BOISE, Idaho - The Idaho Steelheads Community Foundation kicked off the fifth annual Pepsi Jersey Auction benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) last week raising $14,340 for the non-profit organization.
The team wore one-of-a-kind Tenth Anniversary jerseys during the three-game series against the Phoenix Roadrunners. Fans had the opportunity to bid on their favorite players' jerseys, which started at $150. Both Scott Burt's and Marty Flichel's jerseys were bought outright for $1,500, and seven jerseys sold for $500 or more including Lance Galbraith's, Jeremy Yablonski's, Darrell Hay's, Kyle Peto's, Travis Wight's, D'Arcy McConvey's, and Colin Peter's.
The winning bidders were awarded their game-worn jerseys immediately following Saturday's game and were also given the opportunity to pose for a photo with the player.
"The Muscular Dystrophy Association is very grateful to Nagel Beverages (Pepsi), the Idaho Steelheads and everybody who participated in the event for their continued support and generosity throughout the year, said Jennifer Damiano, MDA's District Director. "It is because of these great sponsorships that we are able to provide clinics, support groups, assistance with the purchase of wheel chairs, leg braces, communication devices, and our MDA Summer Camp in McCall.
In five years, the Steelheads/Pepsi Jersey Auction has raised $52,465.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association of Idaho serves over 450 adults and children with neuromuscular diseases including ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). MDA works in this community to combat 43 neuromuscular diseases through basic and applied scientific investigation, local comprehensive programs of medical services and clinical care the Idaho Elks Center, a local children's summer camp in McCall, and widespread professional and public health education. As MDA does not receive any government or United Way funding, these critical services are financed through a variety of fundraising events attended by private and corporate donors. All funds raised in Idaho, stays in Idaho to serve families living with neuromuscular disease right here in your community.
Houle Becomes 310th Player To Play In NHL After ECHL
PRINCETON, N.J. - Former Trenton Titans goaltender Martin Houle made his National Hockey League debut on Wednesday with the Philadelphia Flyers, stopping two shots while playing 2:12 in the second period in relief of Antero Niittymaki, in an 8-4 loss at Pittsburgh.
Houle becomes the 310th player overall and the seventh this season to play in the NHL after playing in the ECHL. He is the fifth former ECHL goaltender to play his first NHL game this season, joining former Reading goaltender Barry Brust (Los Angeles on Nov. 30), former Toledo goaltender Joey MacDonald (Detroit on Oct. 19), former ECHL All-Star goaltender Mike Smith (Dallas on Oct. 21) and former Augusta goaltender Mike Wall (Anaheim on Nov. 26). The other two players to make their NHL debut are former Columbia right wing Jesse Schultz (Vancouver on Nov. 28) and former Florida center Drew Larman (Florida on Nov. 13).
Houle had dressed as the Flyers backup goaltender for last six games after being recalled on Dec. 4 from the American Hockey League where he is 5-4-0 with a goals-against average of 3.67 and a save percentage of .893 in 10 games with the Philadelphia Phantoms.
Selected in the eighth round (232nd overall) by the Flyers in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, the 21-year-old was 4-3-0 with a shutout, a goals-against average of 2.10 and a save percentage of .935 in seven games for Trenton as a rookie in 2005-06. He was named Rookie of the Year with the Phantoms in 2005-06 after finishing 18-18-1 with two shutouts, a goals-against average of 2.54 and a save percentage of .914 in 40 games.
The Premier 'AA' Hockey League, the ECHL has affiliations with 25 of the 30 teams in the National Hockey League in 2006-07, marking the 10th consecutive season that the league has had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. There were a record 47 former ECHL players who made their NHL debut in 2005-06, including five goaltenders who played a game in both leagues. Since 2000-01 there have been 164 players who have played in the NHL after the ECHL and in 2005-06 there were 112 former ECHL players who played in the NHL and all 30 teams had a former ECHL player take the ice for at least one game.
There are two NHL head coaches (Peter Laviolette and Jim Playfair) and nine NHL assistant coaches who have an ECHL background. The ECHL was represented for the sixth consecutive year on the Stanley Cup champion in 2006 by Laviolette, who is the first ECHL coach to hoist the coveted trophy, Chad LaRose, Andrew Hutchinson and assistant athletic trainer Chris Stewart.
ECHL
The league officially changed its name to ECHL on May 19, 2003.
