The AHL's new Fighting Rule

The American Hockey League has changed their fighting rules. Their new rules are very similar to the OHL's fighting rules. I have to wonder if the NHL is next? The rules are supposed to affect this fall. 

Rule 46 (“Fighting”)/Rule 23 (“Game Misconducts”) 
• Players who enter into a fight prior to, at, or immediately following the drop of the puck for a faceoff will be assessed an automatic game misconduct in addition to other penalties assessed. 

• During the regular season, any player who incurs his 10th fighting major shall be suspended automatically for one (1) game. For each subsequent fighting major up to 13, the player shall also be suspended automatically for one (1) game. 

• During the regular season, any player who incurs his 14th fighting major shall be suspended automatically for two (2) games. For each subsequent fighting major, the player shall also be suspended automatically for two (2) games. 

• In any instance where the opposing player was assessed an instigator penalty, the fighting major shall not count towards the player’s total for this rule.

Dan Kelly's Dirty Hit on Andreas Johnson

There's no excuse for these kinds of hits. No one can give me a reason why this hit should still be happening in the NHL or at any level of hockey. This is unacceptable, it's a barbaric act of thuggery. Boomer Gordon on XM-Radio's NHL Network said, "This hit was bad during the 1980's." And I agree.

Albany Devils defenseman Dan Kelly's Dirty should be suspended longer for this dirty hit on Andreas Johnson Without even looking at the NHL rule book, I can tell you that this is a violation of the NHL's Rule 48.

Are Hockey Fights Going the Way of the Dodo Bird?

Check out this article. Some good points.

Windsor Star -- As one of the few Wings who does fight – Abdelkader and Brendan Smith are the only current Detroit players with a fighting major this season – he views the frightening video as another potential nail in the coffin for the future of hockey fights.

“I think there could be a place for fighting as far as just policing the guys,” Abdelkader said. “It’s the after the whistle stuff, the different things that can go on.

“At the same time, no one really needs to fight anymore. I just think you’re seeing less and less of it. Players are more skilled and focused on playing (well) on the ice than going out and fighting. You’re not seeing a fourth line that’s full of guys that are going to go out and fight.”

In Detroit’s most recent game, no Red Wing challenged Philadelphia’s Ryan White after he was assessed a match penalty for a head shot on Detroit’s Tomas Jurco and Wings’ coach Jeff Blashill accepted that development as a reality of the way the game is played today.

The other night, San Diego Gulls forward Brian McGrattan was knocked out in a fight with Daniel Maggio of the San Antonio Rampage. For now, fighting is allowed in the National Hockey league and in the American Hockey League game.

But for how long?

Most Junior hockey league have done everything they can to limit the number of fights a player can be involved in during the course of a season. The OHL has a 10-fight limit. After a player reaches 10 in a season, he's subject to stiffer disciplinary action. In other words, fight 11-15 are rewarded with a two-game suspension.

College hockey banned fighting many years ago.

If you watched the fight in question, you know it was an ugly incident. None of us ever want to see player get hurt on the ice. The McGrattan incident will give anti-fighting cabal the necessary ammo it needs to push for a fighting ban in all levels of hockey. Actually, these incidents will give credence to their argument.



In today’s salary cap NHL, teams can’t afford to carry one-dimensional players on their roster. They don’t have that luxury. Teams can’t afford to have a player that plays four shifts a game and sits on the end of the bench huffing and puffing at people. They need players that can score goals, kill penalties and chew up minutes.

Players that can fight and play hockey have greater value and still have a role in the NHL. See L.A. Kings forward Milan Lucic.

Brian McGrattan Knocked out by Daniel Maggio

Tonight, San Diego Gulls forward Brian McGrattan was knocked out cold in a fight by Daniel Maggio of the San Antonio Rampage in an American Hockey League game.

It's an ugly incident, you never want to see anyone get hurt on the ice. Yet, you have fans still cheering while McGrattan is laying on the ice. The anti-fighting cabal will use this as evidence that fighting has no room in any level of hockey.

It's incidents like this that will give credence to their argument. Thankfully, McGrattan is conscious and appears to be okay. I would imagine that he will not be playing anytime soon.

