Click here for a great writeup about the event, here’s the lineup from the same article:

Local NHLers Brian Gionta, Marty Reasoner and Ryan Callahan are playing. So is Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, Amerks assistant coach Jason Cipolla and former Amerks coach Randy Cunneyworth. Former Amerks and Sabres tough-guy winger Rob Ray will play. Other players include Sabres center Tim Connolly, former RIT standout Dan Ringwald, San Jose Sharks center Scott Nichol, and former Amerks Jody Gage, Rory Fitzpatrick, Jim Pettie, Jim Wiemer, Scott Metcalfe and Gates Orlando.

The off-ice “honorary” coaches are perhaps even more impressive: Olympians Jim Craig (Charron’s uncle) and Mike Eruzione. Hall of Fame center Marcel Dionne. The French Connection of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert. Former Sabres and Amerks goalie Martin Biron. Former coach and current ESPN analyst Barry Melrose. Former Amerks Jim Hofford and Geordie Robertson. Former NHLer Peter Mahovlich.

Even Harry Neale, the guy who coached the real “Hanson brothers” (Jack, Steve and Jeff Carlson), will be on hand. He’s now the analyst on Sabres broadcasts.

Here are the rosters:

White team: David Leggio, Vinnie Pizzo, Rory Fitzpatrick, Jim Wiemer, Craig Muni, Kevin Quick, Tom Pizzo, Brian Gionta, Stephen Gionta, Scott Nichol, Patrick Kaleta, Randy Cunneyworth, Jason Cipolla, Adam Mair, Jody Gage, Mark McCutcheon, Chris Collins.

Red team: Billy Sauer, Jim Pettie, Lindy Ruff, Nathan Paetsch, Bryan Muir, David Shields, Dan Ringwald, Ryan Callahan, Tim Connolly, Marty Reasoner, Andrew Peters, Geoff Peters, Rob Ray, Scott Metcalfe, Scott Bartlett, Gates Orlando, Paul Baier.

Officials: Peter Feola, Dan Murphy, Brian Lemon, Derek Sylvester.

Unless you’re stuck at work like myself, this should not be missed.  Looking forward to hearing all about it though.

Hockey Game Today in Rochester with Amazing Lineup is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!

** Mike Santos told the Sun-Sentinel that he “expects to name a coach at AHL Rochester this weekend.”  Today is Friday the weekend is upon is.  It’s going to be interesting with the affiliation up in the air after this season if someone agrees to a long term deal or just a one year deal to get through this season.

** Jeff Taffe was traded on Thursday from the Florida Panthers to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Marty Reasoner.  This was a salary dump by both teams.  Taffe was signed by Randy Sexton last season and I didn’t really see him making the Panthers roster this season.  It was also unlikely the Panthers wanted to pay him NHL money to play in the AHL.  The Blackhawks are still trying to dump salary so they got rid of Reasoner who is someone Tallon is familiar with and would probably rather have on the roster.

** Mark Cullen was signed to a one year two way deal at the same time.  Cullen scored 21 goals and 32 assists with the Rockford IceHogs last season.  Similar numbers to Taffe and is on a two way deal.

** The Sun-Sentinel also reported that the Panthers are severing ties with the Florida Everblades and will add a new affiliate by the “end of next week,” according to Santos.  The Panthers aren’t exactly overflowing with players so it’ll be interesting to see who they affiliate with and what they can actually provide a team.  Last season the Everblades really only benefited from Chris Beckford-Tseu, Matt Duffy and Brady Calla from the Amerks/Panthers.

That’s all for now.  It’s been a very uneventful July but in the Panthers we must trust!

Goodbye Taffe, Everblades and Possible Coach This Weekend is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!

One bright spot is that the Amerks will play twice against the Worcester Sharks, once at home and once on the road.  At least there’s one different team on the schedule.

There are no games against Western Division teams at all.  The only team in the Atlantic Division the Amerks will play is the Sharks.

The biggest obstacle in place is obviously travel expenses, teams want to minimize the costs by having to fly as little as possible.  But at the same time, how does it make any sense that a team plays one team 10 times and another 8 times and neither team is in the same division?

Yes, it can add to a rivalry with some teams but it gets tiring after a while.  I’ve heard from a lot of average fans (only a few games a season), “anytime I decide to go to a game it’s always against the same team.”  The American Hockey League prides itself on being the development league of the NHL but does not embrace that in it’s scheduling.  There are fans everywhere of different NHL teams and they would have interest in seeing prospects of those teams but it’s not possible.

It’s the same thing year after year so in a way there’s no surprises and complaining is just wasting energy.

Here’s the way the schedule will look versus opposing teams:
10 – Hamilton Bulldogs
10 – Syracuse Crunch
8 – Lake Erie Monsters
8 – Toronto Marlies
8 – Manitoba Moose
8 – Binghamton Senators
6 – Grand Rapids Griffins
4 – Abbotsford Heat
4 – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
4 – Hershey Bears
4 – Adriondack Phantoms
4 – Albany Devils
2 – Worcester Sharks

The full schedule will be out in early August, after the NBA releases their schedule.

