FireAntz Hockey

[nccanes]

NHL lockout could affect FireAntz
By Brett Friedlander
Staff writer



The first call came in to the Fayetteville FireAntz's office on Tuesday, long before the National Hockey League's players were officially locked out of their training camps.

"Now tell me the truth," the fan said with a worried tremble in his voice. "If the NHL season isn't played, does that mean the same thing will happen here?"

Tracy Furjanic, the FireAntz's office manager, had to stop and think about the answer for a moment.

"It caught me by such surprise," she said. "He was very concerned."

Furjanic eased the fan's fear by reassuring him that, no matter what happened with the NHL, the local team's season would go on as scheduled.

The FireAntz are set to begin training camp Oct. 24, with their regular-season Southern Professional Hockey League opener to be played five days later at the Crown Coliseum against the Asheville Aces.

While those dates are firm as the frozen water on which the players will be skating, the NHL lockout that went into effect Thursday could still have an impact on the FireAntz and all of minor league hockey.

But unlike the financial and public relations hit their major league counterparts will undoubtedly take during the coming weeks, the FireAntz and other teams like them are in a position to benefit from the sports world's latest work stoppage.

"I think what you're going to see is a ripple effect over the next month or two months," said FireAntz president and general manager Kevin MacNaught. "I don't think there will be a mass exodus of fans from Raleigh coming to watch games here. But I think you will have some fans who are hooked on hockey who will attend our games because it's the only alternative right now."

As such, MacNaught said the FireAntz plan to explore the possibility of expanding their marketing effort outside the Cape Fear region into Raleigh.

Rather than launching an all-out advertising blitz that would end up costing more than it brought in, MacNaught said that his team would probably concentrate on a strategy specifically targeting Carolina Hurricanes season-ticket holders.

He said the FireAntz won't get carried away trying to take advantage of the situation. And he isn't taking it for granted that the Hurricanes' unexpected hiatus will turn into a financial windfall in Fayetteville.

"You never know what's going to happen," he said. "The Hurricanes give hockey in North Carolina a higher profile, which helps us. Without that for an extended period of time, it could end up hurting us, too."

One thing that definitely won't be hurt is the level of talent available to the FireAntz and other lower level minor league teams.

On Wednesday, only hours before the NHL lockout went into effect, the Hurricanes sent 13 of their younger players - including former No. 1 draft choice Eric Staal - down to their American Hockey League affiliate in Lowell, Mass. It's a strategy mirrored by other NHL organizations.

Because those players are not bound by the lockout, others will have to be demoted to the ECHL or released to make room for them on AHL rosters.

That, said FireAntz coach Derek Booth, will deepen the talent pool for teams in the Central, United and Southern Professional leagues.

"There are going to be a lot of guys on the bubble who are going to have to start looking around for jobs soon," Booth said.

"The good thing is that I'm going on a recruiting trip to several (CHL and UHL) camps at the start of October, so some of them will be right there for me."

Although the FireAntz might get some better players out of the deal, current FireAntz, such as David Bagley, might be hindered by fewer available jobs in higher leagues.

"It could be a bad thing if you're looking to move up," said Bagley, who played several games with the Florence Pride last season. "But it's too soon to tell."

Even though Booth figures to take advantage of the trickle down caused by the lockout, he said he hopes the labor dispute is settled quickly.

"Hockey is a great sport and a great sport to be part of, and the last thing I want to see is for it to be hurt in any way," Booth said.

"The NHL is the highest level of hockey in the world. I don't think anyone, even the players and owners, really wants to see them stop playing."

Staff writer Brett Friedlander can be reached at friedlanderb@fayetevillenc.com or 486-3513.

[nccanes]

NHL lockout could affect FireAntz
By Brett Friedlander
Staff writer



The first call came in to the Fayetteville FireAntz's office on Tuesday, long before the National Hockey League's players were officially locked out of their training camps.

"Now tell me the truth," the fan said with a worried tremble in his voice. "If the NHL season isn't played, does that mean the same thing will happen here?"

Tracy Furjanic, the FireAntz's office manager, had to stop and think about the answer for a moment.

"It caught me by such surprise," she said. "He was very concerned."

Furjanic eased the fan's fear by reassuring him that, no matter what happened with the NHL, the local team's season would go on as scheduled.

The FireAntz are set to begin training camp Oct. 24, with their regular-season Southern Professional Hockey League opener to be played five days later at the Crown Coliseum against the Asheville Aces.

While those dates are firm as the frozen water on which the players will be skating, the NHL lockout that went into effect Thursday could still have an impact on the FireAntz and all of minor league hockey.

But unlike the financial and public relations hit their major league counterparts will undoubtedly take during the coming weeks, the FireAntz and other teams like them are in a position to benefit from the sports world's latest work stoppage.

"I think what you're going to see is a ripple effect over the next month or two months," said FireAntz president and general manager Kevin MacNaught. "I don't think there will be a mass exodus of fans from Raleigh coming to watch games here. But I think you will have some fans who are hooked on hockey who will attend our games because it's the only alternative right now."

As such, MacNaught said the FireAntz plan to explore the possibility of expanding their marketing effort outside the Cape Fear region into Raleigh.

Rather than launching an all-out advertising blitz that would end up costing more than it brought in, MacNaught said that his team would probably concentrate on a strategy specifically targeting Carolina Hurricanes season-ticket holders.

He said the FireAntz won't get carried away trying to take advantage of the situation. And he isn't taking it for granted that the Hurricanes' unexpected hiatus will turn into a financial windfall in Fayetteville.

"You never know what's going to happen," he said. "The Hurricanes give hockey in North Carolina a higher profile, which helps us. Without that for an extended period of time, it could end up hurting us, too."

One thing that definitely won't be hurt is the level of talent available to the FireAntz and other lower level minor league teams.

On Wednesday, only hours before the NHL lockout went into effect, the Hurricanes sent 13 of their younger players - including former No. 1 draft choice Eric Staal - down to their American Hockey League affiliate in Lowell, Mass. It's a strategy mirrored by other NHL organizations.

Because those players are not bound by the lockout, others will have to be demoted to the ECHL or released to make room for them on AHL rosters.

