as free agents.
 
Regarding Koalska and Hendricks Shero said, "guys that age are usually more expensive, especially with signing bonuses, than some free agents that are available, players that have already been in the AHL for a couple of years.  We are always weighing the financial side with the hockey side." said Shero.  "You always sign the best possible players if you can balance the hockey side and financial part."
 
The impending work-stoppage in the NHL is affecting decisions regarding player signings, especially with collegiate players.  Nashville has already decided that they will not bring any of their European prospects to the NHL for next season, leaving them instead with their professional teams overseas.  Shero said that in the event of a work stoppage it is more beneficial to leave them there than to bring them over to play in the AHL.
 
It would not be surprising to see Nashville choose to waive their rights to Koalska and Hendricks, making them free agents with the ability and freedom to sign wherever they choose, should they recieve any offers.   Should that occur, the move is not uncommon (the Edmonton Oilers chose not to sign NCAA Championship goaltender Adam Hauser after he graduated), but will be much more commonplace this summer with the NHL labor woes on the horizon. 
 
A decision from Nashville regarding the two Minnesota players, Koalska and Hendricks, is imminent.  "Next week is the draft, we will see where we are by then" said Shero.

“When we acquired both David (Tanabe) and Mike (Comrie), we knew we were acquiring top quality players. We believe that both individuals possess a lot of skill and they are two very good young hockey players. We were very pleased to have acquired both individuals over the last year and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if teams had to reselect, both Comrie and Tanabe would be at the top of their respective lists.”  - Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Mike Barnett on the two former college players now in his system. (phoenixcoyotes.com)

“Anytime you have the chance to be selected in the Entry Draft, especially in the first round, it makes you very proud. Having the chance to be live at the draft and walk up on that podium was very exciting. It’s a great honor to be viewed as a first round pick because there are so many great players in this league. Five years ago, I was thrilled to be a part of the draft and that feeling hasn’t changed. “I wouldn’t change where I was selected, like I said, just to be picked is very gratifying. It’s always fun to look back and see how things could have transpired, but I am happy I had the chance of being selected by Carolina five years ago and I am excited about my future in Phoenix with the Coyotes.” - Bloomington Defenseman David Tanabe on being selected on the first round of the NHL Entry Draft, 16th overall, in the 1999 Entry Draft.  (phoenixcoyotes.com)

“I think we’re still talking with them (Chouinard and Hauser), but I think that’s a better question for (Kings assistant GM) Kevin Gilmore. We’re going to see how the draft goes . . . If you’re a goaltender and you’re a free agent we’re a good organization to come to because there’s a lot of opportunity. I’m not sure there’s a goaltender who we would draft and sign right away, but there’s always a lot of deals made at the draft that’s why I say that. There could be some type of deal made.”  - LA Kings GM Dave Taylor on the status of free agent goaltender Adam Hauser especially in light of the Kings signing former Wild goalie prospect Barry Brust. (Manchester Union Leader)

The team of Jeff Nielsen, Chris McAlpine, John Brill and Tom Newman won the Mariucci Classic Golf Tournament last Monday with a score of -14.

The University of Minnesota Gopher Hockey Alumni Golf Tournament will be held Sunday, August 8th at Legends Golf Club in Prior Lake, the course operated by Tradition Golf, the company owned by the Enebak family, and run by CEO and former Gopher Jake Enebak.  Up to 100 former Gopher hockey players are expected to play. For information on participating or sponsorships please call Mark Barr at the U of M Hockey office at (612) 624-6889.  All funds raised benefit Gopher Hockey Alumni.

Rochester's Colin Stuart, one of the Colorado College Tigers' famous Stuart brothers signed with the Atlanta Thrashers who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.  Colin joins his brother Mike who signed with the St. Louis Blues after completing his eligibility at CCC.

Shjon Podein's annual "Boys are Back in Town" Celebrity Party and Golf Tournament will be held next weekend in Rochester.  The 6-year-old event benefits Podein's Childrens Foundation. 

Podein will make a decision on where to play next season in August, he has received numerous offers from European teams after a successful season with the Lakers in Sweden last year.  Podein was an unrestricted free agent and went unsigned in the NHL last year.

2003 first round draft pick Ryan Suter has decided to return to the Wisconsin Badgers rather than sign with the Nashville Predators.  Reports out of Nashville have the 1999 expansion team lowballing the top-ranked defenseman when Suter is expecting the current rookie maximum, approximately $1.24 million, which has recently been standard for most top-ten first round picks. 

Former St. Cloud State standout and Minnetonka native Steve Martinson was named the new coach of the Rockford IceHogs.  Martinson chose not to exercise the option on his contract as head coach of the San Diego Gulls this spring.  In San Diego, Martinson won five West Coast Hockey League Taylor Cup Championships in six championship appearances and won four Founders Cups as the league's regular season champion.  Martinson played 49 NHL games, including some with the North Stars, and racked up 244 penalty minutes and still owns the AHL single-season major penalty record.

Marian Gaborik will be returning home to Slovakia in July to train for the World Cup.

Pittsburgh Penguins scout Chuck Grillo's highly regarded summer program in Brainerd, Minn., begins today and runs in week-long segments through Aug. 21.  It typically attracts 800-900 players, ranging from nine-year-olds to pros.  Grillo emphasizes off-ice work at his camps. There are 32 hockey-related activities, only 12 of which require players to be on skates. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

The Minnesota Wild announced that the club has been selected by the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Department of Sport Management and its sponsor, The Sports Business Daily, as the winner of the 2004 PRISM (Professionalism, Results and Innovation in Sport Management) Award in the Major League franchise category. (Wild.com)

Dynamo Moscow has signed several NHL players to contracts to play in the Russian Superleague next season in the event of an NHL lockout.

Steve Ludzik, who lead the Bill Davidson-owned Detroit Vipers of the IHL to a Turner Cup Championship in 1997 was named head coach of the Florida Panthers' AHL affiliate San Antonio Rampage.