Amerks Release Schedule Format, See a Whopping 13 Teams Out of 30 is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!

In his last season at Canisius College, Hudson had 14 goals and 20 assists in 35 games.  In the 12 games he played for the Amerks he only had one assist but the stats don’t tell the whole story.  Hudson played a physical defensive game, something some of the other players failed to do.  Hudson will help fill the role of a physical defenseman, something returning players Keaton Ellerby, Jordan Henry and Michael Caruso aren’t exactly known for.

In his first professional game he dropped the gloves with  Andre Deveaux of the Toronto Marlies.  He didn’t exactly win the fight, but he stepped up to show he wasn’t going to be pushed around and would stand up for himself.

The fact that the Florida Panthers signed Hudson an entry level contract shows that they liked what they saw in his potential future.  I’m also sure that Jody Gage and Ted Nolan gave Hudson a positive review and encouraged the signing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsOxJMt0INk

Hopefully local RIT hockey fans can get over what he did to their team and support his role on the Amerks.  On February 2, 2008 during a game between Canisius and RIT he left the bench during a big fight and was ejected from the game.  Not the best move, but another sign that he stands up for his teammates.  He’s #2 in the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwmSHoAs1mc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Ob1R4dnQ8

Good job Panthers, looking forward to the return of Hudson!

Carl Hudson Signs with Panthers, Will Help Amerks Defense is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!

Updated: I had originally said only the Eastern Conference had the crossover rule.

The Eastern Division will have eight teams and the Atlantic will only have seven this coming season.  What the cross over rule means is that the fifth place team in the East would make the playoffs if it has more points than the fourth place team in the Atlantic.  That means that five teams could make the playoffs in the East and only three in the Atlantic.

The same thing applies for the West and North Divisions. If the fifth place team in the North has more points than the fourth place team in the West Division the fifth place team will make the playoffs.

Now that the league has 30 teams the ideal scenario would be for the top eight teams in each conference to make the playoff no matter what division they are in.  Unfortunately this is the American Hockey League though and what would seem to make the most sense does not happen.

Thanks to Lindsay Kramer for the original post providing the information and also clarifying the rule.

AHL Playoff Format for 2010-2011 Season is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!

Defenseman Dan Jancevski along with forwards Tim Stapleton and Mike Glumac are still available and two players that could fit in with the Amerks.  One of these days there’ll be some news about Rochester and not just everyone else.

Here’s the players signed so far today:

Forward Kyle Greentree and defenseman Brian Fahey signed to play for the Hershey Bears.

Corey Lockey signed with the Ottawa Senators, will likely end up in Binghamton which is a team that needs all the help they can get.

Andrew Hutchinson signed for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.  In an instant he gave a huge boost to the blue line for the Penguins.  Watch for them to be serious contenders again this season.

As always, stay tuned to twitter.com/LetsGoAmerks for the latest updates and discussion!

More Top Free Agent Signings in The AHL is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!

From Steve Gorten of the Sun-Sentinel:

Brian Skrudland will soon be named either the Panthers’ director of development  or director of player personnel.

From what I understand, his role will be as a mentor, helping the young players adjust to the league, so I would tend to think the title will be development.

Skrudland was the franchise’s captain from its inception through the first four seasons, including that 1995-96 team that reached the Stanley Cup finals.

With the description of his role we’ll likely see him in Rochester often.

Panthers Hire Brian Skrudland for Development Role is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!

We know that Mike Santos and Jody Gage have been working together, looking forward to hearing about some completed deals.  The one thing that most players are still looking for is the chance to earn a call up to the NHL, unfortunately that’s something the Panthers may not be willing to offer as quickly as some other teams.  Hopefully that does not get in the way of things and some contracts get signed.

Here’s a look at some potential free agents still available and how they’d fit into the Amerks roster followed by where the top players have already signed.

The Amerks are in need of a top line center to replace the scoring that Jamie Johnson provided.  The best option for him would be Corey Locke, a player that helped lead the Bulldogs to the Calder Cup in 2007.  Some people say he may be small but he’s quick and capable of 30 goals and 50 assists.  Chris Taylor and Scott Timmins are likely not going to be able to provide that type of scoring at center.

Looking for a winger to provide some scoring but would not take up a veteran spot could be Kyle Greentree.  Greentree played for the Rockford IceHogs last season so it’s someone that Dale Tallon is probably well aware of.

Mike Glumac is a veteran goal scorer that can be relied on for 20+ goals a season.  Since Graham Mink and Michal Repik the only right wingers penciled in the Amerks roster that can score he’s a worthy option.

Mike York is also still available and enjoyed his time in Rochester and would likely sign a deal if one was presented to him.  The only downside to York is his knee but a healthy York makes the team he’s playing on instantly better.  When he camps out to the side of the net and has or waits for the puck he’s lethal.  May not have the fastest skates anymore but the way he handles the puck takes care of that.