INJURY UPDATE: Brian McGrattan is conscious, alert and has full movement.

— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) January 20, 2016

Hoping you are ok @bigern10 thoughts are with you and the family

— George Parros (@GeorgeParros) January 20, 2016

Mike Parks signs with the Flyers

This is about 10 days late, but Former UND forward Michael Parks has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers organization. I imagine that he will play in the AHL or ECHL.

Not sure if this is out there, but #Flyers 2010 fifth-round pick (and UND alum) Mike Parks has signed an AHL deal with the #LVPhantoms.

— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) September 3, 2015

College Hockey’s Influence on Team USA World Championship

LORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey announced today the first 15 players of the 2015 U.S. Men's National Team that will compete in the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship May 1-17 in Ostrava and Prague, Czech Republic. The initial group of players includes one goaltender, six defensemen and eight forwards.

Marc Arcobello, F, Arizona Coyotes (NHL) – Yale University

Justin Faulk, D, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) – Minnesota-Duluth

Jake Gardiner, D, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) – Wisconsin

Matt Hendricks, F, Edmonton Oilers (NHL) – St. Cloud State

Torey Krug, D, Boston Bruins (NHL) – Michigan State

Dylan Larkin, F, University of Michigan (Big Ten)

Trevor Lewis, F, Los Angeles Kings (NHL) – OHL

Alex Lyon, G, Yale University (ECAC Hockey)

John Moore, D, Arizona Coyotes (NHL) – OHL

Jeremy Morin, F, Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) – OHL

Steve Moses, F, Jokerit (KHL) – New Hampshire

Connor Murphy, D, Arizona Coyotes (NHL) – OHL

Mike Reilly, D, University of Minnesota (Big Ten)

Dan Sexton, F, Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik (KHL) – Bowling Green State

Ben Smith, F, San Jose Sharks (NHL) – Boston College

Jimmy Vesey, F, Harvard University (ECAC Hockey)

Checking the roster, 12-of-16 players had NCAA experience. 

Grand Forks has been named America's #1 Hockey Town.

According to @smartasset, Grand Forks has been named America's #1 Hockey Town. #UNDProud https://t.co/UVc5Cqk6Kp
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) February 5, 2015

Here's a new article that came out this week. I am sure the other 58 teams in college hockey will probably offer some argument to why this article is flawed. It looks like they might have a solid method of analyzing the different schools.

Data & Methodology

While the NHL is the premier hockey league in the U.S., there are several others with significant fan bases. In addition to all U.S. NHL towns, we considered every U.S. town or city with a team competing in America’s top two minor leagues (the American Hockey League (AHL) and the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL)) or in Division I NCAA hockey. That brought the total of towns in our study to 129.2 For each of those 129 towns we first looked at the overall quality of life enjoyed by residents. Specifically, to develop our Quality of Life Score we looked at the following five factors:

Violent Crimes per 100,000 people.

Property Crimes per 100,000 people.

Disposable Income (median income minus median housing costs).

Dining and Entertainment Establishments per 10,000 residents.

Unemployment Rate.3

Related articles

• America's Best Hockey Towns(smartasset.com)

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Minnesota Wild Announce New ECHL Affiliate

There has been a lot of hockey news in the past day or so, and more coming from the Minnesota Wild camp today as well, and no it isn't anything about the Darcy Kuemper situation. The Wild have announced an affiliation with the ECHL's Alaska Aces.

The Aces have been very successful as a franchise in the past few seasons, winning three Kelly Cup Championships in the past nine seasons, including this past season.

Included in the agreement, according to wild.com, the Aces will serve as a resource for developmental efforts for both Iowa (AHL) and Minnesota.

UND fans may take notice at a familiar face on the Aces roster, and now in the Minnesota Wild system, Evan Trupp. Trupp played four years at UND and was a member of the Aces for their championship winning team last season.

