The Florida Panthers released the 08/09 regular season schedule today, they’ll be playing the Sabres in Buffalo on March 12th and March 25th. Another game nearby that’d be worth checking them out at is on Saturday January 3rd in Pittsburgh. This is the last season The Igloo (or Melon Arena) will be open, a great opportunity for Panthers fans to watch the team and also visit that arena one last time. View Complete Schedule
Archive for July, 2008
NY Times Article on Amerks Owner Curt Styres
The NY Times ran an article today about the new owner of the Rochester Americans and Rochester Knighthawks titled “Blazing a Trail From a Reservation Into Ownership.” It’s a lot of information that’s already been covered by local media, but is a nice time line all in one article about how he’s grown his businesses and made his money.
Here’s the full article:
July 16, 2008 Blazing a Trail From a Reservation Into OwnershipBy MATT HIGGINS
Published: July 16, 2008
OHSWEKEN, Ontario — On a sunny afternoon two weeks ago, Curt Styres sat in the grandstand here at Ohsweken Speedway talking above the roar of a tractor grooming the dirt track. He recalled a night this May when he had been driving the tractor, as he usually does before stock car races.
And how afterward he put on a suit and boarded a flight for Chicago, where he was to be approved as the newest American Hockey League owner. At the meeting, representatives from the minor league’s other 28 franchises questioned Styres, the 48-year-old prospective owner of the Rochester Americans. They wanted to know about his finances, what he did for a living and where he came from. [...]Read More
Amerks 53rd Season to Start October 10th
The Rochester Americans will start the 2008/2009 season at home on Friday October 10th at Blue Cross Arena. Our guess is that the home opener will be against the Syracuse Crunch considering the two teams will be playing each other 12 times.
This will be the first of the three year affiliation agreement between the Rochester Americans and the Florida Panthers. The team will have essentially a similar level of talent as last year, but without all of the other off ice garbage going on things should be much better. They really can’t get any worse (or at least we hope not).
Apologies about the news that is already a few days old, we’re back from summer vacation and getting caught up on everything that’s been going on.
Stefan Meyer Accepts Panthers Offer
Stefan Meyer accepted the Florida Panthers offer today to continue playing for the organization. The terms of the contract aren’t known to LetsGoAmerks at this time, but we have to assume he will be in Rochester once again for the upcoming season. Meyer was a key player last season playing in 70 games where he notched 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points. We can’t wait to have him back this year!
Amerks Look To Panthers as Free Agency Begins
The wishlist for Rochester Americans fans for the upcoming season includes some veteran forwards, defenseman, goaltending, and a player to bring some toughness to the team. The free agency market begins today and with indications from the Florida Panthers camp that they will be supplying all players for the Amerks this upcoming season, all eyes are on them throughout the rest of the summer to see who they’ll sign.
The Panthers did extend contract offers to restricted free agents Stefan Meyer, Drew Larman, Anthony Stewart, and Martin Lojek. Even though Lojek has signed to play overseas in the upcoming season, the Panthers extended him an offer in order to retain his rights should he decide to come back.
In order for the Amerks to be successul in the upcoming season it is that simple in terms of bringing in some experience. It could be debated that had the Amerks had some veteran leadership on the team last season it may have helped the young prospects get through a terrible season.
We need a goaltender to work with Tyler Plante and give the defense some confidence that when they screw up someone will be behind them to help out.
We need an enforcer that knows [...]Read More