Looking at defense, Dan Jancevski is still available and could fit the role perfectly of a veteran defenseman that is needed on the Amerks roster of a big physical player.  Andrew Hutchinson is also available but he’s more of a puck moving player.  Keaton Ellerby and Jordan Henry can handle that.  Someone is needed to help protect Jacob Markstrom in front of the net, something Jancevski could do.  Alex Henry is another veteran defenseman that would be worth going after as well.

Jordan Hendry would be a great addition just for the amusing idea of getting to hear Don Stevens do play by play with a Jordan Hendry and a Jordan Henry.

There’s a lot more players in the “Top 50″ than the ones mentioned here (even players not listed from oversea’s), this was just a few that I picked out.  Agree, disagree or have some other names to share please post a comment!

Here’s the top players that have already signed and where…

Alexandre Giroux – signed a one year one way deal with the Edmonton Oilers.  A top free agent AHL teams would love, but the chance of the NHL is something most parent teams were not ready to offer.  Giroux said that he turned down a $1.2 Million offer from Dynamo Minsk of the KHL because he’s chasing the dream of playing in the NHL.  Shows that money is not everything to all athletes!  Not like any more proof is needed that the Hershey Bears is a top organization but he told Penn Live,  “Hopefully, one day I can come back [to Hershey] and play a couple more years there to finish what I started.”

Even though the Hershey Bears are being disassembled they’ll still find a way to win and even have players saying they’ll go back.

Brett Sterling – signed a one year two way deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Jonathan Bombulie wrote, “The Pittsburgh Penguins made one of the biggest free-agent splashes in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hockey history Saturday when they signed sniper Brett Sterling.”

Chris Minard – Joined a good friend by the name of Jamie Johnson by signing with the Detroit Red Wings.  Both Johnson and Minard signed two year deals with the Red Wings.  Minard will be making $300,000 in the AHL which ties him with Keith Acoin for highest paid player in the league.  The Red Wings also signed Greg Amadio for the Griffins.  Watch for the Griffins to go from worst in 09/10 to one of the best in 10/11.

Garrett Stafford – Signed to a two year two way deal with the Phoenix Coyotes.  One of the top defenseman in the league last year and helped lead the Texas Stars to the Calder Cup finals.

That’s all for now.  Stay tuned to twitter.com/LetsGoAmerks for the latest updates!

Top AHL Free Agents Still Available, Where Others Signed is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!

Bill Thomas is a right winger that is four games short of being considered a veteran player.  He’s considered a decent player but also streaky.  His best season in the AHL was 2007/08 with the San Antonio Rampage when he scored 24 goals and had 28 assists in 75 games.  In a combined 72 games the past two seasons with the WB/S Penguins and Springfield Falcons he had a combined 13 goals and 22 assists.

Here’s more on Triston Grant from Kevin O:

He’s a gritty, gutsy left winger who has some skill, can definitely skate and isn’t afraid to fight anyone. This past season with the Milwaukee Admirals he scored 12 goals, assisted on 13 and also piled up his customary 200-ish penalty minutes (236). He has averaged 192 minutes for his five-year AHL career with the Philadelphia Phantoms and Admirals.

What the numbers don’t show is that he was a regular penalty killer for the Admirals the past two seasons. Two years ago, he was struck in the face by a slap shot and suffered a broken jaw. But before he sought medical attention, he finished his shift.

“You’re going to like seeing him play,” said Panthers assistant general manager Mike Santos, who until being hired yesterday by Florida was the guy overseeing operations in Milwaukee for the NHL’s Nashville Predators. “This is a 100-percent character guy.

“He’ll score 10-15 goals a year, get 200 penalty minutes a year, and I mean real minutes. He’s a voice in your locker room and he’s a leader on the ice.”

Santos says Grant is the type of player the Amerks have always had, the type that helps a team win. The Dane Jackson type. The Dan Frawley type.

The downside to Grant is that he takes up one of five veteran spots allowed on an AHL roster, something that became an issue for the Amerks last season.  The way Mike Santos is selling Grant we’ll have to take his word and expect a dedicated player ready to lead the Amerks to wins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Sk-xAfIgs

You can see the rest of Grant’s fight card at hockeyfights.com.

Triston Grant and Bill Thomas Signed for the Amerks is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!

Jimmy Bonneau signed a one year deal with the Hamilton Bulldogs.  Bonneau made headlines in the world of hockey fights last season when he fought Jon Mirasty four times in two games in October 2009.  Tough player who stands up for his team and not afraid to back down from anyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDEUjvoi28k

Jamie Johnson signed with the Detroit Red Wings along with Chris Minard and goalie Joey MacDonald.  All three were signed for North Division rival Grand Rapids Griffins and immediately made that team better.

Steve MacIntyre returned to the Edmonton Oilers with a one year deal, the same team that claimed him off of waivers in 2008 and then waived him in 2009.  He’ll have a great chance at cracking the Oilers lineup.

Highlight of the season was seeing MacIntyre knockout Jeremy Yablonski:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jIBsmoBrGQ

Best of luck elsewhere guys and don’t beat up on the Amerks too much when you’re an opponent!

New Teams for Johnson, Bonneau and MacIntyre is a post from: Let's Go Amerks!