Reebok International expects to complete its acquisition of The Hockey Co. Holdings Inc. next week in a deal that will give the footwear and apparel maker its first presence in hockey.  Reebok, which announced plans for the acquisition on April 8, said Thursday that it has acquired 92 percent of the shares of the Montreal-based maker and marketer of hockey apparel and equipment. (AP)

The NHL Players' Association and International Management Group are in the preliminary stages of planning an exhibition hockey game at the SkyDome on Dec. 31 in the event of an NHL lockout.  Tentative plans call for Canada's historic win over the Soviets in Game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series to be shown on the stadium's video screen before a squad of present-day Canadian NHLers face off against current Russian NHL stars.The dome's roof would be open for the contest, modeled after the popular outdoor NHL game held last season in Edmonton. The event would be held a decade after the last NHL lockout prompted Wayne Gretzky to headline a series of exhibition games in Western Europe.  There is talk of a Scandinavian tour or tour of Canadian cities. (Toronto Star)

Insurance rates for professional athletes have tripled in the past decade, said Greg Sutton of Toronto-based underwriter William J. Sutton & Co., a specialist in the sports industry.  A healthy NHL player in his mid-20s with no history of serious injuries now pays as much as $15,000 for each $1 million worth of coverage, Sutton said. (Toronto Star)

Look for the SHL and SEHL minor hockey leagues to announce a merger soon.

The ECHL approved rules changes for the 2004-05 season. The 10-minute misconduct instigator penalty was changed to two minutes for instigating and a five-minute major for fighting. Also, a minimum of 10 shooters can participate in a shootout. After the initial 10 shooters have gone, the team has the option of using a player who already shot or another player on the roster.  The league also changed the name of the conferences to National and American and realigned the division.(ECHL)

ESPN's top hockey color analyst Bill Clement will provide commentary on badminton for NBC during the Olympics.  Clement, a former NHL standout with the Flyers, was a champion badminton player as a youth in Canada (AP).

Blaine's Matt Hendricks and St. Paul's Matt Koalska were both drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 5th round of the 2000 NHL entry draft.  Both completed their college eligibility this season, Hendricks with the St. Cloud State Huskies and Koalska with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.
 
Though Hendricks did sign an amateur tryout agreement with the Milwaukee Admirals, the AHL farm club of the Predators, neither he nor Koalska have been signed to contracts and there remains a strong likelihood that neither will be signed.
 
Ray Shero, the Assistant General Manager of the Nashville Predators said on Friday that the Predators had not made a final determination on either player yet but that it was likely they would make a decision within the week. 
 
Of Koalska Shero said "Matt is a skilled centerman with good hands and a great collegiate player.  Whether he can play at the NHL level remains to be seen. Playing with Vanek was good for him."
 
"Hendricks has a good work ethic, is a good hard-working winger, what we thought he would be when we drafted him." Shero said of the former Husky.
 
Shero said that neither Hendricks nor Koalska have been invited to the Predators' rookie/prospect camp in early July, saying that both have attended in the past and neither are under contract so, Shero said, there is little need to bring them in. 
 
The Assistant GM said they had not ruled out trading the rights to either player during the draft, but that it was unlikely.  He said that because both players are older, Hendricks is 23, Koalska 24, they would have to determine what, financially, would best work for the orginization because players already playing in the AHL could be easier to sign.  The Preds are expected to take a hard-line conservative approach, similar to the Minnesota Wild, in signings involving veterans and prospects as well as free agents.
 
Regarding Koalska and Hendricks Shero said, "guys that age are usually more expensive, especially with signing bonuses, than some free agents that are available, players that have already been in the AHL for a couple of years.  We are always weighing the financial side with the hockey side." said Shero.  "You always sign the best possible players if you can balance the hockey side and financial part."
 
The impending work-stoppage in the NHL is affecting decisions regarding player signings, especially with collegiate players.  Nashville has already decided that they will not bring any of their European prospects to the NHL for next season, leaving them instead with their professional teams overseas.  Shero said that in the event of a work stoppage it is more beneficial to leave them there than to bring them over to play in the AHL.
 
It would not be surprising to see Nashville choose to waive their rights to Koalska and Hendricks, making them free agents with the ability and freedom to sign wherever they choose, should they recieve any offers.   Should that occur, the move is not uncommon (the Edmonton Oilers chose not to sign NCAA Championship goaltender Adam Hauser after he graduated), but will be much more commonplace this summer with the NHL labor woes on the horizon. 
 
A decision from Nashville regarding the two Minnesota players, Koalska and Hendricks, is imminent.  "Next week is the draft, we will see where we are by then" said Shero.

"We need to talk to his agent and talk to Wyatt.  He did a good job this season and the coaches seem to like him.  He's a good depth player even though his stats weren't that great with Milwaukee.  He was a leader as Assistant Captain for the Admirals.  Wyatt was a good signing for us.  We need to talk to him and see where he wants to be, whether he wants to return.  He may think he has a better opportunity elsewhere and you can't begrudge a player who thinks the grass is greener somewhere else." - Nashville Predators Assistant General Manager Ray Shero on Wyatt Smith and whether he would be re-signed by the organization for next season.

"The thing that I looked at when considering Rockford was the overall picture and that they have what you need to support an excellent hockey program.  It's an excellent town, there's good proximity to some AHL cities and I really liked the town when I visited. The team was third in attendance last season even though there wasn't a winning team on the ice. The only thing missing is a team that puts up some wins." Steve Martinson on Rockford where he was just named head coach of the UHL IceHogs.

''We just want Ryan to be treated like their other six (first-round) draft picks, and that hasn't been the case.  Just for Ryan's own self-esteem and the way others perceive him, we thought that was important. We're kind of disappointed he didn't sign, but we'll keep the doors open because it's his goal to be in the NHL.''  - 1980 Olympic Gold Medalist Bob Suter on his son Ryan's decision to return to play for the Wisconsin Badgers of the WCHA rather than sign with the Nashville Predators. (Nashville Tenneseean)

Jordan Leopold stated during an on-air interview with KFAN's PA & Dubay that he is still nursing an injured finger and sore knee, both suffered during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Keith Ballard might be wearing number 2-4 for the Phoenix Coyotes next season.  His number 13 is currently worn by Mike Rupp, who was traded to the Coyotes last season.  Derek Morris is changing from the number 2 he wore for the Coyotes last season.