The ECHL has affiliations with 24 of the 27 teams in the American Hockey League in 2006-07 and for the past 17 years there has been an ECHL player on the Calder Cup champion. The ECHL has had more players called up to the AHL than all other professional leagues combined each of the past four seasons with 1,646 call ups involving almost 1,000 players.
The ECHL raised its average attendance for the third straight year in 2005-06 drawing 3,934,794 for 900 games which is an average of 4,372 per game, an increase of more than nine percent from 2004-05 and the largest per-game average since 1999-2000. Six teams surpassed 200,000 and nine teams averaged 5,000 per game for the first time since 1999-2000 as the league welcomed 40 sellout crowds and 13 of the 22 returning teams raised their average attendance from a year ago.
The Idaho Steelheads and the City of Boise will host the 15th Annual ECHL All-Star Game presented by Rbk Hockey on Jan. 17 and the 10th Annual ECHL All-Star Skills Competition presented by Rbk Hockey on Jan. 16 at Qwest Arena.
In 2005-06 the ECHL and its member teams contributed more than $2.3 million for charity and relief funds, including those benefiting victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, while also making thousands of appearances by players, coaches, team personnel and mascots at schools, hospitals, libraries and charity functions.
Bakersfield, Calif - The Bakersfield Condors Professional Hockey Club is proud to announce Jamie Hodson has been awarded ECHL Goaltender of the Week Honors for Dec. 4-10.
The 26-year-old, Lenore, MAN native was 2-0-0 with a goals-against average of 2.00 and a save percentage of .938 as the Condors went 2-1-0 on a three-game east coast road swing. Hodson made 38 saves in a 4-2 win at North Division leader Trenton on Dec. 8 and had 22 saves in a 3-2 win at Johnstown on Dec. 10.
"I'm proud to accept this award. I couldn't have done it without my teammates," said Hodson. "I've been very fortunate this season and am just trying to give the guys a chance to win every night I'm on the ice."
He is 4-0-0 with a goals-against average of 2.00 and a save percentage of .933 in his last four starts and 6-0-1 with a goals-against average of 2.26 and a save percentage of .928 in his last seven starts.
Hodson is tied for second in the ECHL with 10 wins and is 10-2-2 with a goals-against average of 2.91 and a save percentage of .914 in 14 games for the Condors.
"He's very deserving and has been working hard," said Condors Head Coach, Marty Raymond. "He's been improving everyday. He's probably one of our hardest working players in practice."
Selected in the third round (69th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Hodson has played four previous seasons in the ECHL with Greensboro, South Carolina and Fresno and is 74-36-9 with three shutouts, a goals-against average of 2.85 and a save percentage of .921 in 126 career regular season games while also playing parts of three seasons in the American Hockey League for the St. John's Maple Leafs.
Bakersfield returns to The Nest Saturday, Dec. 16 when the Victoria Salmon Kings come to town for a special noon start. Huge Condors fan Diego, Dora the Explorer's cousin from the Go Diego Go Show, is visiting Condorstown and will be available for pictures, courtesy of La Preciosa 105.3, Bright House Networks and Rio Bravo Country Club. All fans in attendance will receive a Condors Holiday Poster featuring forwards Alexandre Bolduc, Rane Carnegie, Todd Griffith, Josh Liebenow and defensemen Tyler Scott and Steve Rodberg.
You can catch all Condors games live on KGEO Hot Talk AM1230 with Jake Stevens calling all the action. Saturday's game against Victoria can also be seen live on Bright House Networks (cable channel 21). Most games are also available to view courtesy of B2 Networks. Just click the "Watch the Game Live" link on the Condors home page. Live streaming for all Condors games is also available via their web site, Official Website of the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL.
Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324-PUCK (7825).
Condors Hodson Named Rbk Hockey ECHL Goaltender Of The Week
PRINCETON, N.J. - Jamie Hodson of the Bakersfield Condors is the Rbk Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for Dec. 4-10.
The 26-year-old was 2-0-0 with a goals-against average of 2.00 and a save percentage of .938 as the Condors went 2-1-0 on a three-game east coast road swing. Hodson made 38 saves in a 4-2 win at North Division leader Trenton on Dec. 8 and had 22 saves in a 3-2 win at Johnstown on Dec. 10.
He is 4-0-0 with a goals-against average of 2.00 and a save percentage of .933 in his last four starts and 6-0-1 with a goals-against average of 2.26 and a save percentage of .928 in his last seven starts.