That, said FireAntz coach Derek Booth, will deepen the talent pool for teams in the Central, United and Southern Professional leagues.

"There are going to be a lot of guys on the bubble who are going to have to start looking around for jobs soon," Booth said.

"The good thing is that I'm going on a recruiting trip to several (CHL and UHL) camps at the start of October, so some of them will be right there for me."

Although the FireAntz might get some better players out of the deal, current FireAntz, such as David Bagley, might be hindered by fewer available jobs in higher leagues.

"It could be a bad thing if you're looking to move up," said Bagley, who played several games with the Florence Pride last season. "But it's too soon to tell."

Even though Booth figures to take advantage of the trickle down caused by the lockout, he said he hopes the labor dispute is settled quickly.

"Hockey is a great sport and a great sport to be part of, and the last thing I want to see is for it to be hurt in any way," Booth said.

"The NHL is the highest level of hockey in the world. I don't think anyone, even the players and owners, really wants to see them stop playing."

Staff writer Brett Friedlander can be reached at friedlanderb@fayetevillenc.com or 486-3513.

[Canesluver]

Great find! Thanks for posting.

Here's the Fire Antz schedule (http://www.fireantzhockey.com/schedule.shtml).

You know what's interesting about this league, the SPHL? All their games are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It's almost set-up so the players could have a day job at Dairy Queen or something!! :lol:

Seriously though, it's set-up to be a great weekend's entertainment. My brother lives in Columbus, GA, home of SPHL's Cottomouths. He said he read in his paper that the SPHL has eliminated the center red line, and in the case of overtime, if there's still a tie at the end of overtime, the game will be decided in a shoot-out. Also, no points for a tie.

[Canesluver]

Great find! Thanks for posting.

Here's the Fire Antz schedule (http://www.fireantzhockey.com/schedule.shtml).

You know what's interesting about this league, the SPHL? All their games are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It's almost set-up so the players could have a day job at Dairy Queen or something!! :lol:

Seriously though, it's set-up to be a great weekend's entertainment. My brother lives in Columbus, GA, home of SPHL's Cottomouths. He said he read in his paper that the SPHL has eliminated the center red line, and in the case of overtime, if there's still a tie at the end of overtime, the game will be decided in a shoot-out. Also, no points for a tie.

[nccanes]

You know what's interesting about this league, the SPHL? All their games are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It's almost set-up so the players could have a day job at Dairy Queen or something!! :lol:


:lol:

I'm starting to get this vision of blobs of people waking into various small arenas around the mid-atlantic wearing Hurricanes jerseys and the locals whispering "there they are - the NHL STHs gracing with us with their presence since they're millionaires can't get along" and rolling their eyes. :lol:

[nccanes]

You know what's interesting about this league, the SPHL? All their games are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It's almost set-up so the players could have a day job at Dairy Queen or something!! :lol:


:lol:

I'm starting to get this vision of blobs of people waking into various small arenas around the mid-atlantic wearing Hurricanes jerseys and the locals whispering "there they are - the NHL STHs gracing with us with their presence since they're millionaires can't get along" and rolling their eyes. :lol:

[Anonymous]

as a long time lurker here I'm going to come out and say you're welcome to come to some Antz Hockey. My wife and I are 4 year mini-plan season ticket holders from Fayetteville. We cut our hockey teeth on the Fayetteville Force graduating to the Canes in 2001-2002. Good timing huh...? Since our miniplan tickets gave us rights to buy playoff tickets we decided we would go as far as the Canes did that year. We won't talk about the last two years.

As an FYI, we can get to the RBC Center in about 75-80 minutes from exit 41 on I-95 so the reverse should be true. While the Crown is not the RBC Center and the Antz aren't the Canes, the hockey can still be entertaining. Lot more fights...! and it beats the alternative of no hockey. Come on down...

[Anonymous]

as a long time lurker here I'm going to come out and say you're welcome to come to some Antz Hockey. My wife and I are 4 year mini-plan season ticket holders from Fayetteville. We cut our hockey teeth on the Fayetteville Force graduating to the Canes in 2001-2002. Good timing huh...? Since our miniplan tickets gave us rights to buy playoff tickets we decided we would go as far as the Canes did that year. We won't talk about the last two years.

As an FYI, we can get to the RBC Center in about 75-80 minutes from exit 41 on I-95 so the reverse should be true. While the Crown is not the RBC Center and the Antz aren't the Canes, the hockey can still be entertaining. Lot more fights...! and it beats the alternative of no hockey. Come on down...

[CaniacManiac]

We're moving back to Fayettenam next month after having lived in Raleigh for almost 6 years and being close enough to go to FireAntz games on a regular basis is a definite bright spot for the move. Going to miss the Triangle but will be back up here as often as possible for as many Canes games as we can once they start the season.

If any one knows of someone down in in Fayetteville that needs a good Payroll/HR person, please let me know. That's the bad part of moving back there, not too many decent jobs with decent pay.

Hope to see some of you LGCer's down at the Crown.

[CaniacManiac]

We're moving back to Fayettenam next month after having lived in Raleigh for almost 6 years and being close enough to go to FireAntz games on a regular basis is a definite bright spot for the move. Going to miss the Triangle but will be back up here as often as possible for as many Canes games as we can once they start the season.

If any one knows of someone down in in Fayetteville that needs a good Payroll/HR person, please let me know. That's the bad part of moving back there, not too many decent jobs with decent pay.

Hope to see some of you LGCer's down at the Crown.

[Mona]

as a long time lurker here I'm going to come out and say you're welcome to come to some Antz Hockey. My wife and I are 4 year mini-plan season ticket holders from Fayetteville. We cut our hockey teeth on the Fayetteville Force graduating to the Canes in 2001-2002. Good timing huh...? Since our miniplan tickets gave us rights to buy playoff tickets we decided we would go as far as the Canes did that year. We won't talk about the last two years.

As an FYI, we can get to the RBC Center in about 75-80 minutes from exit 41 on I-95 so the reverse should be true. While the Crown is not the RBC Center and the Antz aren't the Canes, the hockey can still be entertaining. Lot more fights...! and it beats the alternative of no hockey. Come on down...