The International Scouting Service has AJ Thelan ranked 15th in this year's draft. Drew Stafford is ranked 11th. Andrej Meszaros, who remains Quick Fact's prediction for the Minnesota Wild should he be available with the 12th pick, is ranked 4th by ISS.

Former Minnesota North Stars draft pick David Quinn has resigned his position as head coach of the US National Developmental Team in Michigan to join his alma mater, Boston University, as an assistant coach.

Mark Strobel, John Pohl, Brian Bonin, Bob Motzko, Mike Schwartz, Joe Doyle Steve Rohlik are coaches for the Model Hockey camp for high school players being held this week.

Much has been made of the three national championships Detroit's Bill Davidson now owns; the Stanley Cup, NBA Championship and WNBA Championship. However Davidson is no stranger to championships in hockey. His Detroit Vipers were perennial powerhouses in the International Hockey League after joining with the Minnesota Moose, Denver (now Utah) Grizzlies and Houston Aeros in 1994. In fact Davidson had the Pistons' logo redesigned to match the successful color scheme and logo of the Vipers. Sandy Smith and John Gruden both spent time with the Vipers, Gruden winning the Turner Cup with them in 1996-97.

The Spruce Meadows national show jumping tournament in Calgary saluted the Calgary Flames at the competition with two riders wearing Flames jerseys. Flames alumni and member of the 1989 Stanley Cup-winning team Joel Otto was there for the event. (Calgary Sun)

Look for Jordan Leopold's Calgary Flames to be honored at the annual Calgary Stampede that begins early July.

Leopold's teammate Craig Conroy is rumored to not be in Calgary's future plans. The Minnesota Wild will get a good chance to check out the gritty and sometimes high-scoring winger during the World Cup competition at Xcel Energy Center this fall when Conroy plays for Team USA..

Also on the market as unrestricted free agents this summer are former Wild defensemen Curtis Lechyshyn and Sean O'Donnell and former North Star Richard Matvichuk, as well as former UMD Bulldog Brett Hull.

The San Jose Sharks have laid off 16 members of staff. "This has happened in anticipation of potential events," Sharks CEO Greg Jamison said, an indirect reference to the lockout many are forecasting for Sept. 15 when the league's collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players Association expires. "But I can't say it's all based on that. A number of factors led to this." (Mercury News)

Eight years after they packed up and left the Saint Paul Civic Center to move into Winnipeg Arena the Manitoba Moose are moving again, this time into a brand spanking new arena. On 16 December 1993, the IHL granted approval for Kevin MacLean and Roger Sturgeon rights to an expansion franchise in the Twin Cities. When it looked like the Winnipeg Jets would relocate to the Twin Cities the Moose owners MacLean and Sturgeon jumped at the chance to move to the vacated Winnipeg arena. The franchise eventually changed hands to Mark Chipman, a Winnipeg local, and changed leagues to the AHL when the IHL folded. Next season they will begin play in the MTS Center in downtown Winnipeg. The building will open November 16th with the Moose playing 4 games at Winnipeg Arena before moving into the new digs. Already the franchise has doubled season ticket purchases to more than 4,000 and are targeting a capacity crowd of just over 8,000. The main money-maker for the Moose as it was in Minnesota, is not ticket sales, however, but merchandise sales. The Moose logo, designed by Richard Valentine of Valentine Design in Edina, remains one of the most popular in minor league sports. (some info from Winnipeg Sun)

The press has jumped on the possibility of the WHA beginning play next season but no one seems to have noticed another start-up professional league that claims to be starting next season. The Canadian-based Federal Hockey League has a target of 6 teams that will play a 60-game schedule. Only one owner is confirmed, the president of the league John Larsen. The league has set a motto that it wants to be the "number one choice" for players that don't make the NHL 'for whatever reason' says their website.

''To think the Nashville incident is the reason for his good play is nuts. He was fine in the middle of the season, too, and he started the previous year on fire when Daze went down [with a back injury].'' - Tyler Arnason's father, ex NHLer Chuck Arnason on his son's increased production toward the end of last season following a reported tussle with the Hawks' head coach. (Chicago Tribune)

"AJ Thelen has been a favorite among ISS scouts all season. This freshman defenseman has proven to scouts that he is the real deal and will be a highly sought after commodity come draft day. On power plays he is very dangerous, leads the rush, gains the zone, and has good lateral movement with or without the puck. Thelen is the quarterback, and has a quick hard shot that is dangerous and most often is on net. He has both the imposing size and skating ability scouts love. Thelen finished the season as the highest scoring defenseman in all of NCAA Division I Hockey. Anytime a 17-year-old freshman can have that much of an impact on a U.S. college team, you have to appreciate the accomplishment. He needs to work on becoming more physical on a consistent basis, however. NHL Potential: Top offensive defenseman. Thelen’s quiet playoff run with the Spartans may keep him out of the top ten." (International Scouting Service)

Dino Ciccarelli was again shut out in the voting for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Chosen for induction were Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey, Larry Murhpy and Cliff Fletcher. Fletcher was elected in the builders category. Murphy was traded to the North Stars during the 1988-89 season. He played in Minneosta until being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1990-91 season, ending up playing against his former teammates and beating them out for the Stanley Cup Championship that year.

The Minnesota Wild chose not to offer their draft pick Barry Brust a contract prior to the June 1 deadline this year, allowing him to become a free agent. Brust has now signed a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings. The contract  means that former Gopher Adam Hauser will have one more netminder to compete with if the Kings or Monarchs choose to resign him. Hauser played last season for the Kings'  ECHL and AHL affliates and had an outstanding year.

