CHL Weekly Update Including Team Rosters, Retirements and More

Talk about a busy week around the CHL and that has certainly been the case the past week. Lots of players re-signing but also lots of CHL players headed elsewhere. Here is a summary of what has happened thus far in the off season, by the numbers:

24 - The number of players that have moved from the CHL to Europe with more to come.

9 - Of the 24 players moving to Europe, nine are headed to Great Britain and the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) with the latest being Trevor Hendrikx of the Allen Americans who will play for the Cardiff Devils and Mike Forney (Arizona Sundogs) who will play for the Sheffield Steelers.

2 - The number of players signed thus far in the CHL who played in Europe last year. Nikita Kashirsky (Wichita) and Mike Bayrack (Denver).

4 - Number of players announced yesterday by the Tulsa Oilers (Pleskach, Larke, Leblond, Tallent)

49 - The number of players signed by CHL teams for 2014-2015.

41- The number of players signed by CHL teams at this time one year ago (see "Did You Know") below for details.

124 - The approximate number of players that still need to be signed by CHL teams to fill out rosters.

7 - Number of CHL goalies from last season that have signed elsewhere (6 to Europe & 1 to ECHL)

1 - Number of goalies signed thus far in the CHL. (John Griggs - Denver) 


OTHER THOUGHTS:

- Talk about some legends of the CHL and minor pro hockey retiring and this year will end up being significant.
 Scott Wray - Fourth all time in games played in the CHL with 739 games. Also played in 92 playoff games.
 Daniel Tetrault - Twelfth all time in games played in the CHL with 583 games. Also played in 68 playoff games.
Todd Robinson - Todd retired with 973 assists which ranks him fourth all time in minor pro hockey dating back to the 1940's.

Add to this list many other great players around the CHL that you hear are retiring like John Snowden, Konrad Reeder, Matt Robinson, Ross Rouleau, Matt Stephenson, and Colt King and it is a big loss for the CHL.

- Speaking of John Snowden, I had a chance to exchange messages with him yesterday as he reached out to me to let me know he was retiring and moving on to the next phase of his life. He wanted to make sure all of his Allen fans knew how much he and Janelle appreciated how kind everyone was to their family during the short stay with the Americans. For those that don't know John, he is an outstanding golfer (scratch) and while in Allen worked at the prestigious  Dallas National Golf Club. As he said to me when I interviewed him, "I am probably a better golfer than I am a hockey player." John is going to pursue a career in the golf industry. The Snowden's will be moving to Orlando, Florida and John will attend the Golf Academy of America where he will obtain a degree in Golf Complex Operations and Management and also obtain his PGA teaching card. Nothing like turning a passion into a career for a second time!
Best of luck to John, Janelle, Aiden, & Keegan!

- High expectations for the CHL meeting that takes place next week in Arizona. Most of the Allen contingent will be leaving Sunday night. As mentioned previously, coach Steve Martinson will be attending the meeting for the first time. Minor League Hockey Report will have reporters at the meeting and will be providing updates including a live podcast Tuesday at 7:00 pm Central time. All the details and up to date information will be available at minorleaguehockeyreport.com.

- The final 2014-2015 schedule was supposed to be out by now but assume it will be after the meeting next week before it is made public.

- Saw some traffic on social media talking about what teams will be added to the CHL for the upcoming season. The facts are there will not be any teams added this year and the league will operate with only nine teams. While playoff issues will be part of the meeting next week (nothing is decided) the outcome is likely (not certain) that eight teams will make the playoffs, the early rounds will be best of five and there will be two referees in the finals.

- One of the more interesting discussions/votes at the meeting next week is whether to change the veteran rule. If the number of veterans is reduced from the current six (rumor is it might get reduced to four) it will have a big impact on team rosters.

- Six players from last year's Allen Americans championship team have signed elsewhere in the last ten days. Garrett Klotz (Indianapolis Fuel), Anthony Maiani (Rungsted, Denmark), Mike Berube (Nottingham, England), Kale Kerbashain (Evansville Iceman), Trevor Hendrikx (Cardiff, Wales) and Dallas Ehrhardt (Missouri Mavericks)



Here is an up to date list of player signings by team.

(7)Allen Americans: Kevin Young (D), Jamie Schaafsma (F), Tyler Ludwig (D), Jonathan Lessard (F), Darryl Bootland (F), Trevor Ludwig (D), Travis Ouellette (C)

(4)Arizona Sundogs: Kevin Baker (F), Michael Couch (D), Micheal Trebish (F), Alex Tuckerman (D)

(4)Brampton Beast: Calin Wild (C), Andrew Darrigo (D), Mike MacIsaac (F), Josh McQuade (F)

(6)Denver Cutthroats: Mike Bayrack (C), Kyle Fletcher (F), John Griggs (G), Garett Bembridge (F), JP Chabot (F), Steve Kaunisto D

(10)Missouri Mavericks: Andrew Courtney (F), John-Scott Dickson (F), Scott Langdon (D), T.J. Battani (F), Sebastien Thinel (F), Ben Power (F), Evan Vossen (F), David Pszenyczny (D), Collin Circelli (C), Dallas Ehrhardt (D)