Thanks for the gracious invite. I am sure there are several of us that will take you up on it. :)

[Mona]

as a long time lurker here I'm going to come out and say you're welcome to come to some Antz Hockey. My wife and I are 4 year mini-plan season ticket holders from Fayetteville. We cut our hockey teeth on the Fayetteville Force graduating to the Canes in 2001-2002. Good timing huh...? Since our miniplan tickets gave us rights to buy playoff tickets we decided we would go as far as the Canes did that year. We won't talk about the last two years.

As an FYI, we can get to the RBC Center in about 75-80 minutes from exit 41 on I-95 so the reverse should be true. While the Crown is not the RBC Center and the Antz aren't the Canes, the hockey can still be entertaining. Lot more fights...! and it beats the alternative of no hockey. Come on down...

Thanks for the gracious invite. I am sure there are several of us that will take you up on it. :)

[puck_it]

you lurker! :p dont lurk be part of the boards :-)

[puck_it]

you lurker! :p dont lurk be part of the boards :-)

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

WRAL just did a little thing about the Antz. Said the Canes booster club is planning a trip to watch them play. Mostly talked about how they hate it for the game, but are happy they'll probably get more fans during the lockout.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

WRAL just did a little thing about the Antz. Said the Canes booster club is planning a trip to watch them play. Mostly talked about how they hate it for the game, but are happy they'll probably get more fans during the lockout.

[nccanes]

I missed the news story, but this is from the WRAL site.

Fayetteville Fire Antz Ready To Help Fans Get Over NHL Lockout
Home Opener For Antz Scheduled For Oct. 29

POSTED: 2:41 pm EDT October 1, 2004
UPDATED: 6:12 pm EDT October 1, 2004

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Replays may be all you see of the Carolina Hurricanes this season, but an NHL lockout does not mean fans have to be locked out of the game.


The NHL lockout does not mean Carolina Hurricanes fans have to be left out in the cold. The Fayetteville Fire Antz hopes to draw some support from Canes' fans.


"The fans in Raleigh have enveloped the team and become passionate about the sport. It's a long winter without that passion, so these fans are going to look for a place to go," said Darren McLean, of the Fayetteville Fire Antz.

The Fayetteville Fire Antz are part of the Southern Professional Hockey League. At the Crown Coliseum, the dashers are going up. The ice will go down in a week. The Antz are getting ready for opening night.

The team believes the NHL lockout will bring Triangle hockey fans to Fayetteville.

"Selfishly, it's good for us, but terrible for the sport," McLean said.

The team thinks its roster will benefit as well. Through the trickle-down effect, some Double-A players will now be available to play.

The Hurricane Boosters Club is planning a road trip. Other Triangle fans are calling for the Antz schedule. Antz fans see an opportunity for their team to score.

"I think once someone comes out and experiences the game and crowds, they will fall in love with it like I have and hopefully, it will increase crowd size for us," Antz fan Bill Strickland said.

The home opener for the Antz is Oct. 29. Tickets range from $11 to $16.

[nccanes]

I missed the news story, but this is from the WRAL site.

Fayetteville Fire Antz Ready To Help Fans Get Over NHL Lockout
Home Opener For Antz Scheduled For Oct. 29

POSTED: 2:41 pm EDT October 1, 2004
UPDATED: 6:12 pm EDT October 1, 2004

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Replays may be all you see of the Carolina Hurricanes this season, but an NHL lockout does not mean fans have to be locked out of the game.


The NHL lockout does not mean Carolina Hurricanes fans have to be left out in the cold. The Fayetteville Fire Antz hopes to draw some support from Canes' fans.


"The fans in Raleigh have enveloped the team and become passionate about the sport. It's a long winter without that passion, so these fans are going to look for a place to go," said Darren McLean, of the Fayetteville Fire Antz.

The Fayetteville Fire Antz are part of the Southern Professional Hockey League. At the Crown Coliseum, the dashers are going up. The ice will go down in a week. The Antz are getting ready for opening night.

The team believes the NHL lockout will bring Triangle hockey fans to Fayetteville.

"Selfishly, it's good for us, but terrible for the sport," McLean said.

The team thinks its roster will benefit as well. Through the trickle-down effect, some Double-A players will now be available to play.

The Hurricane Boosters Club is planning a road trip. Other Triangle fans are calling for the Antz schedule. Antz fans see an opportunity for their team to score.

"I think once someone comes out and experiences the game and crowds, they will fall in love with it like I have and hopefully, it will increase crowd size for us," Antz fan Bill Strickland said.

The home opener for the Antz is Oct. 29. Tickets range from $11 to $16.

[NHLCanes]

I've been hearing that WRAL was planning coverage of the Fireantz while the lockout is going on. How much remains to be seen.

I'm also hearing that the Fireantz have been able to get some guys who would ordinarily be playing in the ECHL, but are being forced down because of the lockout. This would make sense, but I guess it's just another case of seeing what happens. The team is keeping pretty quiet on signings.

[NHLCanes]

I've been hearing that WRAL was planning coverage of the Fireantz while the lockout is going on. How much remains to be seen.

I'm also hearing that the Fireantz have been able to get some guys who would ordinarily be playing in the ECHL, but are being forced down because of the lockout. This would make sense, but I guess it's just another case of seeing what happens. The team is keeping pretty quiet on signings.

[NHLCanes]

October 21, 2004 - [FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] – The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) announced Thursday that the club will be playing in an intrasquad game on Wednesday, October 27th at 7:30 at the Cleland Ice Rink on Ft. Bragg.

The “Fire On Ice” game will be a unique opportunity for fans to come see the FireAntz battle against each other to make the team. With the NHL lockout and reallocation of players throughout the various levels of minor league hockey, there are 30 players expected in camp, which begins on October 25th. The roster limit for the SPHL is 18 players.


“There will be a much higher level of intensity in the ‘Fire On Ice’ game than a normal exhibition game.” Head Coach Derek Booth said, “Guys are competing for their jobs and it will produce an exciting atmosphere.”


Tickets for the game can be bought at the door for $5. There will be no pre-sale. Doors open at 6:45 for the 7:30 game and tickets will be sold on a first-come first-serve basis. It is recommended that fans arrive early for the game, as seating is limited.