He is tied for second in the ECHL with 10 wins and is 10-2-2 with a goals-against average of 2.91 and a save percentage of .914 in 14 games for the Condors.
Selected in the third round (69th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Hodson has played four previous seasons in the ECHL with Greensboro, South Carolina and Fresno and is 74-36-9 with three shutouts, a goals-against average of 2.85 and a save percentage of .921 in 126 career regular season games while also playing parts of three seasons in the American Hockey League for the St. John's Maple Leafs.
Runners Up: Derek Gustafson, Alaska (2-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .962 save pct.) and Julien Ellis, Victoria (2-0-0, 1.50 GAA, .947 save pct.).
Also Nominated: Dave McKee (Augusta), Alex Westlund (Charlotte), Dave Caruso (Gwinnett), Morgan Cey (Johnstown), Mike McKenna (Las Vegas), Mike Ayers (Pensacola), Mike Morrison (Phoenix), Jeff Pietrasiak (Reading), Davis Parley (South Carolina), Devan Dubnyk (Stockton), Dominic Vicari (Toledo) and Gregg Naumenko (Trenton).
Royals Hogeboom Named In Glas Co ECHL Player Of The Week
PRINCETON, N.J. - Reading Royals right wing Greg Hogeboom is the In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week for Dec. 4-10, 2006.
After scoring a goal and registering an assist in a 3-2 loss to Cincinnati on Dec. 6, the 24-year-old had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win against the Cyclones on Dec. 8 and scored a goal in a 3-2 overtime win against Johnstown on Dec. 9. He ended the week with a career-high four assists and a career-best four points in a 7-4 win against Trenton that moved the Royals into second place in the North Division.
Selected in the fifth round (152nd overall) by Los Angeles in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and under NHL contract to the Kings, the 24-year-old leads the Royals with 20 assists, 32 points and a plus-minus rating of +8. He is tied for the ECHL lead with four shorthand goals and four shorthand points and is tied for fifth in scoring and tied for sixth in assists. He has also played in the American Hockey League where he has one assist and two penalty minutes in three games for Manchester.
The 6-foot and 190-pound Hogeboom opened the 2005-06 season with the Royals and had 27 points (9g-18a) in 19 games before being recalled to Manchester where he had 19 points (9g-10a) in 42 regular season games and also played in one playoff game. He had one goal and 10 penalty minutes in 14 games with Manchester in 2004-05, but missed most of the season due to a wrist injury, and one assist in three games after signing with the Monarchs after completing his season at Miami University (Ohio) in 2003-04.
On behalf of Greg Hogeboom, a case of pucks will be donated to a Reading area youth hockey organization by In Glas Co, the exclusive puck supplier for the ECHL. Since beginning its sponsorship of the award in 2000-01, In Glas Co has donated more than 15,000 pucks to youth hockey organizations in ECHL cities.
Runners Up: Sean Venedam, Bakersfield (3 gp, 4g, 1a, 5 pts), Jamie Tardif, Toledo (3 gp, 3g, 2a, 5 pts) and Mike Pandolfo, Trenton (3 gp, 3g, 6a, 9 pts).
Also Nominated: Stephen Wood (Alaska), Shane Hynes (Augusta), Mark Lee (Charlotte), Jason Deitsch (Cincinnati), Brent McDonald (Florida), Scott Mifsud (Gwinnett), Randy Rowe (Johnstown), Chris Neiszner (Las Vegas), Brad Bonello (Long Beach), Mike Wirll (Pensacola), Justin Aikins (Phoenix), Stephen Werner (South Carolina), Troy Bodie (Stockton) and Jordan Krestanovich (Victoria).
Wheeling Nailers Power Hour Now Available on the Internet
WHEELING,WV - The Wheeling Nailers weekly radio show, "The Nailers Power Hour" is now
available on the worldwide web by logging onto wheelingnailers.com. With streaming provide by Stratuswave Communications you can now enjoy the show anywhere you have an internet connection.
Join Brendan Burke and Bo Cheesman each Thursday night live from Generations Pub in Wheeling as they interview Coach Glenn Patrick and your favorite Nailers Players.
This weeks guest will be Head Coach Glenn Patrick and Nailers goaltender Andy Franck.
The Nailers return to home ice Friday night as they host the Reading Royals. To order your tickets call 304-234-4625 or online at Wheeling Nailers Hockey.
Cincinnati, Ohio (December 14, 2006) - The Cincinnati Cyclones defeated the Johnstown Chiefs by a score of 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday evening at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.