(3)Quad City Mallards: Darren McMillan (D), Caylen Walls (D), Joey Holka (F)

(7)Rapid City Rush: Winston Day Chief (F), Justin Sawyer (D/F), Scott Brannon (F), Justin Faryna (F),  Sean Erickson (D), Brett Kostolansky (D), Jared Brown (F)

(6)Tulsa Oilers: Jake Obermeyer (D), Nathan Lutz (D), Adam Pleskach (F), Matt Larke (F), Chapen Leblond (F), Eric Tallent (D)

(2)Wichita Thunder:  Alex Bourret (F), Nikita Kashirsky (F)


DID YOU KNOW:  A year ago today here is how the players signed looked around the CHL. What a difference a year makes.
2013-14 CHL Off-Season Player Movement

---

Allen Americans

Transactions:
Tyler Ludwig (D) - re-signed
Trevor Ludwig (D) - re-signed
John Snowden (F) - signed
Phil Fox (F) -signed
Alex Lavoie (F) - signed
Garrett Clarke (D) - re-signed
Daniel Tetrault (D) - signed

---

Arizona Sundogs

Transactions:
Named Kevin Colley Head Coach
Jason Morgan (F) - re-signed
Kevin Baker (F) - re-signed
Henric Hoglund (F) - signed
Ryan Gaucher (D) - signed

---

Brampton Beast

Transactions:
Named Mark DeSantis Head Coach
Named Brent Hughes Assistant Coach
Brett Smith (F) - signed
Calin Wild (F) - signed
Jason Pitton (F) - signed

---

Denver Cutthroats

Transactions:
Sean Zimmerman (D) - re-signed
T.J. Fox (F) - signed
Troy Schwab (F) - re-signed
J.P. Chabot (F) - re-signed
Matt Glasser (F) - signed

---

Missouri Mavericks

Transactions:
John-Scott Dickson (F) - re-signed
David Pszenyczny (D) - re-signed
Sebastien Thinel (F) - re-signed
Andrew Courtney (F) - re-signed
Colt King (F) - re-signed
Evan Vossen (F) - re-signed

---

Quad City Mallards

Transactions:
Darren McMillan (D) - re-signed
Jeff Lee (F) - signed
Matt Boyd (F) - re-signed
Mike Grace (D) - signed

---

Rapid City Rush

Transactions:
Acquired rights to Gio Flamminio (D) from Tulsa in exchange for the rights to Dan Gendur (F) and Jordan Baker (F)
Konrad Reeder (F) - signed

---

St. Charles Chill

Transactions:
Named Jamie Rivers Head Coach
Named Sean Ferrell Assistant Coach
Jordan Fox (F) - signed
Kyle Kraemer (F) - signed
Tony DeHart (D) - signed

---

Tulsa Oilers

Transactions:
Acquired rights to Dan Gendur (F) and Jordan Baker (F) from Rapid City in exchange for the rights to Gio Flamminio (D)
Todd Robinson (F) - signed
Ben Gordon (F) - re-signed
Tomas Klempa (F) - signed
Drew Fisher (F) - re-signed
Shane Madolora (G) - re-signed

---

Wichita Thunder

Transactions:
Jon Booras (F) - signed
Jesse Dudas (D) - signed

---

Allen Americans Sign Forward Travis Ouellette - The Details

Travis Ouellette Signs With Allen

The Allen Americans have added second year professional, center Travis Ouellette, to their roster for the 2014-2015 season. Last year Ouellette spent time with the Arizona Sundogs, Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL) and the St. Charles Chill. He had a combined point total of 27 points (11 goals 16 assists) in 34 games.

Ouellette (Oh-LET), 25, had a four-year career at Division 1 Ferris State University. In 2012-13 he finished second on the team in scoring with 26 points (11g-15a) in 35 games as a senior. In his junior campaign (2011-2012), the Windsor, Ontario native helped lead Ferris State to the NCAA Frozen Four Championship game where they lost to Boston College 4-1. Travis had an assist on the Bulldog's lone goal in the championship game. For his college career, the 5’9″, 170 pound center played 147 games with 37 goals and 45 assists for 82 points. Last summer Ouellette played for the Adelaide Adrenaline in the Australian Ice Hockey League, scoring 13 goals and assisting on 11 for 24 points in just 12 games.

Travis comes from a hockey playing family. He is the youngest of four brothers. Two of his brothers (Britt & Chad) played college hockey at Davenport University (Grand Rapids, MI). Britt and Travis were teammates both in Australia and for a brief period with the St. Charles Chill last year. Britt has signed to play in the Federal League this year.

Ouellette's nickname is "Tav" and he enjoys golf and tennis. He was a marketing major at Ferris State.

Each year Steve Martinson finds a couple of young players that have not gotten a real chance to show what they can do who end up thriving in his system. Travis Ouellette could be one of those players this year. He is in the mold of Anthony Maiani and Alex Lavoie in both size and style of play. As he describes himself, “I consider myself a playmaking, two-way center, and I hope to produce offensively.” He should be fun to watch. For those of you on Twitter you can follow Travis at @Ouelly89.

