When training camp for the Amerks opened on Monday they provided a roster of players at this years camp (not including players still not sent down by the Panthers and Sabres).
Amerks 2007 Training Camp (74kb .pdf)
Speedy McArdle should spark Amerks
Today’s Democrat and Chronicle wrote this article about Rochester Americans rookie Kenndal McArdle..
He clearly made the right decision. McArdle, a first-round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2005, should make a solid impact as a rookie left winger with the Rochester Americans this season.
“He’s an exceptionally fast skater,” said Panthers pro scout Jack Birch. “He’s got big-time speed, and he’s strong as a horse.”
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound McArdle is coming off a season of fulfillment in junior hockey. In early January, he helped Canada win the gold medal at the World Junior Championship.
Sabres Send a few back..
The Buffalo Sabres have announced that Dylan Hunter, Patrick Kaleta, Mike Card, Marc-Andre Gragnani, Mike Weber and goaltender Adam Dennis will be rejoining the Amerks this week at training camp. Clarke MacArthur, Mark Mancari and Marek Zagrapan are still battling for a possible starting spot as a forward for the Sabres and Andrej Sekera and Michael Funk are trying for the opening at defense that has been left vacant by Teppo Numminen as he recovers from heart surgery.
Another report from camp coming on Wednesday afternoon!
Amerks Open Training Camp!
The Rochester Americans opened training camp on Monday September 24 at the ESL Sports Center in Henrietta for the 2007/2008 season! Many players that will form the core roster are still at training camps for the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers but should be expected back by the end of the week. In the Democrat and Chronicle they talked about how the squad may have no one older than 23, so expect a young team who we’re hoping won’t listen to everyone who doubts them. Bob Mathews also talkes about how “AHL aint what it used to be.”
So, it seems that we may be the only ones here at LetsGoAmerks.com who’re excited about the upcoming season!
AHL 2007-2008 schedule released
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today released the complete schedule of regular-season games for the 2007-08 season, the league’s 72nd year of operation. The season, comprising an all-time high of 1,160 games, begins on Wed., Oct. 3 and concludes on Sun., Apr. 13. Each of the league’s 29 clubs will play 80 games, 40 at home and 40 on the road. With a divisional format again in place for the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs, more than two-thirds of this year’s schedule (782 of 1,160) will feature games between division rivals. The top four teams in each division will qualify for the 2008 postseason, with one possible exception: if the fifth-place team in the West Division finishes with more points than the fourth-place team in the North Division, it would cross over and compete in the North Division playoffs. For the eighth year in a row, the AHL’s regular season opens with a game at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza, as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins play host to the two-time defending Eastern Conference champion Hershey Bears on Oct. 3 at 7:05 p.m. ET.
The AHL returns to Cleveland in 2007-08 as the Lake Erie Monsters hit the [...]Read More
JANIK AND MCMORROW CELEBRITY BARTENDING JULY 19TH
FORMER AMERKS JANIK AND MCMORROW CELEBRITY BARTENDING JULY 19TH
(Rochester, NY) The Rochester Sports Group will hold a Celebrity Bartending Event for CURE Childhood Cancer Association on Thursday, July 19th from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Nathaniels Pub (251 Exchange Blvd.). All proceeds will go to CURE Childhood Cancer Association.
Former Rochester Americans Doug Janik and Sean McMorrow, Rochester Knighthawks defenseman Pat Cougevan, and Rochester Rhinos goalkeeper Scott Vallow and defender Jason Perry will work for tips for CURE. Members of the Rochester Venom and Rochester Rhinestones dance teams will also be present at the event. The 2007 Champions Cup will also be on display.
The mission of CURE Childhood Cancer Association is to “improve the lives of families coping with childhood cancer or chronic blood disorders by providing emotional, educational and financial assistance.
Amerks coach Cunneyworth eyes options
(July 18, 2007) The Buffalo Sabres are holding open the job as head coach of the Rochester Americans for Randy Cunneyworth, but whether he returns for an eighth season will be based upon decisions made by other NHL teams.
Cunneyworth met with Florida Panthers coach and general manager Jacques Martin over the weekend. Martin has an opening on his coaching staff because assistant George Kingston won’t return.
Cunneyworth played under Martin with the Ottawa Senators and was the team’s captain for four seasons (1994-95 to 1997-98).
New Ottawa Senators coach John Paddock reportedly is giving consideration to hiring him as an assistant as well.
Cunneyworth has coached the Amerks the past seven seasons, the longest uninterrupted tenure in the franchise’s 51-year history.