After a scoreless first period where Johnstown killed off four Cyclones power plays and Cincinnati outshot the Chiefs by a margin of 21-4, Sam Ftorek ripped a one-timer past Chiefs goaltender Morgan Cey at the 1:45 mark of the second period. Eric Przepiorka took a pass along the left-side boards from Maxime Boisclair and fired it through the legs of Desjardins to even the score at one-apiece. Boisclair's assist extended his point-scoring streak to 12 games.
With the Chiefs on the power play, P.J. Atherton scored to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead at 16:09. Jean Desrochers picked up an assist on the goal, notching a point in his first game since being reassigned to Johnstown from Springfield of the American Hockey League. At 18:14 of the second period, Cincinnati's Jason Deitsch tipped a shot by Greg Stewart past Morgan Cey to even the score at two.
Morgan Cey carried the Chiefs through the third period and overtime, making 13 saves as the game went into a shootout.
Jean-Michel Daoust scored as the first shooter for Cincinnati. On Johnstown's fourth attempt, Andre Deveaux scored to keep the Chiefs alive, but Eric Przepiorka failed to score on Johnstown's fifth and final attempt as Cincinnati pulled out the shootout win.
The Chiefs return home on Saturday to face Cincinnati at 7:00 P.M. Good seats are still available and can be purchased at the War Memorial box office or by callin (814) 536-5156 or 1 (800) CHF-TIXX.
Blackhawks send goalie to Lynx, Jaeger traded to Long Beach
Augusta, GA - The Augusta Lynx announced today that the Chicago Blackhawks has assigned goaltender Mike Brodeur to the team, effective immediately. Subsequently the club traded goaltender Brett Jaeger to the Long Beach Ice Dogs in exchange for cash considerations.
The 23-year-old Brodeur was drafted in the seventh round, #211 overall, by the Blackhawks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-1, 171 lb. goaltender appeared in 24 games with the ECHL's Greenville Grrrowl last season, posting a 14-8-2 record, .916 save percentage, and a 2.58 goals against average.
Brodeur turned pro in 2004-05, splitting time with Greenville (19-15-1, 2.68, .927) and the American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals. The Calgary, Alberta native saw action in just part of one game that season for the Admirals, registering the loss in 38 minutes of play and allowing four goals on 11 shots.
Jaeger, who was acquired in the off-season from the Pensacola Ice Pilots in exchange for forward Dan Sullivan, had posted a 1-8-0 record with the Lynx this year after earning All-Star honors last year with the Fresno Falcons. Jaeger made 35 saves in a 3-2 win at Pensacola November 25, and carried a 4.24 GAA and .870 save percentage this season.
Augusta gets back to game action this weekend against the Florida Everblades on Friday, December 15th and the Charlotte Checkers come to town Saturday, December 16th on Teddy Bear Toss Night! Both games face off at 7:35 pm, with tickets on sale now through the Lynx office at (706) 724-4ICE, on line at Official Ticketmaster site. Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Arts, Theater, Family, Events, more, and at all TicketMaster locations. Seats are $11, $15, and $18, with discounts available for seniors, students, and military personnel.
Augusta, GA - Continuing to be active on the transaction front, the Augusta Lynx today announced they have traded defenseman Derrick Byfuglien to the Pensacola Ice Pilots for future considerations while activating several players for tonight's game against the Florida Everblades.
In preparation for tonight's contest, Augusta has activated goaltender Dave McKee, defenseman Jason Platt, and forward Aaron Slattengren from the injure reserve list. McKee will share netminding duties with newly-assigned Mike Brodeur, who is under contract to the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.
Byfuglien appeared in 23 games while with Augusta with one goal and eight points, a -5 rating, and 27 minutes in penalties. Originally a fourth-round pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, the 25-year-old Roseau, Minn. native had not played a pro game since 2003-04 before returning to the ice this season.
The Lynx and the Everblades clash for the first time this season tonight at 7:35 pm at the James Brown Arena. Tickets are $11, $15, and $18 and are on sale now through the Lynx office at (706) 724-4ICE, via all TicketMaster locations, and on line at Official Ticketmaster site. Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Arts, Theater, Family, Events, more. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and military personnel with valid ID. Radio coverage begins one half-hour before faceoff on your Home for Lynx Hockey, NEWSTALKSPORTS 1630.
ECHL news 12/15
ECHL news 12/15
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