This is an interesting look at how the AHL season is going to look this year in terms of divisions. Gone are The Whale which are replaced by the Hartford Wolf Pack and the brand new Utica Comets will make their debut. The AHL is constantly changing to adapt to the NHL. Give this a look through folks, its a good read.
The American Hockey League is a place of change on a season by season basis.
From testing new rules and regulations to be possibly used in NHL, to players moving up, down and around.
Heading into the 2013/2014 season we have yet more league re-alignment, saying goodbye to some old friends and welcoming some new teams to the AHL.
In the Eastern Conference there is only one change to note and that is a name change. Three years after re-branding themselves as the Connecticut Whale, the New York Rangers affiliate will be known once more as the Hartford Wolf Pack, which had been their name since 1997.
It’s the Western Conference where we have significant changes and re-alignment.
The South Division experiment didn’t last long and we are back to the old West Division.
The Abbotsford Heat, formerly in the North will make the move across…
Ahhhh 1970’s hockey. A time when pretty much everything was allowed and for good reason. Even though I didn’t live through it, the game was so much better back then. Alas, times have changed and while I don’t disagree with the safety of players, there’s one thing that should always remain…..hockey fights.
John “Moose” Wensink was from Maxville, Ontario and one arguably one of the meanest and craziest fighters of the time. Along with Stan Jonathan and Terry O’Reilly, you did not want to mess with the Bruins.
Apparently the Minnesota North Stars weren’t smart enough for that. Watch Wensink go crazy on Alex Pirus then challenge the entire Minnesota bench before the ensuing brawl.
Jon “Nasty” Mirasty is one player you’d rather have on your team then to be playing against him. In his 10 year professional career which has seen him play all over the globe, he has racked up a total of 2571 penalty minutes.
Case in point: He’s not one to be messed with.
Jon Mirasty is a native of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan and got his start in the WHL. He turned pro in 2003 with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL and the legend was born. I was intrigued by his style and his brief foray into the MMA world.
March Hockey: You’ve played in numerous leagues but the one I’m most intrigued by is the KHL. How does the game over in Russia compare to that of North America?? Different atmosphere??
Jon Mirasty:Russia was a great experience. The game is a lot different. You play on a bigger ice surface which opens things up. On the physical aspect, guys there shy away from the rough stuff. Instead of booing, fans whistle. You don’t know if they are cheering for you or against you. It was very hard for me because I love to fight, and there I’d get into only 4 or 5 fights a season. All in all, it was a great time!
MH: I’ll ask right off the bat too, who’s the toughest guy you’ve ever fought?
JM:The toughest guy I ever fought is a pretty hard question to ask. I’ve fought so many guys that were very tough in different ways. Memorable guys that stand out to me would be guys like Steve MacIntyre, Derek Boogard, Jeremy Yablonski. I have to admit, Steve Bosse hit pretty hard too! But like I said, all the guys I fought were pretty tough and I respect them for doing one of the harder jobs in the game.
MH: You’ve spent some time in the LNAH. How does that league compare to other ones you’ve played in? Do you think it’s changed since you’ve left?
JM: I had a great time playing in the LNAH. Obviously the skill level wasn’t on par with the KHL or AHL, but I feel that a lot of people under estimate the league. From what I remember, there were some very good players, along with some very tough men. I love old school hockey but sometimes the fights/brawls got a little carried away. It was a very exciting league where fans got a little bit of everything. I haven’t played there in over 6 years so things may have changed.
MH: Growing up as a kid, who was your biggest influence on your game and why?
JM: A lot of people helped me get to where I got, but the biggest influence would have been my dad, Gary.
MH: Any chance will see you in an MMA ring again?? What was that experience like??
JM:MMA was awesome. I have a lot of respect for those athletes. It is completely different than fighting on skates. I did not prepare properly and was not ready to compete. It takes a lot of devotion and time to train. With my new business adventures, I doubt I’ll have the time to ever attempt to compete again. I will train though.
MH: If you could play (or fight haha) against anyone, past or present, who would it be and why??
JM: I’ve had great battles against many guys and would look forward to doing it again against any one of them. Let my son put a few years on, and maybe I’ll try him.
Another sad day for hockey. 25 year old Montreal Canadiens prospect Blake Geoffrion has decided to retire from the game.
Geoffrion suffered depressed skull fracture on an insane hit by JP Cote during an AHL game against the Syracuse Crunch.