Here is are the details courtesy of hockeydb:

Travis Ouellette

Forward -- shoots R
Born Feb 17 1989 -- Windsor, ONT
[25 yrs. ago]
Height 5.09 -- Weight 170

 

			Regular Season						Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008-09	Penticton Vees	BCHL	60	25	28	53	47		10	2	3	5	10
2009-10	Ferris State University	CCHA	34	7	4	11	52
2010-11	Ferris State University	CCHA	36	10	11	21	43
2011-12	Ferris State University	CCHA	42	9	15	24	47
2012-13	Ferris State University	CCHA	35	11	15	26	34
2013-14	Arizona Sundogs	CHL	10	3	8	11	6	-1	--	--	--	--	--
2013-14	St. Charles Chill	CHL	15	6	7	13	8	-2	--	--	--	--	--
2013-14	Greenville Road Warriors	ECHL	9	2	1	3	8	-1	--	--	--	--	--

DID YOU KNOW: In college Travis Ouellette played several games against Phil Fox, Greger Hanson and CJ Ludwig (brother of Tyler & Trevor) who played at rival Northern Michigan University.

Mike Berube Joins Bruce Graham - Signs With Nottingham Panthers

Congrats to Mike Berube who is headed to England to play with Bruce Graham for the Nottingham Panthers. Talk about an old picture of Mike in the press release below. I think it is from when he played for the Hartford Wolf  Pack in 2009-2010. Best of luck to Mike and Chantal on their new adventure in Europe. It will be a short summer for the Graham and Berube families as the Panther's first game takes place August 22nd.

GMB Panthers sign Canadian defenceman Berube

The GMB Panthers are pleased to announce that experienced defenceman Mike Berube has agreed terms
Panthers' head coach Corey Neilson said: "Mike is a 26 year old left handed defensive D who has five full years of professional hockey under his belt.
"He plays with an edge and sticks up for his team-mates when necessary. He had one year in the ECHL where he bumped up and down with the AHL before he made a home in Allen where he iced for four straight years.
"Last season he was their captain. Bruce Graham recommended him very highly. He’s a player who knows his role and we know he’ll make good simple puck decisions, play hard against other teams skilled players, block shots and kill penalties. He had 22 points last season in 66 games and has had a ton of extended playoff experience and has won back-to-back playoff championships."

Roster Update For Each CHL Team - The Vets & The Exodus

This week has been an active one around the CHL as rosters continue to build and players make decisions on where they will play in 2014-2015.

- The CHL goalie ranks continue to dwindle with Missouri's Shane Owen, who was the all CHL team goalie last season, signing with the Stockton Thunder (ECHL). Shane is the seventh goalie from the CHL that has decided to play elsewhere.

- Scott Hillman, former Missouri coach who is now the coach of a new ECHL franchise in Indianapolis is using his knowledge of the CHL to recruit players. He signed two CHL players this past week (Garrett Klotz from Allen & Anders Franson from Missouri) and there are more to come. Stay tuned.

- In the players moving on from the CHL category in addition to those mentioned above, Matt Williams (Brampton) signed in Poland, Jordan Mayer (Quad City) signed in England and Anthony Maiani (Allen) signed in Denmark.

- A proposal to reduce the number of veterans on a CHL roster from six to four is supposedly going to be voted on at the CHL meetings which starts a week from Monday (July 21). Wonder how the coaches are dealing with that possibility as they are signing players? If you look at the American's six signings thus far only Darryl Bootland is a veteran according to CHL current rules which is more than 300 professional games. Jamie Schaafsma and Kevin Young have way more than 300 professional games played but some of them are in European leagues that aren't counted. A small consolation for Trevor Ludwig and his season ending injury last year is he was at 299 professional games when injured so he is not considered a veteran for the upcoming season. Tyler Ludwig is at 269 professional games so he also is not a veteran. Allen has a very veteran group thus far though by the CHL rules only one (Bootland) is designated as a veteran. 