SEASON TICKET HOLDERS: Season Tickets books will be available for pick-up on Monday, October 25th from 5-7 pm and Tuesday, October 26th also from 5-7 pm. Season ticket holders may come by the FireAntz office located at 220 A. North McPherson Church Road in Fayetteville, located next to the Olive Garden.


Season tickets, mini-plans and group tickets for the 2004-05 season are now available. Great seat locations still remain. Contact the FireAntz office at (910) 321-0123 for more information.

The Fireantz start the regular season at home Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 (Friday and Saturday) at 7:35 p.m. Any of you planning to attend either of these games?

[NHLCanes]

October 21, 2004 - [FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] – The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) announced Thursday that the club will be playing in an intrasquad game on Wednesday, October 27th at 7:30 at the Cleland Ice Rink on Ft. Bragg.

The “Fire On Ice” game will be a unique opportunity for fans to come see the FireAntz battle against each other to make the team. With the NHL lockout and reallocation of players throughout the various levels of minor league hockey, there are 30 players expected in camp, which begins on October 25th. The roster limit for the SPHL is 18 players.


“There will be a much higher level of intensity in the ‘Fire On Ice’ game than a normal exhibition game.” Head Coach Derek Booth said, “Guys are competing for their jobs and it will produce an exciting atmosphere.”


Tickets for the game can be bought at the door for $5. There will be no pre-sale. Doors open at 6:45 for the 7:30 game and tickets will be sold on a first-come first-serve basis. It is recommended that fans arrive early for the game, as seating is limited.


SEASON TICKET HOLDERS: Season Tickets books will be available for pick-up on Monday, October 25th from 5-7 pm and Tuesday, October 26th also from 5-7 pm. Season ticket holders may come by the FireAntz office located at 220 A. North McPherson Church Road in Fayetteville, located next to the Olive Garden.


Season tickets, mini-plans and group tickets for the 2004-05 season are now available. Great seat locations still remain. Contact the FireAntz office at (910) 321-0123 for more information.

The Fireantz start the regular season at home Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 (Friday and Saturday) at 7:35 p.m. Any of you planning to attend either of these games?

[NHLCanes]

Jorge Alves - is this the guy who fills in during Canes practice sometimes?

FireAntz open training camp


By Brett Friedlander
Staff writer



Some members of the Fayetteville FireAntz got a head start on the 2004-05 season this weekend by skating a few hours with a local youth team.

It was an opportunity for the players, including a few familiar faces, to get limbered up and have a little fun before training camp opens today.

This morning at the Crown Coliseum, the fun ends and the work begins.

With 30 players in camp and just four days to evaluate them before Friday's Southern Professional Hockey League opener against Asheville, there's plenty of work for the FireAntz to do.

"It's going to be difficult, because we've got a good bunch of hard-working players," rookie coach Derek Booth said. "I don't want to release players, but that's part of the job. With camp being so short, they're going to have to show me what they've got right away."

In order to give everyone in camp a fair shot, Booth has broken his squad into two groups of 15 players. Each will practice for about an hour this morning, before facing off against each other in an intra-squad scrimmage Booth added to the schedule Sunday.

There is also an intra-squad game scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. That game, to be played at Fort Bragg's Cleland Multipurpose Sports Center, is open to the public. Admission is $5.

"When you have 30 players, too many guys end up standing around getting cold, so it's a lot better to have a Team A and Team B," Booth said. "It opens up more room on the ice, plus it gives me a better chance to see what they can do in a game situation."

SPHL rules allow teams to carry 20 players for the opening weekend of the season. The rosters will then be cut to 17, with a maximum of three veterans with at least 200 games of professional experience.

Among the players vying for those positions are seven who spent at least part of last season with the FireAntz. They are David Bagley, who led the team with 28 goals, forwards Jamie Muswagon, Matt Shannon and R.J. Roy, and defensemen Mike Fournier and Brett Naugle.

Other notable names on the roster include former Fayetteville Force favorite Nathan Grobins, one of five goalies in camp, veteran Steve Roberts, who once scored 47 goals in a season for Dayton of the ECHL, veteran defenseman Andrew Dickson and tough guy Donald Milburn, who racked up 347 penalty minutes in 58 games as a junior two seasons ago.

Booth said he is anticipating a few more arrivals in the next few days.

Booth said the added competition will benefit the FireAntz in the long run.

"We've got more than I expected, but I'm happy with all the players I brought in," he said. "With the NHL lockout, this is an unusual year. It's tough to turn away guys who are in their second and third year, all experienced in the UHL and CHL. Having them here is going to raise the level of my training camp."


FIREANTZ TRAINING CAMP ROSTER

Goalies

Jorge, Alves (N.C. State); Rajeev Bhangoo, 5-10, 170, Caledon, Ont. (Wentworth College); Nathan Grobins, 5-11, 180, Houston, B.C. (Wichita-CHL); Tim Knudsen, 6-0, 225, Kitchner, Ont. (Missouri-UHL), Anthony Marshall, 6-5, 190, North York, Ont. (Portage-MJHL).

Forwards

David Bagley, 5-10, 165, Rochester, N.Y. (FireAntz); Jeff Coulter, 6-0, 198, Imperial, Sask. (Alabama-WHA2); Trent Dickson, 6-1, 205, Stony Plain, Alb. (Memphis-CHL); Chris Duggan, 6-0, 185, Woodville, Ont. (FireAntz); Rob Martin, 5-10, 185, Pickering, Ont. (Canisius College); Donald Milburn, 5-9, 195, Hudson Bay, Hudson Bay, Sask. (Yorkton Terriers-SJHL); Caleb Moffat, 6-0, 185, Peachtree City, Ga. (Prince George-BCHL); Jamie Muswagon, 6-0, 175, Cross Lake, Man. (FireAntz); Steve Roberts, 5-11, 190, Saskatoon, Sask. (San Angelo-CHL); Brent Rumble, 6-1, 200, Blenheim, Ont. (Kalamazoo-UHL); R.J. Roy, 5-10, 190, Ottawa, Ont. (FireAntz); Matt Shannon, 6-1, 210, Miramichi, NB (FireAntz); Adam Solnik, 6-1, 195, Etobicoke, Ont. (Rockford-UHL); Darcy Weaselhead, Lethbridge, Alb. (Winkler Flyers-MJHL); Chris Welch (Elmira-UHL). 5-11, 185, Tonowanda, N.Y. (Elmira-UHL). Dean Jackson, 5-10, 185, Elmira, N.Y. (Elmira-UHL)

