Recent AHL Articles
- Bears win preseason opener
There were plently of new faces wearing the chocolate and white today that won’t be wearing it in the weeks ahead. Regardless, the Bears played a strong game came out with the win over Norfolk 5-4. I won’t go into all the game details, but you can get that at John Walton’s blog: http://johnwaltonhockey.blogspot.co~ There were a few players that ... [Link]
- Skate the Plank moving to Maine Hockey Journal
I would like to thank everybody for visiting Skate the Plank over the last three seasons. It’s been a lot of hard work, but I’ve had a blast doing it. I’ve met some fantastic people in the hockey world and at MVN and I will be forever grateful to you for allowing me to live a dream. Evan, Cory and ... [Link]
- Weinrich… Pirates coach of the future?
Portland, ME – As the Pirates were announcing Eric Weinrich as the new assistant coach for the Pirates, something popped into my head. Weinrich is the prince-in-waiting for the Pirates head coaching position. What’s that you say? No way… How can you read the future? No, I’m not reading tarot cards or trying see into any crystal ball, but sitting ... [Link]
- 7.) Pirates set a franchise record for the quickest two goals in a period
During the 1996-1997 season, the Portland Pirates faced a number of challenges, but they stared down adversity all season long, in the process setting the franchise record for the quickest-two goals in franchise history. Portland, ME – The island of Newfoundland is known for many things. Affectionately referred as “The Rock” – not to be compared with the other rock ... [Link]
- Pirates still looking for assistant coaches; Ducks make move
Well, we can scratch Dino’s brother Gord Dineen off list as potential assistant coaches for the Portland Pirates, AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. Dineen will be staying with the Anaheim Ducks organization becoming the head coach of Ducks new AHL affiliate in Des Monies, Iowa. Dineen, 45, will begin his first stint as a head coach in the AHL ... [Link]
- Pirates gain a little toughness
Buffalo, NY — Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have signed unrestricted free agent LW Jimmy Bonneau. Bonneau (3/22/1985, 6’3”, 220 lbs.) split last season between Hamilton (AHL) and Cincinnati (ECHL), picking up five points (1+4) and 66 PIMs in 24 combined games. Bonneau played junior hockey with Montreal and PEI (QMJHL) from 2002-05, finishing with 47 ... [Link]
- Captain Bouck returns to helm
Portland, ME – The Pirates will have their captain back this season as the Buffalo Sabres signed Tyler Bouck to a one-year contract. Bouck spent last season with the Pirates under the Ducks affiliation where he scored 11 goals, 18 assists for 29 points, matching his career high in goal (11) in 79 games. The 6-0, 196-pound native from Camrose, ... [Link]
- Pirates release 2008-’09 schedule
Portland, ME – Yesterday, the Pirates released their schedule for the upcoming 2008-’09 season with several interesting twist. The schedule format is nearly identical to that of past years as the Pirates attempt to keep travel cost at a minimum, but they have increased the number of neutral site games in order to continue to grow the Pirates brand statewide. ... [Link]
- Sabres hire Dineen to coach Pirates
Portland, ME – Maybe it was the lobster or the ocean views, but as reported first on MVN.com, the Portland Pirates will have a familiar look behind the bench this season as the Buffalo Sabres have hired Kevin Dineen as their new head coach for their minor league affiliate in Portland for at least the next two year’s. Back in ... [Link]
- Sabres sign two forwards for Portland
As it was reported here on STP, the Buffalo Sabres announced today they signed forward Colin Murphy to a contract. They also announced they signed forward Colton Fretter. Fretter,26, split last season between Bridgeport and Chicago in the AHL, scoring 15 points (10+5) in 26 games. In 2006-07, the 5-10, 187-pound forward had 68 points (36+32) in 51 games with ... [Link]
- Dineen to remain with the Pirates
Portland, ME - The Portland Pirates have scheduled a press conference for Tuesday, August 5th at 2:00pm to introduce their head coach. The press conference will be held in the Captain’s Club at the Cumberland County Civic Center. For much of the time, Kevin Dineen has been seen as the front running candidate for job after Randy Cunneyworth accepted the ... [Link]
- Sabres lure Murphy across the border
Portland, ME – The Pirates roster is beginning to take shape as the Buffalo Sabres have add another piece, signing forward Colin Murphy. The Sabres have yet to make the contract signing official, but it’s reportedly a one-year, two-way contract. Murphy, 28, undrafted, spent the last four seasons in the Toronto Maple Leafs farm system, playing for St. John’s before ... [Link]
- 8.) Pirates’ Brochu wows the crowd in Binghamton
Martin Brochu was a special goaltender, making his mark on Portland Pirates history and establishing himself as one of the all-time great AHL goaltenders. Portland, ME – Portland hockey lore has long established a tradition of producing players who have gone on to have long and fruitful careers in professional hockey. The halls of the Cumberland County Civic Center have ... [Link]