- Wichita's announced their first two signings for next season (Alex Bourret & Nikita Kashirsky) and they were certainly eye openers. Alex Bourret played with Wichita in 2011-2012 and scored 57 points  (20 goal & 37 Assists) in 43 games. Last year he signed with Allen but never reported and decided to stay home and play in the LNAH. If you want to read an interesting story about the LNAH check out the archives on the right for, "Penner To The LNAH - The Toughest League In The World" dated September 29, 2013.  Alex Bourret has an interesting background as I wrote last year when it appeared he was coming to Allen. Bourret is 27 years old, 5'10" 205 lbs. and shoots left. He was drafted in the first round (16th overall) of the 2005 NHL draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. He has 176 AHL games under his belt. His style of play could best be described as an agitator supreme. Bourret probably enjoys the verbal warfare part of hockey more than any other player. "I don't mind talking as it gets me going," Bourret said. "I think all the guys like it too. I don't fight much but I like to talk all game long." As proof of his agitator prowess Alex was voted "Most Annoying Player" in the 2012 CHL Best of The Best Awards. He also finished 3rd in the voting for the CHL MVP that year. He has the potential to be the best player in the CHL this year.
When he was drafted in 2005 here is what was said.
- Hockey's International Scouting Services proclaimed that "he is built like a tank, and hits like a truck." The Hockey News described him as "a skilled scoring machine."
- Bourret is a strong skater , who combines skill with physical play, and is a tireless worker. Beyond his offensive ability, the most dominant aspect of Bourret’s game is his physical play. He is more than willing to get his nose dirty, and stick up for his teammates.
From what I have read the story of Alex Bourret is one of underachievement as related to his potential. He was rated as high as 10th overall by some scouting services in the 2005 NHL draft and was selected 16th. Remember, the 2005 draft had NHL all stars Sidney Crosby (1st), Carey Price (5th), Anze Kopitar (11th), and Marc Stall (12th).  Whether it has been maturity, discipline, conditioning or injury his career has not lived up to the potential seen in him by others. “Maybe I was not mature enough,” Bourret said. “I was probably not in the best shape I could have been in and now maybe they’re scared to give me a chance. But I’m more mature now. I’d like to get another chance.”

The other Wichita signing of the week was Russian born forward Nikita Kashirsky who played in Scotland (EIHL) last year and was a player/assistant coach. It appears Kashirsky was signed as a player/assistant coach by Wichita though the press release was vague on this point in that Kashirsky mentioned it but the team did not. Probably a way to increase his salary.

Bottom line is Wichita signed two skilled offensive players who are very capable of averaging a point a game for the Thunder.

- Signings have picked up around the CHL this week. Allen and Rapid City have six players under contract and announced while Quad City still has not announced any player signings. The Missouri Mavericks are having an event today they call the "Mavericks Summer Games & Tailgate Party" and are expected to announce the signing of three players.  Here is the current list of player signings by team:

(7)Allen Americans: Kevin Young (D), Jamie Schaafsma (F), Tyler Ludwig (D), Jonathan Lessard (F), Darryl Bootland (F), Trevor Ludwig (D), Travis Ouellette (C)

(4)Arizona Sundogs: Kevin Baker (F), Michael Couch (D), Micheal Trebish (F), Alex Tuckerman (D)

(4)Brampton Beast: Calin Wild (C), Andrew Darrigo (D), Mike MacIsaac (F), Josh McQuade (F)

(6)Denver Cutthroats: Mike Bayrack (C), Kyle Fletcher (F), John Griggs (G), Garett Bembridge (F), JP Chabot (F), Steve Kaunisto D

(8)Missouri Mavericks: Andrew Courtney (F), John-Scott Dickson (F), Scott Langdon (D), T.J. Battani (F), Sebastien Thinel (F), Ben Power (F), Evan Vossen (F), David Pszenyczny (D)

(3)Quad City Mallards: Darren McMillan (D), Caylen Walls (D), Joey Holka (F)

(7)Rapid City Rush: Winston Day Chief (F), Justin Sawyer (D/F), Scott Brannon (F), Justin Faryna (F),  Sean Erickson (D), Brett Kostolansky (D), Jared Brown (F)

(6)Tulsa Oilers: Jake Obermeyer (D), Nathan Lutz (D), Adam Pleskach (F), Matt Larke (F), Chapen Leblond (F), Eric Tallent (D)

(2)Wichita Thunder:  Alex Bourret (F), Nikita Kashirsky (F)



DID YOU KNOW: By this time last year the Allen Americans had signed eight players to contracts. Here is the list from one year ago today.

No. Name	Pos.	HT	WT	Shoots	DOB	Hometown	Club 2012 2013
# 11 Phil Fox	RW	5"11	205	R	9/17/85	Stillwater, MN	Fort Worth Brahmas (CHL)
#27 Darryl Bootland	RW	6'2	200	R	11/2/81	Bradford, ONT	Allen Americans (CHL)
# 43 John Snowden	RW	6"1	210	R	1/12/82	Everett, WA	Fort Worth Brahmas
# 91 Alex Lavoie	C	5"10	170	R	11/17/92	Anjou, PQ	Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
# 3 Tyler Ludwig	D	6'1	205	R	5/24/85	Rhinelander, WI	Allen Americans (CHL)
# 7 Daniel Tetrault	D	6"0	205	R	9/4/79	Labroquerie, MAN	Peoria Rivermen (AHL)
# 24 Trevor Ludwig	D	6'1	210	L	5/24/85	Rhinelander, WI	Allen Americans (CHL)
# 51 Garrett Clarke	D	6'1"	210	L	11/3/92	Windsor, NS	Allen Americans (CHL)

Adam Pineault Retires

Just came across this article written by Chris Boyle  about Adam Pineault's retirement. He and Monique are class acts who were both very popular during their time in Allen. I had the pleasure of getting to know Adam and Monique when they were doing some fundraising events when Adam was playing in Allen. The most compelling story I have ever written was the player profile on Adam Pineault. You can find it in the blog archives (on the right) "Adam Pineault - Player Profile" dated January 11, 2013. He shared some great stories about his dad, getting drafted by the NHL (Bobby Orr was his agent), his first shift in the NHL against Detroit and his love story with Monique. Check it out as it is a good read as Adam transitions to his new career. Best of luck to Adam and Monique.