Former Wild forward Jeremy Stevenson underwent shoulder surgery. Stevenson is a Restricted Free Agent and GM David Poile is waiting for results of the surgery to determine whether to offer the gritty winger a qualifying offer.  (Tennesseean)

The University of Minnesota men’s and women’s hockey programs announced  that it has completed an agreement with Acceleration Minnesota for the on-campus use of its Acceleration Program. The patented skating treadmill is now installed in the strength training area at Mariucci Arena. Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams will train year-round, utilizing the skating treadmill and the Acceleration Program which is provided by the metro-based company Acceleration Minnesota (U of MN)

While the Dallas Stars will be placing some players in Houston with the Wild's Houston Aeros, they have also signed an agreement with the Montreal Canadiens to share their affiliation in Hamilton. The Stars will likely place younger developmental players with the Bulldogs in Canada and older, more veteran depth players in Houston with the Aeros.

Keith Ballard signed with the Phoenix Coyotes for the maximum allowed entry level contract in the NHL. He also received a signing bonus that is greater than his annual salary.

RDS.ca, citing a source, claimed that the NHLPA offered to reduce salaries by 10%, set a luxury tax at $45-million and a rookie salary cap at $850,000 including all bonuses. According to the reported proposal, free agency would begin at 28 or 29 years of age, rather than the current 31. Goodenow, contacted in Toronto Thursday, flatly denied the accuracy of the report. (TSN.ca)

This is the Quick Facts annual tirade on the stupidity of the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee. For three straight years Dino Ciccarelli has been overlooked in favor of others, some much lesser players than he.
 
In 19 NHL seasons the little powerhouse forward scored 608 goals and is still ranked 13th on the NHL goal-scoring list.  He has a total of 1,200 points in his career. In 141 playoff games, he scored 73 goals and 45 assists. As a rookie with the North Stars he was a major reason for their berth to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1981. He had 14 goals and 7 assists in 9 games and is still in the franchise and NHL record books for rookie scoring in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
 
Ciccarelli was undrafted out of the London Knights of the OHL.  In 1978 he suffered a severe broken leg. He came back to score 50 goals. The North Stars decided to sign Ciccarelli as a free agent and as soon as he joined the team he made an impact.
 
Ciccarelli did have his off-ice difficulties and more than one run-in with the law. Ciccarelli pleaded guilty to indecent exposure after an incident in Eden Prairie. Ciccarelli's neighbor called police after Ciccarelli reportedly went to get his newspaper from his sidewalk not fully dressed. Chances are that if the police received that phone call from the neighbor today they would probably laugh rather than make any arrest.
 
In 1988 Ciccarelli became the first player to serve jail time for a penalty on the ice. He was sentenced to 24 hours in jail for hitting Luke Richardson with his stick. He only stayed behind bars for two hours.
 
If Bernie Federko can make it to the Hall then there is no excuse for Ciccarelli not to be there.  His goals never made highlight reels, the small forward fought every goalie in the league for space in their crease and he deserves to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

"It hasn't been an easy eight months, looking like an idiot every day when I wake up."  - Former UND defenseman Mike Commodore on his long hair and beard which will be shaved for a charity event. (Calgary Sun)

"It's frustrating and disappointing. It would be great honour to be selected, but it hasn't happened and that's the way it is. I don't know the process, so I don't have any explanation for how it's done.  But it would be an honour to get in." - Former North Star Dino Ciccarelli on being snubbed for a third straight year by the Hall of Fame selection committee. (London Free Press)

"I'm very encouraged with the future of the franchise. Some of the young players we have, Brooks Orpik, Ryan Whitney's probably going to play next year. Noah Welch in college is going to be another great player. Look at the guys we have up here. Ryan Malone and Koltsov and all these guys. Fleury in net. We made some good trades as well. Getting Jackman, who's a solid defenseman, as we all saw, and Tarnstrom. We feel that the is team is going to be a good team for years to come, with the players we have." Penguins star and owner Mario Lemieux on the status of the Pittsburgh hockey team. (Pittsburgh Penguins)

A former Gopher was certain to win the Stanley Cup this year. Ben Clymer played at the U before leaving early in an attempt to gain free agency through what is now called the Van Ryn Rule, after former Michigan player Mike Van Ryn. Clymer left the Gophers and played in the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds. As a junior player the Boston Bruins were required to sign him before the June 1 deadline, two years after he was drafted, teams retain the rights of college players for longer. Clymer's case was set for arbitration before the NHL stepped in and asked the Bruins to release Clymer to avoid the ruling. The Bruins complied and Clymer signed with the Lightning as a free agent. One year later Van Ryn challenged the ruling again and the NHL arbitrators ruled in his favor, creating what is now called the Van Ryn rule. The Canadian Hockey League member leagues have closed the loophole by not allowing players from college to sign with t heir teams if they have previously been drafted. That rule is currently being challenged as discriminatory in court.

Clymer didn't play for most of the NHL playoffs, suiting up for only one game in the first round against the Islanders and playing less than 4 minutes. He was added to the roster late in the finals because of injury and played well with Chris Dingman and Martin Cibak on the Bolt's 4th line. Clymer played 5 playoff games, and had an average of 7:46 in ice time and a total of 2 shots with no points or penalties and an even rating. He gets his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, will have the Cup for 24 hours and will receive a Stanley Cup Championship ring.

Jordan Leopold three times had a game-tying goal on the tape of his stick in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. Twice he was robbed by Tampa netminder Nikolai Khabibulin, once he missed the net. The Hobey Baker winner was on the ice in more short-handed situations than any other player in the game, 4:31 in total. His three shots on net were tied for first in the game with Vinnie Lecavalier, Ruslan Fedotenko and Martin St. Louis. He was fifth in total ice time skating 22:39 with over 5 minutes in the third period. For the first time in a few games Leopold was not part of the starting defensive duo. 

Jordan Leopold is a restricted free agent this summer.  Leopold should be in for a big pay raise from his $900,000 he earned last season. With a payroll of $35.2 million US, the Flames began the 2003-04 season ranked 19th in the league, that figure is certain to be elevated next season with Leopold and star captain Jarome Iginla.