- Introducing the Sabres Prospects
Portland, Maine - There have been a lot of exciting changes in the Portland Pirates organization this offseason, as fans well know, as a result of the new affiliation with the Buffalo Sabres. With the new affiliation comes a different set of faces on the ice, a change people should be very optimistic about once they see the talent that ... [Link]
- Cunneyworth hired by Atlanta; Sabres search for replacement underway
We can officially say now that Randy Cunneyworth will not be heading to the Pirates as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres new AHL affiliate in Portland. Cunneyworth, who spent the better part of the last eight seasons has head coach of the Rochester Americans, was hired by the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday as an assistant coach, joining former Pirate ... [Link]
- Sabres officially announce the signing of forward Mathieu Darche
BUFFALO, NY (July 24, 2008) – Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier today announced the Sabres have signed unrestricted free agent LW Mathieu Darche. Darche (11/26/1976, 6’1”, 217 lbs.) spent the 2007-08 season with Tampa Bay, recording a career-high 22 points (7+15) in 73 games. He also picked up 10 points (3+7) in four games with Norfolk (AHL). Darche has 24 ... [Link]
- Sabres sign Darche
While the Sabres still haven’t announced a coaching staff for Portland, they have begun signing players, good players, too, who could potentially find themselves in a Portland Pirates uniform. The Sabres haven’t made the official announcement, yet, but it looks like they’re holding up their end of bargain, signing Mathieu Darche to a one-year contract with Buffalo. It will be ... [Link]
- MacArthur and Mancari Agree to Qualifying Offers
Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today that forwards Clarke MacArthur and Mark Mancari have accepted their qualifying offers. It’s expected that Mancari will play a vital role in the development of the youth in Portland. Read More @ Sabres.com [Link]
- Penguins sign Pittsburgh native Bill Thomas
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed RW Bill Thomas, a Pittsburgh native, to a one year, two-way contract for the upcoming season. Thomas, 25, has played in 40 NHL games while putting up 17 points for the Phoenix Coyotes over the past three seasons. He has also played in 122 AHL games for the San Antonio Rampage, recording 85 points in ... [Link]
- Penguins sign Henrich, Mormina, Kemp, and James
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forwards Adam Henrich and Connor James, as well as defensemen Joey Mormina and T.J. Kemp each to one year contracts. These signings will provide depth for the AHL club in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Henrich, 24, put up 51 points last season in the minors with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL and the Norfolk Admirals of the ... [Link]
- Ben Lovejoy signs; are the veterans up next?
The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that defenseman Ben Lovejoy has signed a one-year entry level deal today. This comes after Lovejoy had a superb season with Wilkes-Barre last year and earned his NHL contract. The 24 year old played in 72 games last year, collecting 20 points and a +16 rating. He also played in all 23 games during last ... [Link]
- Free Agency: The Story So Far
So the dust is swirling and almost settling on day one of free agency across the National Hockey League. Big names Wade Redden (NY Rangers) and Brian Campbell (Chicago) are off the market, as well as veteran goaltenders Olaf Kolzig (Tampa Bay) and Jose Theodore (Washington). Looking around the AHL’s East Division, the Philadelphia Phantoms were again big movers and ... [Link]
- Gaustad re-signs with Sabres
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Sabres announced today that they’ve re-signed forward Paul Gaustad to a new four-year contract. Gaustad, 26, was scheduled to be a restricted free agent on July 1. “We felt it was very important to sign Paul to a multi-year deal at this stage of his career,” said Regier. “He has become an integral part of ... [Link]
- Pirates announce schedule format; Rule changes upcoming
(Sorry for the delay in posting for the last few days. I was on a short reprieve for the weekend in order to handle some business items, but all is well now.) Portland, ME – On Friday, the Portland Pirates announced their schedule format for the 2008-09 regular season, the first as the AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. Like ... [Link]
- All (Mostly) Quiet on Free Agency Eve
It’s the most anticipated day of the year, well, behind the NHL’s trade deadline day, for roster fanatics. The NHL’s Free Agency period kicks off tomorrow morning and there are some big names being thrown around including Jagr, Hossa, and Sundin. Typically, the first day of free agency doesn’t bring that many big AHL moves. In fact, last season during ... [Link]