NSB hockey pro Pineault retires after eight seasons

New Smyrna Beach's Adam Pineault played for eight seasons in five different pro leagues, including three games in the NHL.
News-Journal/JIM TILLER

By Chris Boyle
chris.boyle@news-jrnl.com

Published: Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 2:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 10:11 p.m.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH — It wasn't long ago that Adam Pineault firmly believed he would play hockey into his 40s.

But, halfway through the 2013-14 season, his first as a member of the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies, he began having second thoughts.

During a Dec. 6 home game against the Alaska Aces, the New Smyrna Beach resident suffered a broken jaw and lost four teeth after taking a slap shot to his face.

“It's been a long career,” Pineault said. “You wake up every morning and it's tough to get out of bed, and you feel the symptoms from injuries over the years. I think that's what the major tipping point was.”

Pineault, 28, decided to retire from professional hockey after playing eight seasons in five different leagues — most notably the NHL. He played three games for the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team that drafted him in the second round (No. 46 overall) in 2004.

He also won championships with Pardubice HC in the Czech Republic and with the Allen Americans of the Central Hockey League.

Pineault's time in the NHL is something he is extremely proud of. He kept the scoresheet of his first game — a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on April 3, 2008 — and has it hanging on the wall in a personalized frame in his office.

The night before, he played for the Blue Jackets' affliate in Syracuse.

“I was stretching after the game with the guys and Coach (Ross Yates) called me in and just said, 'You're going up,' ” Pineault said. “I was like, 'Oh, awesome. Where are we playing? Where am I going to?'

“I don't ever think I've been that nervous. I didn't sleep that night. Usually, I take an hour (-long) pre-game nap. I was staring at the ceiling.”

The nerves did not go away until he completed his first shift.

“I thought I was going to have to get off the ice,” Pineault said. “I don't think I've ever had my heart pump that fast.”

Pineault spent most of his tenure with Columbus in the American Hockey League. He scored 38 goals and added 50 assists in 160 career games for the Syracuse Crunch.

At the start of the 2013 season, Pineault recommitted himself to getting back to the NHL. He signed with Utah, which had just aligned itself with the Anaheim Ducks.

This time around, though, he was the wily veteran on a team full of youngsters.

“He definitely made it about 10 times easier for me,” said defenseman Mike Folkes, who re-signed for his second pro season in Utah on June 30. “He kind of took me under his wing and helped show me the ropes a little bit. I just kind of learned the ways of the pro life and how to deal with things — being away from home, not playing or playing and all of the pressures of being a pro athlete.”

Pineault played 28 regular-season games for the Grizzlies, chipping in 11 points. While injured, the forward tried his hand at coaching the defensemen.

“It was nice actually to have a forward's perspective back there,” Folkes said. “Coming from him, he's such a skilled forward that you kind of thought what he might do if he were on the attack.”

Coaching is not part of Pineault's future plans, at least not right now. Instead, he said he will enter the world of pharmaceutical sales — a career choice largely driven by his wife Monique's battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

“It's touching when Adam has been supporting me for all these years, through all my medical problems,” Monique said. “He saw that overnight one surgery changed my life.”

Monique will undergo a second hip replacement surgery Thursday. As a byproduct of chemotherapy, she developed a condition known as avascular necrosis — the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply.

Adam will continue to undergo surgeries over the course of the next year and a half to fix the nearly 30 breaks in his jaw.

His aches and pains may persist over the years, but Pineault would gladly do it all over again if he had the chance.

“It's been a great experience,” he said. “Of course you always dream of being a first-line guy in the NHL, but sometimes things don't work out that way. When I look back, I played in almost every top league in the world. ... I worked as hard as I could, and not too many people can say they played a sport they love for work.”

News You Can Use - An Allen Americans & CHL Signing Update - 7/9/2014

Erik Adams with son Henrik

Want to start out this morning by adding my congratulations to Erik and Jennifer Adams on the birth of their second child yesterday.  Henrik Finn Adams was born yesterday at 7:59 am weighing 7lb 6oz and was 20 inches long. For those that don't know Erik he is a true utility guy that has done everything for the Allen Americans. He has had so many titles over the years it is hard to keep them straight. He started out as a player where he was a standout defenseman for the Americans from 2009-2011 which included time as captain of the team. After the 2010-2011 season he started working in the front office but was asked to come back and play which he did for 13 games that season.  His titles have included game operations, community relations, hockey operations, and player personnel just to name a few. Need some one to talk to your fan club call Erik, need some tickets for a charity event, call Erik, need something signed by a player call Erik, need help with practice because the coach is out of town, call Erik, need a player to attend a sponsor function, call Erik. Whether it is promotional events in the community, delivering teddy bears to hospitals, being President of the Allen Americans Youth Hockey Association, slingshoting fans between periods in human bowling ball, creating and editing highlight videos, teaching Hockey 101, coordinating Hockey in Heels, visiting schools or helping with practice Erik is always there to help in any way he can. Whether it is on the ice, behind the bench or in the front office Erik always gives everything he has got. There has got to something good in his future.