Defensemen

Daryl Dallman (N.F. Junior B); Andrew Dickson, 6-1, 190, Ottawa, Ont. (Adirondack-UHL); Joe Dustin, 6-0, 200, Vadnais Heights, Minn. (Rockford-UHL); Stephen Margeson, 6-3, 205, Banff, Alb. (Memphis-CHL); Dan McNeill, 6-3, 190, Toronto, Ont. (Tulsa-CHL); Brett Naugle, 6-0, 185, Sewickley, Pa. (FireAntz); Josh Young, 5-11, 210, Orilla, Ont. (Campbelton-Maritime Jr. A). Mike Fournier, 6-4, 220, Charlton, Mass. (Orlando-WHA2)

[NHLCanes]

Jorge Alves - is this the guy who fills in during Canes practice sometimes?

FireAntz open training camp


By Brett Friedlander
Staff writer



Some members of the Fayetteville FireAntz got a head start on the 2004-05 season this weekend by skating a few hours with a local youth team.

It was an opportunity for the players, including a few familiar faces, to get limbered up and have a little fun before training camp opens today.

This morning at the Crown Coliseum, the fun ends and the work begins.

With 30 players in camp and just four days to evaluate them before Friday's Southern Professional Hockey League opener against Asheville, there's plenty of work for the FireAntz to do.

"It's going to be difficult, because we've got a good bunch of hard-working players," rookie coach Derek Booth said. "I don't want to release players, but that's part of the job. With camp being so short, they're going to have to show me what they've got right away."

In order to give everyone in camp a fair shot, Booth has broken his squad into two groups of 15 players. Each will practice for about an hour this morning, before facing off against each other in an intra-squad scrimmage Booth added to the schedule Sunday.

There is also an intra-squad game scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. That game, to be played at Fort Bragg's Cleland Multipurpose Sports Center, is open to the public. Admission is $5.

"When you have 30 players, too many guys end up standing around getting cold, so it's a lot better to have a Team A and Team B," Booth said. "It opens up more room on the ice, plus it gives me a better chance to see what they can do in a game situation."

SPHL rules allow teams to carry 20 players for the opening weekend of the season. The rosters will then be cut to 17, with a maximum of three veterans with at least 200 games of professional experience.

Among the players vying for those positions are seven who spent at least part of last season with the FireAntz. They are David Bagley, who led the team with 28 goals, forwards Jamie Muswagon, Matt Shannon and R.J. Roy, and defensemen Mike Fournier and Brett Naugle.

Other notable names on the roster include former Fayetteville Force favorite Nathan Grobins, one of five goalies in camp, veteran Steve Roberts, who once scored 47 goals in a season for Dayton of the ECHL, veteran defenseman Andrew Dickson and tough guy Donald Milburn, who racked up 347 penalty minutes in 58 games as a junior two seasons ago.

Booth said he is anticipating a few more arrivals in the next few days.

Booth said the added competition will benefit the FireAntz in the long run.

"We've got more than I expected, but I'm happy with all the players I brought in," he said. "With the NHL lockout, this is an unusual year. It's tough to turn away guys who are in their second and third year, all experienced in the UHL and CHL. Having them here is going to raise the level of my training camp."


FIREANTZ TRAINING CAMP ROSTER

Goalies

Jorge, Alves (N.C. State); Rajeev Bhangoo, 5-10, 170, Caledon, Ont. (Wentworth College); Nathan Grobins, 5-11, 180, Houston, B.C. (Wichita-CHL); Tim Knudsen, 6-0, 225, Kitchner, Ont. (Missouri-UHL), Anthony Marshall, 6-5, 190, North York, Ont. (Portage-MJHL).

Forwards

David Bagley, 5-10, 165, Rochester, N.Y. (FireAntz); Jeff Coulter, 6-0, 198, Imperial, Sask. (Alabama-WHA2); Trent Dickson, 6-1, 205, Stony Plain, Alb. (Memphis-CHL); Chris Duggan, 6-0, 185, Woodville, Ont. (FireAntz); Rob Martin, 5-10, 185, Pickering, Ont. (Canisius College); Donald Milburn, 5-9, 195, Hudson Bay, Hudson Bay, Sask. (Yorkton Terriers-SJHL); Caleb Moffat, 6-0, 185, Peachtree City, Ga. (Prince George-BCHL); Jamie Muswagon, 6-0, 175, Cross Lake, Man. (FireAntz); Steve Roberts, 5-11, 190, Saskatoon, Sask. (San Angelo-CHL); Brent Rumble, 6-1, 200, Blenheim, Ont. (Kalamazoo-UHL); R.J. Roy, 5-10, 190, Ottawa, Ont. (FireAntz); Matt Shannon, 6-1, 210, Miramichi, NB (FireAntz); Adam Solnik, 6-1, 195, Etobicoke, Ont. (Rockford-UHL); Darcy Weaselhead, Lethbridge, Alb. (Winkler Flyers-MJHL); Chris Welch (Elmira-UHL). 5-11, 185, Tonowanda, N.Y. (Elmira-UHL). Dean Jackson, 5-10, 185, Elmira, N.Y. (Elmira-UHL)

Defensemen

Daryl Dallman (N.F. Junior B); Andrew Dickson, 6-1, 190, Ottawa, Ont. (Adirondack-UHL); Joe Dustin, 6-0, 200, Vadnais Heights, Minn. (Rockford-UHL); Stephen Margeson, 6-3, 205, Banff, Alb. (Memphis-CHL); Dan McNeill, 6-3, 190, Toronto, Ont. (Tulsa-CHL); Brett Naugle, 6-0, 185, Sewickley, Pa. (FireAntz); Josh Young, 5-11, 210, Orilla, Ont. (Campbelton-Maritime Jr. A). Mike Fournier, 6-4, 220, Charlton, Mass. (Orlando-WHA2)

[puck_it]

yup... jorge and bubba...

but i beleive i heard jorge was hurt

[puck_it]

yup... jorge and bubba...

but i beleive i heard jorge was hurt

[CaniacManiac]

Fireantz opening night is this Friday. Anyone going to the game? You can't beat the prices. We've got 2nd row center ice for $16 each. I think season tickets are something like $400 for center ice lower level.