Do you think Jordan Leopold could get a royalty for every time the clip of him being stone-cold robbed by Nikolai Khabibulin for the game-tying goal with under five minutes remaining in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals? It is sure to be replayed numerous times as a classic Stanley Cup highlight, or lowlight, depending on your perspective.

Though Ben Clymer left the University of Minnesota early, he is still the first former Gopher to hoist the Cup since Tom Chorske and Neal Broten claimed the trophy with the New Jersey Devils in 1995. Jamie Langenbrunner was the last Minnesotan to win the Cup after winning the championship with the Devils last year.

Ben Hankinson, the agent that signed Keith Ballard to the Coyotes, was also with the Devils the 1995 Stanley Cup season, but was traded in March to the Tampa Bay Lightning with Alexander Semak for Shawn Chambers and Danton Cole.

Former North Star and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Dino Ciccarelli attended Monday's Game 7.

Ciccarelli will receive strong consideration for election to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Announcements are expected Wednesday. Former North Stars Bobby Smith and Brian Bellows will also be eligible. Look for the late Herb Brooks to be posthumously inducted to the Hall in the builders category this year or next. The Class of 2004 will be honored during Hall of Fame Weekend Nov. 5-7, with induction ceremonies set for Nov. 8.

Jason Wiemer, who played with the Minnesota Wild last season, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning and played four seasons there. He then played for the Calgary Flames for four seasons. 

If there is a work stoppage in the NHL next season, or if the Phoenix Coyotes believe that Keith Ballard needs a little more seasoning and experience before jumping into the NHL he will play with the AHL Utah Grizzlies in the same arena Canada won the gold medal in during the 2002 Olympic Games. The Coyotes moved their primary affiiation to the Grizzlies, who joined the AHL as part of the merger with the now-defunct IHL, after sending prospects to the Springfield Falcons for several years. The Grizzlies are the former primary affiliate of the Dallas Stars who will now be sending players to the Wild's Houston Aeros. The Stars and Grizzlies are currently battling in court over problems with their affiliation contract and the Grizzlies still do not have a head coach. They will unveil a new uniform soon, to reflect the colors of the Coyotes, but the logo and name will remain the same. Wayne Gretzky, Mike Barnett and the Coyotes staff are expecte d to name the new Utah coaching staff soon. Look for former UMD and NHL blueliner Norm MacIver and possibly former NHL tough-guy Marty McSorely to get consideration. Both had been involved with the Falcons through their relationship with the Coyotes.

Wyatt Smith and the Milwaukee Admirals will host a Calder Cup Championship Rally Wednesday night at the Bradley Center. The rally will include a ceremony or honor the players and coaches, a blind silent auction, and live music.  The Calder Cup will also be on display. Those interested can purchase Wyatt's home jersey in the silent auction. The only two sweaters that will not be available will be Jay Henderson's and Wade Flaherty's as they will be put on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Other items to be auctioned off will include: team autographed sticks, helmets, and jerseys, as well as game used sticks, socks, and hockey gloves. Doors will open to the Rally at 5:30 and there is no charge to attend. (Milwaukee Admirals)
 

The University of Minnesota Men's Gopher Hockey seniors of this season have started their own hcokey camp for children.  Their website back-2backplayerscamp.com is not yet operational but will be soon. There are several sessions still open and they are looking to add more children especially to camps held late June in Edina at Braemar Arena. Contact Joey Martin at mart0989@umn.edu or (612) 378-7099 for more information.

The Minnesota Wild is working with the NHL on a list of celebrities to invite to attend the World Cup of Hockey tournament to be held in Saint Paul in September. There were not too many notable names in attendance at the All Star Game this February though Peter Jennings, Erik McCormack and the Barenaked Ladies seemed to enjoy themselves. With Matt Dillon and Marissa Tomei filming in town this summer there is a chance they could be wooed to the event.  Tomei's last visit to the Twin Cities included a North Stars game as part of filming for her movie with Christian Slater, 'Untamed Heart.' 

Former NHL goaltender Damian Rhodes of Richfield is going to try his hand at professional golf. Rhodes was paid the full value of his multi-million dollar contract by the Atlanta Thrashers despite not playing a game last season and is using some of the money to buy into a prestigious golf club in Arizona. The Thrashers attempted to buy out Rhodes for the remainder of his contract for a discounted value last year after which Rhodes received a tryout for the Florida Panthers but failed the medical exam. Because Rhodes was not cleared to play due to an ankle injury suffered while with the Thrashers the buyout was nullified and Rhodes was paid the remainder of his contract value.

""I thought the team kept going, going, going, and you know, we gave it right to the very end. Had some chances, Leopold, I thought from the bench I guess he just missed the net, looked like he had a good opportunity." Craig Conroy after the Flames' Game 7 loss (calgaryflames.com)

"“We are excited to have Chris back in an Ice Dogs jersey once again.  Chris is the type of power forward who is coveted throughout the league." - Long Beach Ice Dogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Malcom Cameron on the signing of Mound's Chris Kenady for next season.

"We'll go on record as saying that we expect Slovak defenseman Andrej Meszaros to go in the top 15 - and possibly the top 10 - of this year's draft. Meszaros is well liked in the scouting community and possesses high-end skills, yet we have been perplexed with his lack of decisiveness and physical aggressiveness for most of the year, which has reflected in our rankings (29th overall). Caveat emptor. " - McKeen's Hockey on Quick Facts's predicted first round pick for the Minnesota Wild in this summer's NHL entry draft. (mckeenshockey.com)

Wyatt Smith and the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL were crowned Calder Cup Champions last night in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The Ads completed their four-game sweep of the Penguins by a score of 7-2. The Admirals franchise had never won a professional championship.  The only championship the team had won in its 34-year history was a semipro title in the United States Hockey League in 1976. Smith scored the Cup-clinching goal in the first period on the powerplay. After the Pens' Patrick Bolieau was sent to the box for holding.  He stuffed home a rebound on an Andrew Hutchinson slap shot to give the Admirals a 3-1 lead.  They added 4 goals and the Pens notched one more late tally, giving Smith the game-winner.  Admirals goaltender Wade Flaherty was named the Calder Cup MVP. 