- Signings have picked up around the CHL this week. Allen and Rapid City now have six players under contract and announced while Quad City still has not announced any player signings. Here is the current list of player signings by team:

(6)Allen Americans: Kevin Young (D), Jamie Schaafsma (F), Tyler Ludwig (D), Jonathan Lessard (F), Darryl Bootland (F), Trevor Ludwig (D)

(4)Arizona Sundogs: Kevin Baker (F), Michael Couch (D), Micheal Trebish (F), Alex Tuckerman (D)

(4)Brampton Beast: Calin Wild (C), Andrew Darrigo (D), Mike MacIsaac (F), Josh McQuade (F)

(3)Denver Cutthroats: Mike Bayrack (C), Kyle Fletcher (F), John Griggs (G)

(5)Missouri Mavericks: Andrew Courtney (F), John-Scott Dickson (F), Scott Langdon (D), T.J. Battani (F), Sebastien Thinel (F)

(0)Quad City Mallards: 

(6)Rapid City Rush: Winston Day Chief (F), Justin Sawyer (D/F), Scott Brannon (F), Justin Faryna (F),  Sean Erickson (D), Brett Kostolansky (D)

(2)Tulsa Oilers: Jake Obermeyer (D), Nathan Lutz (D)

(2)Wichita Thunder:  Alex Bourret (F), Nikita Kashirsky (F)



- The Americans have certainly lost some talent from last years championship team with the departure of Bruce Graham (England), Bryan Pitton (Poland), Anthony Maiani (Denmark), Daniel Tetrault (Retirement), Garrett Klotz (Indianapolis Fuel) already announced and rumors Kale Kerbashian has signed elsewhere. Throw in the possibility Spencer Asuchak and Alex Lavoie get AHL deals and there are definitely holes to fill.

- Losing great players is a way of life in the CHL and it is not unique to the Americans. Here is just a partial list of players from around the CHL that won't be returning at the start of the season because of signing elsewhere or retirement. Todd Robinson, Jesse Dudas, David Brown, Gabriel Levesque, Eric Castonguay, Mathieu Gagnon, Thomas Heemskerk, Andrew Engelage, Steve Ward, Kyle Bochek, Matt Larke, Shane Madalora, Henrik Odegaard, David Rutherford, Scott Howes, Scott Wray, Konrad Reeder and Matt Stephenson.

- The CHL final schedule is in the hands of the teams for review before being released to the public. It should be out with in the next week. As a reminder, Allen's home opener will be Friday, October 24th and the final game of the season will be Friday, April 3rd. Both of these dates are about a week later than last year because the CHL made the decision to delay the start of the season by one week.

- The CHL summer meeting takes place a week from Monday (July 21) in Arizona. Look for some changes that have been discussed (playoffs, veterans, two referees) to be voted on at the meeting but also some ideas that come out of the meeting sessions to be voted on as well. It should be interesting and it will be covered by our friends from  Minor League Hockey Report so hopefully we will get some real time information.


DID YOU KNOW: I got this from Tommy Daniels recently and found it interesting. Geico is a corporate sponsor of the Allen Americans but only sponsors two minor league teams, though they are very active in the NHL. The Allen Americans (CHL) and Alaska Aces (ECHL) are the only double AA hockey teams Geico sponsors.

Daniel Tetrault & Scott Wray, The End of An Era - The Real Story is Shanna Wray

The Wray Family (Scott, Owen, Masen & Shanna) Leave Rapid City Today For the Next Chapter Back Home In Ontario

The end of an era takes place today as the last two players in the Central Hockey League that also played in the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) before the two leagues merged in 2001 have retired. I am talking about Allen's Daniel Tetrault who played for the Austin Ice Bats (WPHL) and Raipd City's Scott Wray who played for the Lake Charles Ice Pirates (WPHL). Two outstanding players who are also great leaders. Tetrault was a key part of Allen's championship season this year and of course Allen fans will never forget the Rapid City championship winning goal Wray scored against Allen in 2010. It is no surprise that both Scott & Daniel have moved to the coaching ranks and you can be assured they will both make great coaches.

Scott Wray will become the first head coach of the Powassan Voodoos, a Tier 2, Junior A team of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. Wray had applied to be a coach of his former junior team, in North Bay, Ontario, but was offered and accepted the head coaching job at North Bay’s farm club, the Voodoos. Driving the decision for Wray and his family is the chance to return home. “We’ve been gone for 15 years, my entire adulthood,” Wray said. “I’m excited about it. It’s a good chance for my kids to meet some cousins and family they haven’t been able to meet over the years,” he said. “We’re just excited to go home to do what we love."

But this story is not about Daniel Tetrault or Scott Wray but about Scott's wife Shanna. Who is Shanna Wray you ask? Here is how she describes herself, "I’m a part-time wife (he plays hockey and is often referred to as Mr. Sometimes) and  full time mom (to Owen and Masen, often referred to as little monsters). I whip through life on the tails of a caffeine high and would do just about anything for carbs. I am a wannabe blogger. Sports Psychologist (not really but might as well be). Hopelessly in love with my hockey player, high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and my two boys. Obsessions include a Boston Terrier named Guinness and a Sheepadoodle named Molson, photography, writing and my macbook."

Shanna and I have become "blogger friends" over the years and I have written about her blog many times as she is a great writer. Her ability to write with total honestly and raw emotion and yet be very humorous along the way is a rare gift. Her honesty and writing from the heart sometimes gets her in trouble with hockey fans and others but the openness to tell her truth is what I admire about her writing.

Scott, Shanna and the boys are leaving Rapid City today for the trek home to Ontario so in her honor I want to repost a couple of my favorite stories about being a hockey wife. I am sure all hockey wives (especially those with children) can identify with these "times are tough on the bus and bonding with the boys" stories. Check out her blog as in addition to the humorous examples below she writes many serious pieces about life and kids and most recently about how difficult it is to leave Rapid City. You can see all of Shanna's work at http://wraysingboys.com and if you are on Twitter you can follow her at @shannaleighwray.

I recently sent Shanna a note wishing the family well on their move home and encouraged her to continue writing her blog and received a typical Shanna like response, "The shit show that is going to be the rest of the summer will prove to be great material."

From her many fans in Allen and around the CHL best of luck to Scott, Shanna, Owen & Masen as they head back to North Bay, Ontario this morning to start a new chapter in their lives.

White Flag

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Shanna Wray

Hey, you! On the bus… this one’s for you.

  So, you’re leaving your wife (or girlfriend, or whatever) to go on the road.  As much as you might try to convince her that this is a torturous time for you, hours on the bus (sleeping and watching movies), sore aching bodies (relieved by a stint in the hotel’s pool/hot tub) and the football/hockey game that you want isn’t on the bus (SERIOUSLY? this is a complaint?), it’s awfully hard for her to feel sorry for you.  And by “feel sorry for you” I really mean, it’s awfully hard for her not to junk punch you when you complain about having to go on the road at all.  Especially for those of us who are at left behind, working, raising kids and basically, running a country.  

  After recent shenanigans on the road involving some ‘clouded judgement’ (his words, not mine) on Mr. Sometime’s part, I’ve got a little advice for you.  Take it or leave it (I urge you to take it, if you value your life at all), it’s up to you.

When you’re on the road, you aren’t  expected to just sit in your hotel room all day watching tv (most-likely porn, and IF it’s porn, just keep that info to yourself), playing hermit, no matter how much she might love the idea (seriously, don’t mention the porn).   Seeing as you are a grown man-child, you should be able to control your inner frat boy when you have a day off, keeping his presence pretty low-key.  If you can’t, and you chose to indulge in a bender of sorts, you need to know that there’s a really good chance (like, 120% chance) that she won’t be happy about it but she probably won’t say much (strong and silent and cursing you up and down on the inside) other than a few clipped “uh-huh’s” and “fine’s” (honestly, she’s really just giving you the rope, waiting for you to hang yourself with it).  Should you  be able to secure a day of (olympic) drinking without catastrophic repercussions from the War Department, you should make a concerted effort to maintain contact with the world around you (HER). In laymen terms , answer your cell phone when she calls.  The FIRST time. EVEN if you’ve got a pair of (much nicer than hers) boobies in your face because your buddies bought you a lap dance. Answer your phone.  It is mobile, after all, and considering all the porn that you are NOT watching on your phone, it should have a decent battery charge.  And there are cell phone towers EVERYWHERE so don’t even think about trying to convince her that you’re in the middle of nowhere, standing outside of some kind of shanty, drinking moonshine. If you try this, she will get quiet. Really quiet.  This means she is plotting to kill you.

  And, hey, while you’re all just sitting around getting shmeegled, doing your man-bonding thing and pretending that the world doesn’t exist outside of your frosty tall glass, get with your boys and have a powwow.  Make sure your stories all match up because *NEWSFLASH!* your ladies actually talk to each other and will root out story discrepancies without even trying. You’d be surprised at what a woman can find out in a unblieveable amount of time. (Of course, our ways are completely classified, so if I told you how we do this, I’d have to kill you ’cause, you know, that whole vaginas before manginas thing)  What I can say though, is that you never, ever want her to be the girl with the story that doesn’t match up. Nor do you want to be the guy who sewers your buddies. If you’re not one for  powwows, switch out the (titty) bar for drinking in the hotel lobby/lounge/creep’s paradise.  That’s (almost) always a safe place to be.  Until one of you ends up drunk and naked in the hotel lobby/lounge/creep’s paradise, with nothing on but flip-flops, brushing your teeth (admit it, you ALL know someone who’s done this). 

  While we’re at this, you’ll also want to make sure that if you’ve ignored her phone calls for the better part of the sausage fest, don’t decide get a conscience in the middle of the night as you stumble back to your hotel.  This means that you will call her and wake her up only to carry on a conversation with the people around you, instead of her (a crime punishable by castration in that country that she’s running). She will spend the rest of the night pissed off and wide awake. That is a combination that does not bode well for you in the morning.

  Should all of this fall through and you’re an idiot and she tears a strip off of you at 8:50am and you’re imminent death upon your return is certain, my advice is this.  Agree with everything she says.  Apologize profusely. Admit defeat on all social media platforms and tag her in them. And do it again and again.  Eventually, she’ll acknowledge the white flag. 

  And she’ll use that white flag to wrap your balls in for safe keeping when you get home.

* Mr. Sometimes is still alive and well (for the time being) and all of his man-parts are still firmly attached to his body (for now…)

** this is not a sign of impending doom for our marriage and Mr. Sometimes is NOT the sole inspiration for this post so lets not go assuming horrible things

Day Pass

Posted on April 19, 2014 by Shanna Wray

Dear Mr. Sometimes…

It has come to my attention that your wife (being the amazing spouse that she is) granted you a “day pass” from the insane asylum that is your house (you lucky dog, you).  This Is huge. Like big, huge. And you earned it after a season of bus trips and hotel rooms and king size beds to yourself and hot meals served to you by giggling waitresses and more bus trips and mid-day naps! Seriously, you earned it, Captain!
But here’s the thing, Mr. Sometimes. I’m doubtful that said day pass included dropping off the face of the earth. Ya know? Golf and beer with your buds? Awesome sauce, dude. Good on ya! But throwing the ninja dust and becoming more unavailable than a soldier in hostile territory? Not so much.
Now don’t get your boxer-briefs in a bunch. We all know that the boys like to breathe and no one needs sweaty, just played 18 holes of golf in 75° weather, gonads stuck to their thigh or, even worse, stuck up so high that one might assume at some point, castration occurred during an unfortunate accident involving a rusty bicycle crossbar, 21 beers and an unruly curb (or even worse, a pissed off wife) And anyways,  no one likes a pouter, so no complaining that you didn’t notice that there was a fine print on the contract that you signed for your Day Pass. Always assume that one should be overly suspicious of a wife who agrees to a “Boy’s Day”. Always.
Now, considering the fact that the golf course you’re frolicking on at this very moment is l-i-t-e-r-a-l-l-y in your back yard, there really shouldn’t be too much cause for concern if you do, in fact, go awol for an afternoon. I mean, barring a wiz-on-a-tree gone wrong or you’re schmeigled enough to mistake the bunker on hole 11 for a swimming pool and you drowned in it, what’s the big friggin’ deal, amiright?
Unless, of course, your alter-ego “Frank the Tank” decides in a moment of reckless abandon that a house party is in order. I mean, that sounds super fun and I’m assuming your wife would be ALL OVER that shiznick. Beers? Friends? In her house where she can be shoe – less and sock-less and in her sweats?? (I’m tempted to say bra-less but let’s be real, no one attending the house party needs to have an eye taken out) Best. Time. Ever. (And it’d probably get you laid). Unless.
Unless you decided, in all your Frank-mid-streaking-through-downtown glory, to suggest a house part while your ever faithful wife is schlepping your offspring to the ball fields for the second time that day after only being home for about an hour and a half to fold and put away YOUR underwear. I know, I know! Day Pass and all that, but suggesting your disgustingly messy house be the landing strip for all sorts of awesomeness when your wife isn’t home, and won’t be for a long while,  when she hasn’t showered yet that day and she’s pretty certain she looks like something that she scraped out of the gunk trap in the dishwasher, well, that just wouldn’t be smart, man.
We all know you mean well. You’re a people person, Frank and that’s, like, the awesomest. But in all your “busy being uuber social and chattiest of cathys”, your phone is gonna die. Yes, your Lil dude was with you for the better part of your escapades on the course so he, no doubt,  played a round (or 50) of Minion Rush and I’m sure that didn’t help with the battery consumption. But lemme just say, the panic that might ensue in your house when your wife sees that kid waltz through the door with your phone in hand and casually offer a simple, “Needs to be Charged”, might be tantamount to that which would occur when the busiest rest stop on Route 66 has plumbing issues and no toilet paper- simultaneously. When she finds out of your plans but she’s not home and she can’t get a hold of you? Bad news bears, Frank. The odds are most definitely not “Evah in your favah”.
No wife ever wants to not be able to contact her husband, Day Pass or not. The Day Pass was a pass out of the crazy house for a brief, find your masculinity in the bottom of the 18th hole, reprieve. The Day Pass was NOT a pass out of life indefinitely.
Let me finish this little Diddy off by recommending you read the fine print next time you get the Day Pass. And maybe consider flowers. Or a sleep in day for her, for once. And maybe don’t let the 7yr old take the blame for running your battery down. Or maybe don’t stage an uprising of drunk teammates in your house without her knowing.
  Let’s not forget NOT going AWOL on the golf course and then disappearing to some unknown safehouse afterwards.
Without your phone.
You’re pretty lucky she loves you. 
Frank, on the other hand?
Yeah. Not so much.