Caniac Maniac

[CaniacManiac]

Fireantz opening night is this Friday. Anyone going to the game? You can't beat the prices. We've got 2nd row center ice for $16 each. I think season tickets are something like $400 for center ice lower level.

Caniac Maniac

[NHLCanes]

Jorge played tonight in the scrimmage at Ft. Bragg (at least according to the list it was him - no names on the jerseys), and I thought he did pretty well. I've no clue what his chances are for making the team, but I thought he gave himself a good shot at making it. I'm really looking forward to Friday night - finally some hockey (and not just on television)!

[NHLCanes]

Jorge played tonight in the scrimmage at Ft. Bragg (at least according to the list it was him - no names on the jerseys), and I thought he did pretty well. I've no clue what his chances are for making the team, but I thought he gave himself a good shot at making it. I'm really looking forward to Friday night - finally some hockey (and not just on television)!

[goalie33]

Irbe-size = Jorge :D.

[goalie33]

Irbe-size = Jorge :D.

[NHLCanes]

Irbe-size = Jorge :D.

Yeah, I think it was Jorge then!

[NHLCanes]

Irbe-size = Jorge :D.

Yeah, I think it was Jorge then!

[nccanes]

I'd love to go, but plans will interfere on both nights. Not sure when I'll get down there, but looking forward to it.

[nccanes]

I'd love to go, but plans will interfere on both nights. Not sure when I'll get down there, but looking forward to it.

[Mona]

Irbe-size = Jorge :D.

Yeah, I think it was Jorge then!

Jorge is built like Archie.. that was my first thought. I think that Jorge is actually shorter than Arch though.. :)

[Mona]

Irbe-size = Jorge :D.

Yeah, I think it was Jorge then!

Jorge is built like Archie.. that was my first thought. I think that Jorge is actually shorter than Arch though.. :)

[NHLCanes]

Turns out it wasn't Jorge last night after all, despite his name being on the roster. Found out this morning that it was Chad (?) Collins who is also a little guy like Archie.

[NHLCanes]

Turns out it wasn't Jorge last night after all, despite his name being on the roster. Found out this morning that it was Chad (?) Collins who is also a little guy like Archie.

[Anonymous]

[FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] – The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) have announced that individual game tickets go on sale beginning Tuesday, October 12, 2004. Fans may buy tickets for any FireAntz game for the entire season, based upon availability.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com . Fans may also go to the Crown Coliseum box office or call (910) 323-5088.

The FireAntz also have announced the signing of forward Jason Bone. Bone, a 6’1’’ 215 pound forward out of Keeseekoowenenin, Manitoba becomes the 14 th player signed thus far by the club.

Last year, playing for the Verdun Dragons of the Quebec Senior Major Hockey League (QSMHL) Bone registered one goal and 215 penalty minutes in 36 games. In the two seasons prior to that playing for the Adirondack IceHawks of the United Hockey League (UHL), he had one goal, four assists and 502 penalty minutes in 99 games played.

“Jason wants to hone his skills and I feel this will be an excellent place for him to do that.” Head Coach Derek Booth said, “He also brings an element of toughness that will be a welcome addition to the team.”

Season tickets, mini-plans and group tickets for the 2004-05 season are now available. Great seat locations still remain. Contact the FireAntz office at (910) 321-0123 for more information.

FireAntz Hockey: Fire On Ice

I am planning on going to a couple of games just to see him! :beatup: :beatup:

[Anonymous]

[FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] – The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) have announced that individual game tickets go on sale beginning Tuesday, October 12, 2004. Fans may buy tickets for any FireAntz game for the entire season, based upon availability.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com . Fans may also go to the Crown Coliseum box office or call (910) 323-5088.

The FireAntz also have announced the signing of forward Jason Bone. Bone, a 6’1’’ 215 pound forward out of Keeseekoowenenin, Manitoba becomes the 14 th player signed thus far by the club.

Last year, playing for the Verdun Dragons of the Quebec Senior Major Hockey League (QSMHL) Bone registered one goal and 215 penalty minutes in 36 games. In the two seasons prior to that playing for the Adirondack IceHawks of the United Hockey League (UHL), he had one goal, four assists and 502 penalty minutes in 99 games played.

“Jason wants to hone his skills and I feel this will be an excellent place for him to do that.” Head Coach Derek Booth said, “He also brings an element of toughness that will be a welcome addition to the team.”

Season tickets, mini-plans and group tickets for the 2004-05 season are now available. Great seat locations still remain. Contact the FireAntz office at (910) 321-0123 for more information.

FireAntz Hockey: Fire On Ice

I am planning on going to a couple of games just to see him! :beatup: :beatup:

[MeanGene]

I was somehow a guest above. I did not know that Guests could post. :spin:

[MeanGene]

I was somehow a guest above. I did not know that Guests could post. :spin:

[NHLCanes]

Fayetteville 01/30/05 ADD Alves, Jorge (G) signed contract

Thought some of you might be interested to know that Jorge has been signed by the Fireantz. Goalie Glen Ridler (and around 7 other league players) are having visa problems and can't play. I'm not sure if this is temporary yet or for the rest of the season.

[NHLCanes]

Fayetteville 01/30/05 ADD Alves, Jorge (G) signed contract

Thought some of you might be interested to know that Jorge has been signed by the Fireantz. Goalie Glen Ridler (and around 7 other league players) are having visa problems and can't play. I'm not sure if this is temporary yet or for the rest of the season.

[Mona]

Hurray Jorge!! :nanner: Thanks for letting us know. :)

[Mona]

Hurray Jorge!! :nanner: Thanks for letting us know. :)

[puck_it]

Fayetteville 01/30/05 ADD Alves, Jorge (G) signed contract

Thought some of you might be interested to know that Jorge has been signed by the Fireantz. Goalie Glen Ridler (and around 7 other league players) are having visa problems and can't play. I'm not sure if this is temporary yet or for the rest of the season.

should swithc to american express :p

[puck_it]

Fayetteville 01/30/05 ADD Alves, Jorge (G) signed contract

Thought some of you might be interested to know that Jorge has been signed by the Fireantz. Goalie Glen Ridler (and around 7 other league players) are having visa problems and can't play. I'm not sure if this is temporary yet or for the rest of the season.

should swithc to american express :p

[nccanes]

It's a big problem in the ECHL. Shane Hnidy (of the Predators) is having the same problems down in Florida with the Everblades. Shane must like it there because he is going to stay on and train with the team and help the coaching staff.

