Posts Tagged ‘Jimmy Bonneau’

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

Mike Sgroi is Passionate about Hockey and Fighting

September 27, 2009 - By

When the name Mike Sgroi is brought up in the world of hockey fighters you’ll get responses ranging from a great heavyweight fighter that can skate to someone who is a lunatic, a cancer in the locker room, and a whack job with a highly inflated ego.

Some of things may have been true years ago but not so anymore.

Sgroi is out to prove everyone wrong and earn a roster spot on a team that’s in need of a heavyweight fighter.  The Amerks aren’t in need of just a heavyweight, but a heavyweight that can also play hockey.  Playing hockey is the focus of the Amerks training camp and something Sgroi did a decent job of on the opening day of camp.

Amerks head coach Benoit Groulx wants more than just a heavyweight, “We want a guy that can not only be an enforcer on the ice but a guy that can bring toughness and a guy that can skate.”

Mike understands what the team is looking for and said, “That’s the one thing that separates me a little bit.  I’ve always liked to play.  I’ve always been a half decent hockey player as well as a fighter.  [...]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: