Practice Notes & Other Thoughts - 2/21/13

Stopped by practice today to see what was happening and picked up a few things that might be of interest.

- The players were scheduled for a day off on Wednesday after the trip home from Wichita but after the disappointing loss everything changed and there was a practice Wednesday.

- Martinson, Matvichuk & Ludwig were all on the ice for practice today.

- Adam Pineault & Darryl Bootland did not practice today so I would assume they will not be available for the game with Wichita on Friday.

- The snow storm in Kansas prevented  the Thunder from traveling to Allen today. They will instead travel Friday morning and hopefully will be able to make it without any problems.

Torrie Jung took slap shot to the throat

-  The picture above is a picture Thunder goalie Torrie Jung posted showing the aftermath of a slap shot he took to the throat off the stick of Jarret Lukin in the first period of the game Tuesday. Torrie indicated he was feeling better and would be okay after spending the night in the ICU.

- Heard a couple of times this week that the Minnesota Wild are looking for a new AHL franchise and will not be affiliated with the Houston Aeros next year. Rumor is they are talking to Wichita and Des Moines groups about establishing an AHL franchise.

- Former Americans player Matt Register has left the Arizona Sundogs and signed with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL.

- Heard the CHL plans to experiment with two referees but plan to do so in the CHL playoff finals. The idea to try two refs is a good one but doing it for the first time in the finals doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

- With the CHL trade deadline passed, the deadline for signing European players passed, the next thing is to find some amateurs to sign.