[nccanes]

It's a big problem in the ECHL. Shane Hnidy (of the Predators) is having the same problems down in Florida with the Everblades. Shane must like it there because he is going to stay on and train with the team and help the coaching staff.

[goalie33]

This is the first I've seen of this kind of thing in the US (I admittedly don't keep up with that sort of thing), but it's a *big* problem for our athletes going to play in the big leagues overseas. Bobby Convey is an up-and-comer on the US National soccer team, but because he hadn't played in a majority of the team's games over the past few years, the UK wouldn't give him a work permit to play in the English Premier League.

[goalie33]

This is the first I've seen of this kind of thing in the US (I admittedly don't keep up with that sort of thing), but it's a *big* problem for our athletes going to play in the big leagues overseas. Bobby Convey is an up-and-comer on the US National soccer team, but because he hadn't played in a majority of the team's games over the past few years, the UK wouldn't give him a work permit to play in the English Premier League.

[Mona]

So how are the players allowed to live in a particular country? For instance, what do Joe and Co. need to stay here and play? Do they have a work Visa ...a green card??

[Mona]

So how are the players allowed to live in a particular country? For instance, what do Joe and Co. need to stay here and play? Do they have a work Visa ...a green card??

[NHLCanes]

From what I've read, the NHL players use a P-1 work visa and the minor leaguers use the H-2B which is a temporary 12 month work visa. I think the P-1 is good for 3 years. I'm not sure about AHL players as some of them play in the NHL and some are not contracted to NHL teams - maybe they have both? The H-2B reached its quota in the first few days of Jan. of this year and no more will be issued until Oct. 1.

Hnidey can't play because he has the P-1 and can't get the H-2B (because they won't issue anymore) he needs to play in the ECHL. Eric Boulton is also Canadian but his wife and children are US citizens so he's exempt because he's allowed to work to support his family.

We don't know what the problem is with our league's players. Some of these guys have been here for months (a couple since the start of the season), and it seems like they should be allowed to renew their visas without exceeding the quota since they should already be included in the quota numbers. It's all very confusing and nobody seems quite clear on exactly what will happen. I don't know if it's true but I've heard something like 100 AHL players might be effected. This could turn into a huge mess!

[NHLCanes]

From what I've read, the NHL players use a P-1 work visa and the minor leaguers use the H-2B which is a temporary 12 month work visa. I think the P-1 is good for 3 years. I'm not sure about AHL players as some of them play in the NHL and some are not contracted to NHL teams - maybe they have both? The H-2B reached its quota in the first few days of Jan. of this year and no more will be issued until Oct. 1.

Hnidey can't play because he has the P-1 and can't get the H-2B (because they won't issue anymore) he needs to play in the ECHL. Eric Boulton is also Canadian but his wife and children are US citizens so he's exempt because he's allowed to work to support his family.

We don't know what the problem is with our league's players. Some of these guys have been here for months (a couple since the start of the season), and it seems like they should be allowed to renew their visas without exceeding the quota since they should already be included in the quota numbers. It's all very confusing and nobody seems quite clear on exactly what will happen. I don't know if it's true but I've heard something like 100 AHL players might be effected. This could turn into a huge mess!

[nccanes]

From ECHL.com

Visa Issues Affecting ECHL Teams
January 14, 2005

By Ed Reed
The News-Press
ESTERO, Fla. - Shane Hnidy rates his chance of playing for the ECHL's Florida Everblades again this season as a sliver.

That's more of a chance than any other foreign-born players trying to join a minor-league hockey team in the United States this season.

The ECHL was informed last week that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had reached its 66,000 cap on distributing H-2B working visas on Jan. 3. No new visas will be issued until Oct. 1 of this year.

The H-2B visa allows for temporary work, less than 12 months, in a variety of professional fields and is the visa all United States-based minor hockey leagues use for their players.

For ECHL teams it means they cannot sign foreign-born players who do not have a pre-existing H-2B visas to play this season.

"It limits everybody's options," Florida general manager Craig Brush said. "We're fortunate to have as many players as we've got."

ECHL vice president of hockey operations Rod Pasma said the visas are not a league issue, but an immigration issue and there is nothing it can do this season. He expects it to especially hurt foreign college and junior hockey players who normally sign with ECHL teams when their seasons end in February and March.

"There are a lot of other businesses out there affected, not just us," Pasma said. "It doesn't look good for any player who isn't currently on an H-2B."

That includes Hnidy, a native of Manitoba, Canada. The Nashville Predators defenseman had a working visa, a P-1, as a foreign player in the NHL. But with the NHL on lockout, his visa is not recognized. He did not learn that until Jan. 7.

"It's very disappointing," said Hnidy, who has played seven games for Florida. "It's not how I wanted it to be. Now I'll just wait until we've totally exhausted any sliver of hope.

"If the NHL doesn't start, I came down here to be part of this team. I don't really want to leave. The only place I said I'd leave for is Nashville."

Pasma said teams faced a similar problem last season when the visa limit was reached in March, but it happened so late it didn't really matter.

"It caught us by surprise last year in early March, so you can imagine our surprise when we got a call in early January from our immigration attorneys," Pasma said. "We weren't surprised the cap was reached, but we were surprised by how early it was reached."

Pasma said the ECHL did have a conference call with other pro leagues in the United States, including the NHL and the American Hockey League, over the summer to discuss the possibility of visas running out sooner this season. The NHL and AHL immigration lawyers looked into the issue.

"The lawyers told us we need to get it on the floor and have new legislation written," Pasma said. "Due to it being an election year (in 2004) it's a difficult battle for us because no one wanted take this on during an election year."

Brush said he has not given up totally on Hnidy. He has his lawyers still exploring if there's a way he can use his P-1 visa to play.