New AHL Rules for 2014-15

The alternate logo of the AHL. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

s/t to Paul of Kukla's Korner. Some interesting rule changes are coming to the American Hockey League for the 2014-15 season. Frankly, I wish they would leave the overtime the way it is. I do like rule 20.4. I think two fights in one game is enough.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League’s Board of Governors has concluded its 2014 Annual Meeting, held this week at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Chaired by AHL President and CEO David Andrews, the four days of meetings, which concluded Thursday, saw the approval of the following rules changes to be implemented beginning in 2014-15:

Rule 85 (“Overtime”) During the regular season, the sudden-death overtime period will be seven minutes (7:00) in length, preceded by a “dry scrape” of the entire ice surface.

Teams will change ends at the start of overtime.

Full playing strength will be 4-on-4 until the first whistle following three minutes of play (4:00 remaining), at which time full strength will be reduced to 3-on-3 for the duration of the overtime period.

If the game is still tied following overtime, a winner will be determined by a three-player shootout.

Rule 20.4 (“Major Penalties”) An automatic game misconduct will be applied to any player who has been assessed two major penalties for fighting or three major penalties for any infraction in the same game.

Rule 9.6 (“Helmets”) A player on the ice whose helmet comes off during play will be assessed a minor penalty unless he immediately (a) exits the playing surface or (b) puts the helmet back on with the chin strap properly fastened.

“With the full support of the league’s Competition Committee and Player Development Committee, the Board has approved these changes with the betterment of our game and the safety of our players in mind,” said Andrews.

Mike Haviland named head coach of C.C. Tigers

#109214206 / gettyimages.com

It's an interesting selection, Mike Haviland has been hired as the 14th head coach of the Colorado College Tigers hockey team. Haviland played collegiately at Elmira College a Division III school. Also, it looks to be a good hire, Haviland has coached in the American Hockey League and the National Hockey league as an assistant.

Colorado College Tigers --- Mike Haviland has agreed to become Colorado College's next head ice hockey coach. The highly regarded veteran coach with experience at the NCAA, ECHL, AHL and NHL levels will take over as the 14th coach of the Tigers later this month.

Haviland, most recently head coach for the Hershey Bears, the oldest franchise in the AHL, owns an impressive record. He earned a Stanley Cup as assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL in 2010. He was honored with the AHL's Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Coach of the Year Award for the 2006-07 season while serving as head coach of the Norfolk Admirals. He won ECHL championships as head coach of Trenton Titans in 2004-05 and the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in 2002-03. From 1996-1998 as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Elmira College, Haviland helped guide that team to two ECAC championships.

Haviland has more than 20 years of hockey coaching experience, and became head coach of the Hershey Bears in 2013. Prior to arriving at Hershey, he served as associate head coach at Norfolk. From 2008-2012 he served as an assistant coach for the Blackhawks. Haviland got his start in the Blackhawk organization by serving as head coach of Rockford in 2007-2008. He also served as head coach for Norfolk in 2005-2007; of Trenton in the ECHL from 2004-2005; and Atlantic City of the ECHL from 2001-2004. Prior to 2001 Haviland served as assistant coach for several organizations.

WJHC: Finland's Rasmus Ristolainen scores the Overtime Game Winner.

Finland's and Buffalo Sabres prospect defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen scores the game winning goal in overtime, to beat the Swedes. It kind of reminds me of the Sega style dipsy-doodle goal.

Buffalo Sabres: Mark Pysyk Goal. Butt goal.....

Wow! I have never seen anything like this. This is Wild. This is the description of the goal from the Buffalo Sabres site. You may never seen anything like this again.

Mark Pysyk, who was recalled from the American Hockey League on Monday afternoon, was credited with the game-winning goal when Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal knocked a loose puck out of the air and into goalie Mike Smith's hockey pants.

Smith slid backward into the net to prevent a rebound opportunity not knowing the puck was in his equipment. A review of the play confirmed the puck crossed the line.

Former UND Hockey Players sent Down

Former UND Hockey Players Corban Knight and Danny Kristo have both been sent down to the AHL from their parent clubs.