Former UND player Tony Hrkac finished 4th in scoring in the playoffs with 8 goals and 12 assists.  Fellow Sioux Curtis Murphy fininished second in scoring among defenseman with 4 goals and 8 assists in 22 games.  Wyatt Smith finished the playoffs with 5 goals and 7 assists in 22 playoff games tied with Toby Petersen of the losing Penguins, who had 2 goals and 10 assists.

This is the third consecutive year that a team that formerly belonged to the International Hockey League won the Calder Cup. The American Hockey League absorbed six teams from the IHL when it folded after the 2000-01 season, and three have won a championship since joining: Chicago in 2002, Houston last year and now Milwaukee. The reason is that the those teams are comprised of veterans as well as prospects. Veteran leaders for the Admirals included Tony Hrkac, Wyatt Smith and Curtis Murphy. (Times Leader)

Former Gopher Center Wyatt Smith, is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. He was released by the Phoenix Coyotes after the 2001-2002 season after they chose not to qualify him.  He then signed a two-year contract with Nashville.  With his solid play in the Calder Cup playoffs and in his 18 games with Nashville during the regular season.look for Nashville to qualify the Theif River Falls native before the July 1st deadline.
 

Bloomington's Toby Petersen's contract with the Penguins also expires July 1.  Petersen played despite a wrist injury suffered in the Division Final against Philadelphia. One of the all-time leading scorers for the Wilkes-Barre franchise Petersen was also named the club's receipient of their Man of the Year award for his work to raise money for research and treatment of Juvenile Diabetes.  Petersen is a diabetic. 

During an on-air interview on KFAN radio about the Stanley Cup playoffs Grant Potulny said he is still waiting for his first paycheck from the Ottawa Senators' AHL farm team in Binhamton. Potulny played 3 regular season games and 2 playoff games for the B-Sens. 

Sixteen full-time employees of the Phoenix Coyotes and the Glendale Arena lost their jobs Friday, most victims of a likely National Hockey League lockout this fall. Phoenix Coyotes President Doug Moss said a dozen employees, including five for the hockey team, could return to work if there is not a work stoppage. However, four positions at the arena were eliminated. Moss said those let go would receive a severance package of at least two weeks pay and medical benefits for up to 90 days. The team in April released three other employees, but Moss said those cuts were part of a restructuring. The team and arena, which the Coyotes manage, have about 100 full-time employees, including the hockey staff. Those retained, who will have to make up the work, will be given 3 percent raises starting in July, Moss said. (Arizona Republic)

Despite layoffs and other personnel cutbacks at other NHL franchises the Minnesota Wild has repeatedly said that it is business as usual at the Wild offices. Wild employees are currently preparing for the NHL Entry Draft this month and the World Cup of Hockey tournament to be held at Xcel Energy Center in September.

The Wild is expecting sellouts for all 4 World Cup of Hockey games to be held at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul.  40% of Wild season ticket holders have purchased World Cup ticket packages. Season ticket holders were given the option of purchasing their exact Wild seat locations for the tournament with payments due last fall. 95% of season ticket holders for the Minnesota Wild have renewed their tickets for next season.

According to the Minnesota Wild website, the Wells Fargo Road Tour Traveling Party One ran into actor William DeVane at Michael's restaurant in Owatonna. The Minnesota Film Board doesn't have any information on what DeVane could be doing in the state as there is currently no production in the area but Matt Dillon and Marissa Tomei will be filming next week. Hockey fans will remember that Tomei was last here to film Untamed Heart where they filmed at a North Stars game.
 

Both Dino Ciccarelli and Brian Bellows are eligible for election to the Hockey Hall of Fame.  On Wednesday the Toronto Hall will vote for this year's inductees. Raymond Bourque is a sure-bet as is Paul Coffey who is eligible for the first time.  Also eligible is former North Star Larry Murphy.

"An excellent skater with good hands...Displays good poise and plays intelligently...A solid puckhandler...His legs are strong and he is hard to knock off the puck...Has good open ice speed...Moves well laterally" - 2000-2001 Nashville Predators media guide description of Matt Koalska.

"He could ascend. He could die. He could be promoted. My preference would be to see him end up in a log cabin on a lake in northern Minnesota!" - Minnesota native and hockey player Richard Dean Anderson on the final status of his Stargate character Jack O'Neill. (SciFi Pulse)

The Milwaukee Admirals scored six special-teams goals and cruised to an 8-4 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in Game 2 of the AHL Calder Cup 2004 Final on Wednesday night. The Admirals take a 2-0 series lead to northeastern Pennsylvania for Game 3 on Friday night. Wyatt Smith had an assist but was a -2 in the game for the Admirals. Toby Petersen tallied an assist and was even on the night. The lopsided game broke down with the Penguins' coach Michel Theirrien getting ejected from the game in the second period. The two teams combined for 156 PIM in the contest. Petersen earned a 10-minute misconduct penalty for "Inciting an Opponent" at 15:01 of the third period, Smith earned an unsportsmanlike minor late in the third period.

The Admirals took a commanding lead in the series with a 2-1 overtime victory Friday night.  Curtis Murphy set up a power play goal for the Ads in the second but the Penguins answered with their own power play marker late in the third.  Tony Hrkac got an assist on the game-winning goal in overtime for the Milwaukee after a scramble in front of the net.  Milwaukee is just one win away from their first-ever championship.  Toby Petersen and Wyatt Smith were both even and scoreless on the night.

Ben Clymer was a late addition to the Lightning playoff roster but his line with Chris Dingman and Martin Cibak has turned into one the Bolts' best on the ice.  In Game 5 the line was +1 and combined for five shots on net.