But with no changes planned on the Sabres coaching staff, he is looking elsewhere for a chance to move up to the NHL. He is under contract to the Sabres until the end of August but Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said he has granted “more than one” [...]Read More
Funk and Sekera looking for big seasons!
As the Rochester Americans battled the Hamilton Bulldogs at the end of the 06/07 season in the playoffs, besides the outstanding goal tending by Corey Price of the Crunch, our defense were too bruised to hold off the Bulldogs. As we head into the upcoming season Michael Funk and Andrej Sekera are hoping to make a big difference on the Rochester Americans team.
Two current defenseman for the Sabres, Jaroslav Spacek and Dmitri Kalinin were criticized for their performances during the playoffs, Funk and Sekera have their sights set on improving their play to one day replace them. Great news for them, let’s just hope the Sabres have some defenseman to replace them on the Amerks if the day comes!
07/17/07 Buffalo News Article
Funk, Sekera seeing spots Young defensemen ready if Kalinin, Spacek falterBy John Vogl NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
Updated: 07/17/07 7:02 AM
 Sometimes, it’s all about taking advantage of someone elses misfortune. Michael Funk and Andrej Sekera are working hard to do just that.
The Buffalo Sabres prospects are focused on themselves this summer, striving to improve every area as their second pro season approaches. If the defensemen don’t get better, their chances of advancing [...]Read More
Panthers resign Globke, Kreps
7/16/2007 2:16:32 PM
Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) – The Florida Panthers announced Monday that forward Rob Globke and center Kamil Kreps accepted their qualifying offers and will return to the Panthers organization for the 2007-08 season.
Kreps, 22, played in 14 games with Florida last season, scoring one goal and one assist.
Globke, 24, played in 19 games for the Panthers in 2006-07 posting one assist.
“Both Kamil and Rob showed progress in their development this past season and stepped in to play when called upon,” Panthers general manager and head coach Jacques Martin said. “We look forward to having them in our organization for another year and watching them continue to progress to the point where they become a regular in the Panthers lineup.”
Buffalo Sabres Rookie Training Camp: A Fan Perspective
The familiar crisp icy air felt good on my face. It had been far too long since I had seen the resemblance of hockey. What a perfect opportunity to see the prospects, and the young up-and-comers the Sabres organization had to offer. The opportune remedy to a hockey obsession, in much need of a fix.
The Buffalo Sabres held their Rookie Conditioning Camp from July 6th-11th at the Amherst Pepsi Center and HSBC Arena. The players had off-ice training in the mornings at HSBC arena, followed by on-ice workouts from 5-7 p.m. at the Amherst Pepsi Center.
I had the pleasure of making it out to the camp from the 8th-11th. This is my perspective on the players you can expect to see in the coming years.
I’ll start with the Goalies.
Adam Dennis – Buffalo’s sixth round pick in the 2005 entry draft. Before coming to Rochester last season, he played for the London Knights which were the OHL and Memorial Cup Champions in 2005. He seems to be more mindful when guarding the net, getting the pads much tighter. He is looking great, seems to have stepped his game up. When asked if he thought he would be [...]Read More
Sabres Rookie Camp
The Buffalo Sabres wrapped up rookie training camp on Wednesday July 11 with a scrimmage game, we’ll have a more detailed report posted on Thursday. Until then listen to some reports that WGR 550 has online as well as there own recap here.
Sabres Prospects (Brennan, Zagrapan, MacArthur)Â Wrap Camp With Nick Mendola
Panthers make offers to 4 Amerks, 2 left behind
The Florida Panthers made qualifying offers to (RW) Rob Globke, (C) Kamil Kreps, (C) Janis Sprukts, and (D) Noah Welch. (RW) Greg Jacina and (D) Jeremy Swanson were left without offers.
In 19 games played with the Florida Panthers in the 2006-2007 season Rob Globke had 1 assist on March 20th against the Philadelphia Flyers. In Rochester, Globke had 7 goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 48 games.
Kamil Kreps spent 14 games in Florida where he scored his first NHL goal on April 6th against the Tampa Bay Lightning and had 1 assist. In Rochester, Kamil Had 35 points including 14 goals in 50 games.
Janis Sprukts also had his first NHL goal on April 6th against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He spent 13 games in Florida this season and had 3 points. In Rochester, Sprukts had 18 goals and 41 assists in 58 games.
Scoring his first goal as a Panther, also on April 6th against the Tampa bay Lightning, Noah Welch was brought the Amerks on February 27th, when he was traded to the Florida Panthers by the Penguins in exchange for Gary Roberts.