Geoffrion released this statement today to the media:
“After suffering an injury in November and taking time to recover and reflect, I have decided to step away from the game of hockey for the time being.I would like to thank [owner] Geoff Molson, [general manager] Marc Bergevin, the entire Montreal Canadiens organization as well as the Hamilton Bulldogs organization for everything they have done for me. They have been unwavering in their support, professionalism and kindness. I cannot thank them enough.”
Geoffrion played in 55 games with the Montreal Canadiens.
Does this name take you back? It should. Anatoli Semenov was a powerhouse in the 80’s over in Russia suiting up for Moscow Dynamo and playing second fiddle to the KLM line. By 1989 however, he was headed overseas and his career went downhill fast.
Drafted 120th overall by the Edmonton Oilers, Semenov spent 11 years in the NHL and I bet you wouldn’t even have noticed if I had not brought up his name. His career took him to the aforementioned Oilers, Anaheim, Philadelphia, Vancouver, Tampa Bay, and Buffalo. In 11 years, he only played 362 games. You do the math.
In those 362 games, he only managed to rack up 194 points. Once again, IN 11 YEARS. One thing I’ll mention though and I remember it vividly, he was killer on the video game NHLPA 93. At least he has that.
The atmosphere at the Icehouse could not have been better. It front of a crowd of 900, the Melbourne Ice sailed to victory in one of the more intense games of the season.
The Ice Bears were the ones to get on the board first as Jan Koubek netted a powerplay goal followed by another quick one to grab a lead against the hometown team. Chris Frank had other ideas though as he cut the lead in half with .06 seconds to go in the first period.
Frank tallied another in the second along with Jason Baclig and Michael Schlamp to put them in the lead. It was in the third period though where things got rough. 67 minutes in penalties were handed out to both sides but the Melbourne Ice capitalized on being the last penalized team. All in all, the Ice came away winners with a final score of 7-3.
Melbourne’s next game is July 20th when they travel to Canberra to take on the Knights. Check out some of the highlights from this past game below.
The Botany Swarm pulled off a shocker Sunday afternoon as they toppled off first place leaders Dunedin Thunder in a thriller at ParadIce arena.
Coming off of an overtime loss to the Thunder the previous day, the Swarm were bound and determined to knock them off their feet. Jumping off of the momentum of the extra overtime point, from the first period on the Swarm kept the “Hive” on their feet and their heads in the game. Two goals coming from Mickey Rhodes brought them into the second period.
It was a game of doubles after that. Doubling the first period’s score were KC Ball and Evan MackIntosh. By the time the third period rolled around the game had ended at 8-1.
Got to hand it to Dunedin though as they stuck through it to the very end as a hard fought battle played out. Dunedin still sits a top of the standings as they are now tied with the Canterbury Red Devils.
Botany’s next home game is July 27th and 28th when the Red Devils come to town. Dunedin will square off with the Southern Stampede July 26th and 27th in Queenstown.
The Toa Kauhanga Riri Tio Trophy is staying in Canterbury. The Red Devils put on two powerhouse performances to retain the crown and left the West Auckland Admirals alone in the dust.
Saturday afternoon’s match up seen both teams meetup after a bye week and time off. Fresh off the injured reserve from a minor concussion, Terry Watt came off the bench and bagged a hat trick showing he was still in fine form. The Red Devils doubled that lead with goals from Martin Lee, Jamie Lawrence and Brett Spiers finishing with a 6-2 win. Spiers came out with a two point night as he added an assist. Rookie goaltender Daniel Lee was stellar in net proving himself early and stopping 18 shots.
Sunday afternoon’s game of defending the TKRT Trophy proved to be more of a walk in the park for the Red Devils. With the final score at 12-2, Canterbury stepped out of the gate in that first period with both gears burning. Goals came from every line and proved to be too much for the Admirals. Longtime goaltender Justin Findlay made his impressive first start of the season, keeping the Red Devils in tight.
The Canterbury Red Devils are now tied for first with the Dunedin Thunder as Dunedin split their weekend series with the Botany Swarm. Catch the Red Devils on July 27th and 28th down at the ParadIce arena as they face the Swarm.
Doesn’t this mask bring back memories? For some reason it makes me think of the old school Leafs and Felix Potvin. Maybe because it’s a bit similar in style.
It’s just plain enough to make every stand and pop out. Scrivens actually wanted to go old school in this 2012 mask and Gunnarsson gave him just that. The way the main Leaf morphs into larger ones around the top of the head give it the old school look. I actually am quite fond of this little to no artwork on it. It makes the viewer focus right in on the main point; the Maple Leaf. Sadly, we will never see this mask again.
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