Did you know that the mascot for the Tampa Bay Lightning, ThunderBug, is a Minnesotan? The 29-year old Jason Franke makes more than 300 public appearances as the mascot each year. Franke took part in a publicity stunt for the Bolts at the start of the playoffs, sitting on the St. Pete Times Forum arena roof to generate enough exposure to sell out the first home game of the playoffs. (St Petersburg Times)

The Minnesota Wild signed free agent left wing Mark Rooneem on Thursday.  Rooneem was selected by the LA Kings in the 4th round of the 2002 entry draft but was not signed by LA, making him a free agent.  Rooneem is 6'2" and 182 pounds. The Hinton, Alberta native played three seasons with the Kamloops Blazers before joining the Calgary Hitmen the last two years.  Last season he scored 22 goals and 18 assists in 52 regular-season games for the Hitmen and had 3 points in 7 playoffs games.

Though the Minnesota Wild chose not to offer 2002 draft picks Armands Berzins or Barry Brust contracts, allowing them to become free agents, they haven't ruled out the possibility that they could be invited to training camp, so says Brad Smith, Manager of Media Relations and Team Services.

Milwaukee D Curtis Murphy and LW Jay Henderson are attempting to become the 16th and 17th players in AHL history to win a Calder Cup with different teams in consecutive years. Murphy and Henderson both played for Houston last season. The last player to achieve the feat was Terry Virtue with Providence in 1999 and Hartford in 2000. (Pittsburgh Times-Leader).

Geno Parrish, who played for the Greensboto Generals in the ECHL last season, has signed to play in the German Bundesliga for EHC Freiburg.  Bloomington's Parrish is the younger brother of New York Islanders forward Mark Parrish and a fellow St. Cloud State Husky. The younger Parrish was among the ECHL leaders in assists this season. In 72 games he had 11 goals and 55 assists.

Although the Flames usually rank just 18th among NHL teams in terms of merchandise popularity in North America, the NHL says it has sold about 80,000 Flames jerseys during the playoffs. That sets a league record for the most jerseys ever sold for one team in any two-month period. (USA Today)

Paul Martin was the featured player on the New Jersey Devils' website this week.  Fans were asked to send in questions for the former Gopher blueliner for their website feature "20 Questions."  Go here for the responses:

Paul Martin's game-winning goal on February 15th marked the first-ever overtime goal by a rookie in New Jersey history. (newjerseydevils.com)

French goaltender Cristobel Huet has signed a deal to play with HC Lugano of the Swiss Elite League in the event the NHL does not play next season and has an option for a second season. Huet was the back-up goaltender for the LA Kings last season, he is the second LA goalie to sign overseas. That could mean that the chances of Adam Hauser, who played extremely well for the Kings' AHL farm team last season, signing a contract with the Kings could improve.

ESPN.com's sports buisiness guru Darren Rovel recently ran a great story on the National Spelling Bee competition.  He picked Minnesota's Sam Rock to win the tournament, because Sam could spell the names of all the Minnesota sports celebrities including, Sekeras, Mientkiewicz, Szcerbiak and Gaborik.  Sam is a hockey player whose team won second place in his district-level playoff.  Unfortunately the Minnesota speller bowed out in the fourth round of the Bee on the word "obtenabrate".  The story is here.

Ironically, it was exactly one year ago, June 4, 2003, that a public hearing was held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to consider the assignment of the arena lease for the USHL RoughRiders Hockey club from RoughRiders Hockey, Inc to Agenzia LLC. At the time head coach Mark Carlson spoke on behalf of Forceia saying "Presently I think its a very exciting time for the organization and for the arena with Mr. Forceia and his staff coming in and taking over.  There are a lot of new and exciting ideas that are already underway and being talked about." (roughriders.com)

While the Tampa Bay Lightning are contending to capture the National Hockey League's championship, the Bolts can boast of being tops in one NHL category: Lightning merchandise was the most popular in the league last week.

Fans spent $553,000 on Lightning jerseys, hats and T-shirts at retail stores in the country during the week of May 24-30, capturing one-third of the NHL merchandise sales market for that seven-day period, according to SportScanInfo, a West Palm Beach company that tracks retail sporting goods sales across the nation. The Calgary Flames, the Lightning's Stanley Cup Finals foe, captured only about 1 percent of all NHL sales in the U.S. for that week, Schwartz said. (Tampa Tribune)

Defenseman Paul Mara has agreed to help ESPN promote its 25th anniversary celebrations later this year. The network sought Mara's aid because he was born Sept.7, 1979 - the day ESPN first aired programming. "They say I'm their birthday baby," Mara said Sunday. "It's a pretty good match. I've watched ESPN ever since I could comprehend TV."   Mara gave great reviews to Keith Ballard, whom he played with at the World Championships this spring.  The Coyotes now own Ballard's rights. (Arizona Republic)

"It's always about your assets and the timeline. If you want to move the timeline forward, you have to do the types of things we did to acquire Drury. That's a big advance, but you're also looking down the road with a guy like Danny Paille, with (2001 second-round pick) Derek Roy, with (2003 first-round pick) Thomas Vanek to know at some point they're going to take over."  Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier at the press conference announcing the signing of Dan Paille. (Buffalo News)

The Milwaukee Admirals won game 1 of the AHL Calder Cup finals Tuesday night beating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2-1 in overtime. The Ads took a 1-0 lead into the third period after Libor Pivko's tally in the second period. The Pens tied the score with just over seven minutes remaining in the third after Shane Endicott punched in a rebound from a Toby Petersen bad-angle shot from the lower left corner, sending the game to overtime. On a rare overtime power-play, Mathieu Darche tipped a shot from Curtis Murphy past goaltender Andy Chiodo to give the Ads the victory in the first game of the best-of-seven Championship series. Tony Hrkac got the second assist on the play, that followed a timeout called by Ads coach Claude Noel.  Petersen had one assist and was a +1 in the game for the Pens while Wyatt Smith was even on the night with one shot on net.  Just over four thousand Wisconsin fans showed up to watch Milwaukee skate to the victory at Bradley Center, the arena holds 17,000. Game two is Wednesday night.

In the deciding Game 7 of the AHL Eastern Conference Finals it was the Penguins that were victorious. Matt Murley deflected Colby Armstrong's flip from the right wing between the legs of a screened Jason LaBarbera and the Penguins claimed the Eastern Conference Final and a the ticket to face the Milwaukee Admirals for the Calder Cup Championship. Ken Gernander for the Wolf Pack and Toby Petersen for the Penguins were each held scoreless and both were even on the night.  The finals series begins Tuesday night in Milwaukee.