The #Flames have reduced their training camp roster by four players --> http://t.co/JZ9gYdTzyx
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 26, 2013

RT @NYRangers: #NYR assigns following players 2 @WolfPackAHL F: Haley, Kantor, Yogan, Kristo D: Hughes, Johnson, McIlrath, Syvret G: Talbot
— Jim Cerny (@JimCerny) September 25, 2013

Here's my story as #NYR send 9 back to @WolfPackAHL including @dkristo7 & @dylan_mcilrath http://t.co/XqTpPveeDH
— Jim Cerny (@JimCerny) September 25, 2013

Saturday Evening: 24 days until the NHL starts

24 days !!! Until hockey is back pic.twitter.com/4XCbYQGmxW
— HockeyPerks® (@HockeyPerks) September 7, 2013

Related articles

• Saturday Afternoon Dreaming: How about Paul Martin? (hockeywilderness.com)

NHL Hockey: George Gwozdecky to Become Tampa Bay Assistant

Interesting development, Terry Frei an NHL hockey reporter from the Denver Dost is reporting that former DU head coach George Gwozdecky will become an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Actually, I find it surprising since Gwozdecky never played in the NHL.

Terry Frei, Denver Post --- Former University of Denver hockey coach George Gwozdecky has agreed to become an assistant coach with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, and arring unexpected last-minute snags, an announcement of his hiring will come soon, two college hockey sources confirmed Thursday.

Gwozdecky's firing after 19 seasons at DU — a stint that included back-to-back NCAA championships in 2004 and 2005 — generated controversy last spring, and he since had turned down an opportunity to be the head coach at Alabama-Huntsville. He had a year left on his contract at DU and was expected to sit out the 2013-14 season while waiting to see what other jobs might open on the collegiate level.

But the Lightning will bring in Gwozdecky to work under new head coach Jon Cooper, promoted after three seasons as head coach of Tampa Bay's American Hockey League farm club. Gwozdecky will join Rick Bowness, a veteran assistant who has had several stints as an NHL head coach, on Cooper's staff.

Related articles

• Gwoz not in the running for UAH coaching job (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Gwoz to Huntsville? (mvn.com)

Men's National Team Orientation Camp Roster Set

The Minnesota Wild have landed two of their star players (Zach Parise and Ryan Suter) on the U.S. Men's National Team Orientation Camp roster, The orientation camp will take place from Aug. 26-27, at Kettler Capitals IcePlex in Arlington, Va. If you look at the roster you will see a good number of players on team USA played Division I College Hockey. 

Also, there are two former Fighting Sioux forwards on the U.S. Men's National Team Orientation Camp roster in Zach Parise and T.J. Oshie. 

GOALTENDERS

Name	Height	Weight	Date of Birth	Shoots	Hometown	Current Team
Craig Anderson	6-2 (188)	180 (82)	1981-05-21	L	Park Ridge, Ill.	Ottawa Senators (NHL)
John Gibson	6-3 (191)	209 (95)	1993-07-14	L	Pittsburgh, Pa.	Norfolk Admirals (AHL)
Jimmy Howard	6-0 (183)	218 (99)	1984-03-26	L	Syracuse, N.Y.	Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Ryan Miller	6-2 (188)	175 (79)	1980-07-17	L	East Lansing, Mich.	Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Jonathan Quick	6-1 (185)	218 (99)	1986-01-21	L	Milford, Conn.	Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Cory Schneider	6-2 (188)	195 (88)	1986-03-18	L	Marblehead, Mass.	New Jersey Devils (NHL)

