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Posts tagged 'Trevor Gillies'

Posts Tagged ‘Trevor Gillies’

Tuesday Morning Practice and Other News

November 10, 2009 - By

It’s game day in Rochester and the Amerks are on the ice for their morning skate getting warmed up.  It’s an exciting day for one big reason, “the record.”  That’s something that matters to just about everyone but the players and coaches.  That’s something you can believe.

Until it’s been mentioned to the team about the record for longest winning streak they had no idea.  It’s one game at a time.  They’re not satisfied until the game is over and they’ve won.  At that point it’s time to correct mistakes that were made and move on to the next game.  It’s an exciting time to be an Amerks fan.

Tyler Plante finished practice today but will likely sit out tonights game.  Chris Beckford-Tseu will likely be the backup on the bench again.

Alexander Salak has been consistent and is ranked 6th in the AHL of all goaltenders.  I’m holding off on saying he’s been on a “hot streak” because even though he is, the more accurate description I think is consistent.  He’s become a hot topic in the world of goaltenders with his unique style.

The only player not on the ice was Shawn Matthias is [...]Read More

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Amerks Release Bonneau; Limited Roster Spots

October 8, 2009 - By

The Amerks announced on Wednesday that they released forward Jimmy Bonneau from his PTO contract after only one regular season game.  It’s probably safe to assume that management was unhappy with his performance during the home opener against the Lake Erie Monsters.

There were a number of players who did not perform well during that game but Bonneau must not have been the “enforcer” the team was looking for.

The surprising part about Bonneau being released is that the team had started training camp with three experienced enforcers and now they’re down to none.

I could be the jinx in this situation.  I wrote an article about Mike Sgroi, he was released.  Last week I was about to post one about Trevor Gillies and then he signed with Bridgeport.  This week I was going to post something about Bonneau and now he’s gone.

Ted Nolan had talked over the summer about creating a “safe working environment,” but as of right now it seems far from it.  I put in a call to Ted Nolan to get more information about why and what they’re looking for but as of writing this have not received a call back.  [...]Read More

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Trevor Gillies Signs with Bridgeport

October 2, 2009 - By

The Amerks were hit with a surprise left this afternoon when they learned that Trevor Gillies had signed with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  As of this morning they said they were negotiating with Gillies and thought things were going well.  I guess Gillies didn’t see it that way.

Trevor Gillies exchanging words with Kevin Harvey of the Syracuse Crunch

The team had hoped to have a real heavyweight heading into opening night and for the second season in a row that hope has come crashing down at the last minute.  Last year Steve MacIntyre was claimed off of waivers by the Edmonton Oilers just before the deadline.

Jimmy Bonneau was signed to a PTO contract on Friday morning so the team will have someone in the lineup that can patrol the ice and fight.  James DeLory is still with the team as well and he’s hoping to get the chance to prove himself.

It’d be interesting if they called Mike Sgroi back in to give him another look.

Is this disappointing?  Yes.  But it’s not as if the Amerks don’t have any muscle on the team.  Jimmy Bonneau may not be a heavyweight fighter but [...]Read More

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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

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Amerks vs Crunch 09-29-2009 Pictures

October 1, 2009 - By
Victor Oreskovich during the Amerks vs Crunch game on 9/29/2009

Victor Oreskovich during the Amerks vs Crunch game on 9/29/2009

Here’s my pics from the Amerks vs Crunch game on 9/29/2009 in Syracuse.

The Amerks won 4-2 (game recap)

I don’t consider myself a professional photographer at all and chances are you may have a better camera than me.  After two seasons of taking thousands of pictures I’m finally getting around to uploading the decent ones.  Just about all of the pictures you see used on this site are my own.

You can view all of my pics at http://flickr.com/letsgoamerks, I’ve tried to start labelling a lot of them so if you’re looking for a specific player you can do a search.

Lastly, if anyone out there uses a Canon PowerShot S5 IS and can offer me any tips I’ll take them!  Here’s the pics:

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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

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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

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Amerks Trim 12 Players from the Roster

September 28, 2009 - By

With the official closing of training camp after practice on Tuesday morning the Amerks trimmed 12 players on Monday from a roster that started with over 40 players.  The team will probably cut more players on Wednesday after the final preseason game in Syracuse against the Crunch.

Mike Sgroi was one player released from the team that I had hoped would stick around but knew inside he didn’t really stand a chance once Trevor Gillies and Jimmy Bonneau were invited to camp.  Given the real lack of ice time at Sunday nights game it was clear he would be cut.

Here’s the rest of the players released from tryouts with the team:

Mike Sgroi, Stephane Goulet, Les Reaney, Tom Harrison, Nathan O’Nabigon, Tyrel Lucas, Scott Bartlett, Josh McQuade; defensemen Dwayne Zinger, Ryan Stokes, Travis Gawryletz; and goaltender Daryl Borden.

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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

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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

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Day #2 at Amerks Training Camp

September 25, 2009 - By

The Amerks just wrapped up day two of training camp with another scrimmage at ESL Centre.  The Red team won the game with a flurry of goals in the second half against a struggling Ryan Mior.

Chris Beckford-Tseu looked great in goal during the first half of the scrimmage.  The fans remember last year but to the coaches and players it’s a new year and a new opportunity to win a job.  It’s pretty much guaranteed that Alexander Salak will join the Amerks with Plante or Beckford-Tseu being sent to the ECHL.  The job of second goaltender at this point is Plante’s to loes.

Jordan Henry could have a breakout season.  He progressed well last season and looks great on the ice.. skating, passing, and shooting.  If he can stay out of the penalty box he’ll be a great defender.

Keaton Ellerby, Michael Caruso, and Peter Aston were given the day off today.  They deserve the rest after a crazy travel schedule with the Panthers.

Graham Mink was also given the day off today.

Mixed in with a bunch of camp invites it was easy to pick out Mike York and Jamie Johnson.

In a number [...]Read More

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Amerks Coach Benoit Groulx Answers a Few Questions

September 25, 2009 - By

Benoit Groulx was off the ice at the first day of training camp to observe the players taking part in the first scrimmage.  He was there to observe and see what players had to offer.  He was observing with Jack Birch, Jody Gage, and Ted Nolan.  How’s that for a jury deciding your future?  Players have a very short period of time to show what they can offer to a team with a limited number of available roster spots.

Here’s a few questions I asked Benoit after practice on Thursday morning.

Scrimmage instead of a typical practice?

– We already have a good idea of what our lines are going to be.  This weekend it’s important for many of them to show us what they can bring to this team.  Training camp is about knowing them (the players) better, many guys here we didn’t know before this morning.  The first two games, especially Saturday, it’s going to be an important game for guys to prove themselves.  It’ll be the team we don’t know too much of.

What’s different about this year?  What was learned from last year?

– It’s not about what we have learned from last year, it’s about [...]Read More

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