Tyler Arnason is scheduled to appear at the Chicago Blackhawks' Bensenville Dream Camp July 12-16. The week long camp is open to children 6-14 years old.

Ryan Whitney out of Boston University was the 5th round draft pick for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2002 draft. He signed with the Pens this Spring, foregoing his senior year at BU, for the rookie maximum, reportedly close to $1.5 million a season (salary and bonus). He has made an immediate impact with the Baby Penguins, helping them secure a spot in the AHL Calder Cup Finals. Thomas Vanek was the #5 pick in the 2003 draft.  It is likley that it would take an offer at least equal to Whitney's to get Vanek to sign with the Sabres this summer.  The Sabres just signed their 2002 first round pick Daniel Paille for far under the cap, reportedly around $600K a season (bonus & salary) but Paille was the 20th pick overall and isn't expected to make an immediate impact in the NHL. There is no chance Vanek would give up his eligibility for an offer like Paille's.

The Minnesota Wild lost the rights to former draft picks Armands Berzins and Barry Brust after failing to sign them to a contract before the June 1 deadline. They are now free agents. The Wild still own the rights to former Gopher Mike Erickson, however.

By virtue of being on the game sheet for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Ben Clymer has guaranteed that his name will be etched on the Stanley Cup if Tampa Bay wins the series.  Stanley Cup rules state a player must play in more than half of the regular-season games and at least one game in the Stanley Cup Finals to have his name inscribed on the Cup. Clymer's Bolts teammate Brad Lukowitch won the Cup with the Dallas Stars but did not meet the criteria and his name is not among the 46 Dallas players' names inscribed.

When Milwaukee Admirals blueliner Curtis Murphy won the 2001 Turner Cup in the last year of the International Hockey League before it folded and most teams merged into the AHL, he played with former Gopher defenseman Todd Richards. Todd Richards is now the assistant coach for the Milwaukee Admirals and is responsible for the defenseman. 

The Chicago Blackhawks have decided not to sign 2000 draft pick and former Golden Gopher Joey Martin. No comment on the decision from management was immediately available.

Former Gopher Reginald Berg will marry Christine Egart on June 19th in Minnesota. Berg recently finished his playoff run with the ECHL Florida Everblades who lost to the Idaho Steelheads in the Kelly Cup Championship final. He came out of retirement last fall to return to the Everblades after being a stockbroker in Minneapolis. The couple is registered at Target and Crate & Barrell.

Former Minnesota Wild forward Maxim Sushinski will return to St. Paul this fall for the Word Cup of Hockey representing the Russian team. Sushinski continues to be one of the leading Russian scorers in the Superleague playing for Omsk Avangard.  Last season he was the leading scorer in the league, scoring 20 goals and 41 assists in 54 regular season games for Omsk, who won the league championship. He had 2 goals and 6 assists in 11 playoff games.  He was also named to the post-season All Star team. The speedy forward played for Russia in the IIHF World Championships in Prague this spring. Sushinski is reportedly under a multi-million dollar contract, more than he would have ever earned with the Wild.  Ironically the Russian Superleague is set to begin their 2004-2005 season on September 1st, meaning Sushinski and goaltender Maxim Sokolov may miss the first few games if they play in the World Cup.

New Jersey Devils Defenseman Paul Martin will be answering questions posed to him via the Devils' website. Answers to questions set in by 5pm Wednesday will be posted on the website on Friday.  Go here

Legendary Flyers tough-guy Dave Schultz has agreed to be a judge for Hockey Gladiators set for August 20th in Minneapolis at the Target Center.  Judges will score 90-second bouts based on the number and quality of punches thrown, showmanship, crowd response, "general control," and "whose knees buckle first," according to the event's website.  Wrestling star Goldberg will do TV commentary with Dave "Tiger" Williams.  Minneapolis was chosen as the site for the even because there is no boxing or public fighting commission.  It was abolished by then-Governor and former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura.

While hockey has always been the Minnesota sport, LaCrosse is making great inroads as a summer/spring activity for a lot of those hockey players.  Minnesota boasted 7 All-Americans from their high schools this year, up from 1 last year.  Syracuse claimed another NCAA Championship over the weekend, but the Final Four event drew over 40,000 people.  Look for LaCrosse to have exponential growth in the state over the next few years and don't rule out the Minnesota Wild trying to acquire a Major League LaCrosse professional team to play at Xcel Energy Center.

Minnesota girls love hockey players. Word out of Canada is that former Nashville Predators defenseman Cale Hulse is freshly engaged to Duluth native Gena Lee Nolin, the former Baywatch & Sheena starlet.  The couple is scheduled to be married this fall. (Nashville Tenneseean)

Wild President and GM Doug Risebrough recently attended the NHL Combine in Toronto, evaluating players to be chosen in the NHL entry draft.

"I really wanted to make sure I finished my checks and kept my feet moving. I wanted to get in there against the defensemen that play 25 minutes and more and try to wear them down.''  - Ben Clymer on his game plan for his first time in the Tampa Bay Lightning's lineup in the Stanley Cup Finals. (Tampa Tribune)

"Do I advocate fighting?  I wouldn't say I advocate fighting. But I do advocate that it's an essential part of the game... . I was in Minnesota the other day and watched the Gophers play St. Cloud. People would take their sticks, swinging and slashing at the back of guys' knees, slashing a guy's arm. I don't want to call college hockey cheap hockey, but you don't see that happening as much in Canada, because what'll happen in junior hockey is, guys will just turn around and rip the guy's cage off and punch him out." - Hockey Gladiators  organizer Darryl Wolski. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

"It's important. We have to make sure we do those little things that maybe go unnoticed by a lot of fans and certainly doesn't get any attention in the press. We have to pull our weight, too." - Ben Clymer on his responsibility on a checking line with the Lightning. (St. Petersburg Times)