Posts Tagged ‘Evgeny Dadonov’

Bonneau Signs, Friday Morning Practice, Party Deck

October 2, 2009 - By

The Amerks are on the ice this morning for possibly the last practice before their first game on Saturday night at home against the Lake Erie Monsters.  As of right now Benoit Groulx has tomorrow morning scheduled off but that could change any at any minute.

Post Practice Update: Jimmy Bonneau and Jon Landry signed a PTO contracts with the Amerks prior to practice this morning which allowed them to be on the ice.  Victor Oreskovich and Trevor Gillies are still negotiating with the team with discussions going well.  I’m sure both will be signed soon.  Goalie Ryan Mior was released.

The first thing you’ll probably notice in the arena tomorrow is the new “Party Deck” located behind at the zamboni entrance end of the arena.  The deck includes sections 103, 102, 101, 129, and 128.  The seats have been taken out and a platform is setup for group rentals.  Lewis Staats said that one of the things they noticed last year traveling around the league was that Rochester was one of the few arenas that did not have an area where fans could be right near the action.  The team was able to work with [...]Read More

Amerks Defeat the Crunch with a Strong Performance

September 30, 2009 - By

The Amerks won a game on the road in Syracuse.  Amazing.  What an odd drive home that was talking about how well the team played instead of the other way around.  With two minutes left in the game my sons face lit up with excitement that he finally saw a win in Syracuse, something he’s never witnessed before in his life.

Ok, back to ground level, it was only a preseason game.. but I’ll take it.

The team that played on Tuesday night in Syracuse was a completely different team than the one that played on Sunday night.  The team had some chemistry, some cohesion, the passes were crisp, bodies were thrown around, goals were scored, and there was blood.  What more can you ask for in a hockey game?

I knew we were in for a good game when players were chirping at each other during warmups.   Trevor Gillies for the Amerks was stretching near the red line at the end of warmups when a couple of pucks came across the ice in his direction.  How did they get there?  Kevin Harvey of the Syracuse Crunch.  Warmups ended with Gillies tossing a puck back towards Gillies and the two [...]Read More

Jeff Taffe, Preseason Game #3 vs Crunch, End of Camp

September 29, 2009 - By

The Amerks wrapped up training camp this morning at the always freezing cold ESL Centre in Henrietta.  The team will also finish there preseason with a game tonight in Syracuse against the Crunch at the On Center.  The puck drops just after 7pm and I’ll be there.  Tickets are $5, no idea if they’ll charge more at the door.

The Florida Panthers today placed Jeff Taffe on waivers.  There’s very little chance he’ll be claimed off of waivers based on his current contract.  He’s signed to a two way deal this season and a one way NHL deal in 2010/2011.  I doubt an NHL team see’s that much value in him, or at least we can hope.  I’ll try to find out tonight if there’s any chance he’ll fly back on his own to join the Amerks.

Tonight’s game is an opportunity for the first two lines to try and continue building some chemistry on the ice.  It’s also a game for a few players to get a last look by the team prior to either being released or offered deals to go play with the Everblades.

The line of Dadonov, Taylor, and Mink looks to be our top line [...]Read More

Amerks Lose Second Preseason Game

September 28, 2009 - By

Brent Regner, Dan LaCosta, and Jamie Johnson

Something familiar happened on Sunday evening, the Amerks lost to the Crunch.  The final score was 4-1, the fourth goal was on an empty net.

If you showed up to the game expecting to see some finesse hockey you would have been let down.  The games going on in the other rinks were probably smoother than this one.

The game was sloppy, was all over the place, had little chemistry, and also had some guys trying to show themselves off more than trying to work together as a team.

We just need to remember, it’s only the preseason.  These players have only skated together a couple of times with there first real practice together Sunday morning for a short gameday skate.

After the game head coach Benoit Groulx said, “To me it’s an exhibition game.  We have alot of things that we need to put together and we’ll keep working at it.”

“Tonight we’re missing so many guys still with the Panthers like Repik, Duco, and Taffe.  Tonight we tried something and obviously it’s too early to get an idea,” is how Benoit Groulx replied to a question [...]Read More

Preseason Game #2: Amerks vs Crunch at ESL Centre

September 27, 2009 - By

Mike Sgroi and Trevor Gillies

It’s hockey night in Rochester Henrietta!  The Amerks play their first home game tonight at the ESL Centre in Henrietta to take on the Syracuse Crunch.  The two teams will play again against each other in Syracuse on Tuesday night.

These games have a little more meaning in terms of players looking to make the roster.  Syracuse is well known for being a team that likes to fight and the Amerks have a three guys that are willing.  Mike Sgroi, Trevor Gillies, and Jimmy Bonneau will be trying to prove in these games they deserve to earn a contract with the team.

Rory Fitzpatrick was skating with the team this morning but will not be playing.  He’s healthy and ready to go but there’s no need for him to play in a meaningless game.

The game might be meaningless but the players are not.  While watching practice I could overhear kids at the arena for tournaments talking about seeing “these guys in NHL 10.”  One kid said, “I had to play against these guys when I was sent down to the Hershey Bears.”

I have no idea where [...]Read More

Amerks Open Training Camp With A Scrimmage

September 24, 2009 - By

The Rochester Americans opened the 2009 training camp getting right to the point, playing hockey!  There was not any skating, passing, or shooting drills.  The players got on the ice, skated a few laps and went right into playing a scrimmage.  It feels like a it was only a few weeks ago that the Rochester Americans cleaned out their lockers and went home for the summer.