DEFENSEMEN

Name	Height	Weight	Date of Birth	Shoots	Hometown	Current Team
Zach Bogosian	6-3 (191)	215 (98)	1990-07-15	R	Massena, N.Y.	Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Dustin Byfuglien	6-5 (198)	265 (120)	1985-03-27	R	Roseau, Minn.	Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
John Carlson	6-3 (191)	212 (96)	1990-01-10	R	Colonia, N.J.	Washington Capitals (NHL)
Dan DeKeyser	6-3 (191)	198 (90)	1990-03-07	L	Clay Township, Mich.	Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Justin Faulk	6-0 (183)	215 (98)	1992-03-20	R	South St. Paul, Minn.	Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Cam Fowler	6-1 (185)	196 (89)	1991-03-05	L	Farmington Hills, Mich.	Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Jake Gardiner	6-2 (188)	184 (83)	1990-07-04	L	Minnetonka, Minn.	Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Erik Johnson	6-4 (195)	232 (105)	1988-03-21	R	Bloomington, Minn.	Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Jack Johnson	6-1 (185)	231 (105)	1987-01-13	L	Ann Arbor, Mich.	Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Seth Jones	6-4 (195)	206 (93)	1994-10-03	R	Plano, Texas	Nashville Predators (NHL)
Nick Leddy	6-0 (183)	191 (87)	1991-03-20	L	Eden Prairie, Minn.	Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Paul Martin	6-1 (185)	200 (91)	1981-03-05	L	Minneapolis, Minn.	Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Ryan McDonagh	6-1 (185)	213 (97)	1989-06-13	L	St. Paul, Minn.	New York Rangers (NHL)
Brooks Orpik	6-2 (188)	219 (99)	1980-09-26	L	San Francisco, Calif.	Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Kevin Shattenkirk	5-11 (180)	207 (94)	1989-01-29	R	Greenwich, Conn.	St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Ryan Suter	6-1 (185)	198 (90)	1985-01-21	L	Madison, Wis.	Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Jacob Trouba	6-1 (185)	196 (89)	1994-02-26	R	Rochester, Mich.	Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Keith Yandle	6-1 (185)	190 (86)	1986-09-09	L	Boston, Mass.	Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)

FORWARDS

Name	Height	Weight	Date of Birth	Shoots	Hometown	Current Team
Justin Abdelkader	6-1 (185)	219 (99)	1987-02-25	L	Muskegon, Mich.	Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
David Backes	6-3 (191)	221 (100)	1984-05-01	R	Minneapolis, Minn.	St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Beau Bennett	6-2 (188)	207 (94)	1991-11-27	R	Gardena, Calif.	Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Nick Bjugstad	6-6 (198)	215 (98)	1992-07-17	R	Minneapolis, Minn.	Florida Panthers (NHL)
Dustin Brown	6-0 (183)	212 (96)	1984-11-04	L	Ithaca, N.Y.	Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Ryan Callahan	5-11 (180)	180 (82)	1985-03-21	R	Rochester, N.Y.	New York Rangers (NHL)
Alex Galchenyuk	6-1 (185)	196 (89)	1994-02-12	L	Milwaukee, Wis.	Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Patrick Kane	5-11 (180)	181 (82)	1988-11-19	L	Buffalo, N.Y.	Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Ryan Kesler	6-2 (188)	202 (92)	1984-08-31	R	Livonia, Mich.	Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Phil Kessel	6-0 (183)	202 (92)	1987-10-02	R	Madison, Wis.	Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Trevor Lewis	6-1 (185)	199 (90)	1987-01-08	R	Salt Lake City, Utah	Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Kyle Okposo	6-0 (183)	212 (96)	1988-03-16	R	St. Paul, Minn.	New York Islanders (NHL)
T.J. Oshie	5-11 (180)	189 (86)	1986-12-23	R	Warroad, Minn.	St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Max Pacioretty	6-2 (188)	219 (99)	1988-11-20	L	New Canaan, Conn.	Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Kyle Palmieri	5-11 (180)	197 (90)	1991-02-01	R	Smithtown, N.Y.	Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Zach Parise	5-11 (180)	190 (86)	1984-07-28	L	Minneapolis, Minn.	Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Joe Pavelski	5-11 (180)	190 (86)	1984-07-11	R	Plover, Wis.	San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Bobby Ryan	6-2 (188)	200 (91)	1987-03-17	R	Cherry Hills, N.J.	Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Brandon Saad	6-1 (185)	202 (92)	1992-10-27	L	Gibsonia, Pa.	Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Craig Smith	6-1 (185)	202 (92)	1989-09-05	R	Madison, Wis.	Nashville Predators (NHL)
Paul Stastny	6-0 (183)	205 (93)	1985-12-27	L	St. Louis, Mo.	Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Derek Stepan	6-0 (183)	196 (90)	1990-06-18	R	Hastings, Minn.	New York Rangers (NHL)
James van Riemsdyk	6-3 (191)	200 (91)	1989-05-04	L	Middletown, N.J.	Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Blake Wheeler	6-5 (198)	205 (93)	1986-08-31	R	Robbinsdale, Minn.	Winnipeg Jets (NHL)