Who were half those players out on the ice?  I have no idea and neither did a lot of other people.  They don’t have numbers or names on the practice jerseys and it’s the first time a lot of them have met.

After a brutal preseason travel schedule with the Florida Panthers the more recognizable players that we’ll be expecting the most from were given the morning off.  Those players were Graham Mink, Mike York, Kenndal McArdle, David Brine, Jamie Johnson, Jordan Henry, and Clay Wilson.  Rory Fitzpatrick was on the ice this morning prior to everyone else putting in some skating.  Assuming nothing crazy happens those players are all guaranteed roster spots for opening night.

Looking back at the start of 2008 training camp we were all hopeful [...]Read More

Amerks Training Camp Roster Here

September 23, 2009 - By

2008 ESL Practice

Here’s a quick list of the players that will be with the Amerks during training camp.  Many of them were just cut by the Panthers on Wednesday so no idea if they’ll be here on Thursday.

The players still with the Panthers are Mike Duco, Jeff Taffe, Alexander Salak, Michal Repik, and Shawn Matthias.  Chances are Matthias and Repik will be sticking with the Panthers.

The List (typed up quick, will post more later):

Forwards

Under Contract: Chris Taylor, David Brine, Brady Calla, Evgeny Dadonov, James DeLory, Jamie Johnson, Kenndal McArdle, Graham Mink, Victor Oreskovich, Andrew Sweetland, Mike York, and Dan Collins

Invites: Scott Bartlett, Jimmy Bonneau, Benjamin Breault, Trevor Gillies, Stephane Goulet, Tom Harrison, Lee Jubinville, Tyrel Lucas, Josh McQuade, Jordan Morrison, Nathan O’Nabigon, Les Reaney, Mathieu Roy and Mike Sgroi

Defense

Under Contract: Rory Fitzpatrick, Michael Caruso, Keaton Ellerby, Peter Aston, Luke Beaverson, Matt Duffy, Clay Wilson, Jordan Henry

Invites: Travis Gawryletz, Cleve Kinley, Jon Landry, Dwayne Zinger

Goalies

Under Contract: Tyler Plante, Chris Beckford-Tseu

Invites: Daryl Borden and Ryan Mior

Under Contract:

Panthers Finish Day 1 of Rookie Camp

September 8, 2009 - By

It was an exciting day for hockey fans on Monday as a number of teams including the Florida Panthers started their first official practices for the rookies.  Here’s a couple of reports out of camp, I don’t have plans to post updates often unless something spectacular is reported out of camp so check the links.

We have reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming season along with reasons to not get our hopes up just yet.  We’ll know more when October arrives, the lineup is complete, and games have started being played.  Until that happens we’ll continue to read how great everyone looks and the potential they have.

From Litter Box Cats:

A few quick thoughts: Evgeny Dadonov appeared in game-ready condition; he’s a smaller guy, but quick and possessing a nice wrister. Dmitry Kulikov is similar in size, with a Keith Ballard-ish stature and a hint of what may be toughness. Certainly was not out of place among his brethren. A number of participants seemed to be a half-step behind the drills, but I had to continually remind myself that this is Day One; midseason form we ain’t gonna get. Michal Repik remains the speedster he was at [...]Read More

Florida Panthers Rookie Camp Opens Today

September 7, 2009 - By

The Florida Panthers open their rookie camp on this morning down in Florida at Incredible ICE, but I prefer to call it the warm up to Amerks training camp on September 24th!

A number of players were in Rochester this past week prior to heading down to Florida including David Brine who tossed out the first pitch at the Rochester Red Wings baseball game on Friday night.  With camp starting the season now even closer.

“The rookie camp provides our coaching staff the opportunity to work with our prospects in an environment that enhances skill development and accelerates the process to play in the NHL,” Florida Panthers Assistant General Manger Randy Sexton said. “This camp focuses on high-tempo on-ice and off-ice workouts that will prepare our prospects to compete in pre-season competition.”

Here’s a list of players that will be at the camp and their positions:

Defense: Keaton Ellerby, Dmitry Kulikov, Colby Robak, Jason Garrison, Adam Comrie, Michael Caruso

Right Wing: Michal Repik, Brady Calla, James DeLory, Evgeny Dadonov

Left Wing: Garrett Wilson, Kenndal McArdle, Mike Duco, Andrew Sweetland

Center: Shawn Matthias, David Brine, A.J. Jenks, Scott Timmins

Goalie: Tyler Plante, Alexander Salak

A few players not on the rookie [...]Read More

Emmerson, Dadonov, and other AHL News

September 3, 2009 - By

The Amerks are expected to release their training camp roster within a week, so until that happens we’re short on Amerks news but plenty of news from other places.

** Evgeni or Evgeny (depending on the day of the week it seems) Dadonov has officially signed his entry level contract with the Florida Panthers and it was accepted by the NHL.  He hasn’t played a game yet for the organization but he’s been in the news more than anyone else.

** Riley Emmerson signed a contract with the Springfield Falcons, affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers.  He improved throughout last season and earned plenty of ice time for an enforcer.  He never backed down from a challenge and always put up a good fight.  There’s pleny of videos of Emmersons fights in the video section of this site.  The Oilers signed Steve MacIntrye last season off of waivers from the Panthers/Amerks and this season they’ve taken someone else.  The Amerks had not shown any interest in Emmerson.

** 29 Teams in 29 Days is a series that Chris Rahn (a writer for Inside Hockey) just started over on his site about American Hockey League news.  He has [...]Read More