"That still is a gray area. That's what we're working on," Brush said.

Former Blades player and Buffalo Sabres enforcer Eric Boulton, a Canadian, has run into the same issue. After playing 15 games for the Columbia Inferno, he was told he had to sit because he was using a P-1 visa. Boulton, however, is married to an American and his two children are U.S. citizens, so Columbia has applied for work authorization for Boulton so he can support his American family.

"If he can get work authorization he'll have an opportunity to play for us again," said Columbia coach Scott White, who added Boulton will not make the trip for Saturday night's game at Germain Arena against the Blades. "Times have changed of course, so we'll see."

White does not believe the lack of visas will affect too many ECHL teams, but would not be surprised by a lot of action before the league's March 22 trade deadline.

"There are a lot of good U.S. born players out there too," White said. "It was a little early (for visas to run out), but that's the way it is. You have to be able to adjust to adversity."



I found a mention of the impact on the AHL in a news blurb, but the link is no longer working to the full story.

The interesting thing it mentioned is that if the NHL were to start again, they'd need more players to replace those moving up the food chain. With no more of the visas that the ECHL uses, it could prove extremely difficult - or a boon for US born player I suppose.

[nccanes]

From ECHL.com

Visa Issues Affecting ECHL Teams
January 14, 2005

By Ed Reed
The News-Press
ESTERO, Fla. - Shane Hnidy rates his chance of playing for the ECHL's Florida Everblades again this season as a sliver.

That's more of a chance than any other foreign-born players trying to join a minor-league hockey team in the United States this season.

The ECHL was informed last week that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had reached its 66,000 cap on distributing H-2B working visas on Jan. 3. No new visas will be issued until Oct. 1 of this year.

The H-2B visa allows for temporary work, less than 12 months, in a variety of professional fields and is the visa all United States-based minor hockey leagues use for their players.

For ECHL teams it means they cannot sign foreign-born players who do not have a pre-existing H-2B visas to play this season.

"It limits everybody's options," Florida general manager Craig Brush said. "We're fortunate to have as many players as we've got."

ECHL vice president of hockey operations Rod Pasma said the visas are not a league issue, but an immigration issue and there is nothing it can do this season. He expects it to especially hurt foreign college and junior hockey players who normally sign with ECHL teams when their seasons end in February and March.

"There are a lot of other businesses out there affected, not just us," Pasma said. "It doesn't look good for any player who isn't currently on an H-2B."

That includes Hnidy, a native of Manitoba, Canada. The Nashville Predators defenseman had a working visa, a P-1, as a foreign player in the NHL. But with the NHL on lockout, his visa is not recognized. He did not learn that until Jan. 7.

"It's very disappointing," said Hnidy, who has played seven games for Florida. "It's not how I wanted it to be. Now I'll just wait until we've totally exhausted any sliver of hope.

"If the NHL doesn't start, I came down here to be part of this team. I don't really want to leave. The only place I said I'd leave for is Nashville."

Pasma said teams faced a similar problem last season when the visa limit was reached in March, but it happened so late it didn't really matter.

"It caught us by surprise last year in early March, so you can imagine our surprise when we got a call in early January from our immigration attorneys," Pasma said. "We weren't surprised the cap was reached, but we were surprised by how early it was reached."

Pasma said the ECHL did have a conference call with other pro leagues in the United States, including the NHL and the American Hockey League, over the summer to discuss the possibility of visas running out sooner this season. The NHL and AHL immigration lawyers looked into the issue.

"The lawyers told us we need to get it on the floor and have new legislation written," Pasma said. "Due to it being an election year (in 2004) it's a difficult battle for us because no one wanted take this on during an election year."

Brush said he has not given up totally on Hnidy. He has his lawyers still exploring if there's a way he can use his P-1 visa to play.

"That still is a gray area. That's what we're working on," Brush said.

Former Blades player and Buffalo Sabres enforcer Eric Boulton, a Canadian, has run into the same issue. After playing 15 games for the Columbia Inferno, he was told he had to sit because he was using a P-1 visa. Boulton, however, is married to an American and his two children are U.S. citizens, so Columbia has applied for work authorization for Boulton so he can support his American family.

"If he can get work authorization he'll have an opportunity to play for us again," said Columbia coach Scott White, who added Boulton will not make the trip for Saturday night's game at Germain Arena against the Blades. "Times have changed of course, so we'll see."

White does not believe the lack of visas will affect too many ECHL teams, but would not be surprised by a lot of action before the league's March 22 trade deadline.

"There are a lot of good U.S. born players out there too," White said. "It was a little early (for visas to run out), but that's the way it is. You have to be able to adjust to adversity."



I found a mention of the impact on the AHL in a news blurb, but the link is no longer working to the full story.

The interesting thing it mentioned is that if the NHL were to start again, they'd need more players to replace those moving up the food chain. With no more of the visas that the ECHL uses, it could prove extremely difficult - or a boon for US born player I suppose.

[NHLCanes]

FireAntz lose Ridler to immigration issue

By Brett Friedlander
Staff writer

It had been a long day, already, with ice and freezing rain making the Fayetteville FireAntz's trip to Asheville much longer and more uncomfortable than usual.

By the time the bus finally arrived, all Glen Ridler could think about was strapping on his goalie equipment, getting onto the ice and playing hockey.

But as he headed into the FireAntz locker room to begin his pregame preparations, Ridler was stopped by coach Derek Booth and manager of hockey operations Bobby Jackson.

They had bad news.

Because of an immigration issue affecting all levels of minor league hockey, Ridler, a citizen of Canada, would no longer be able to play for the FireAntz.

"I was devastated. I still am," Ridler said Sunday at the Crown Coliseum, where he watched from the stands as the FireAntz beat the Knoxville Ice Bears. "This whole thing took me completely by surprise."

In other to join a minor league hockey team based in the U.S., all foreign-born players must apply for and be granted a temporary work visa.

Those visas, known as H-2Bs, are applicable for a variety of professional fields good for up to one year.

But the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, a bureau of the Department of Homeland Security, can only issue up to 66,000 H-2B visas each fiscal year. When the government announced that it had reached its quota on Jan. 3, no more applications could be approved.

As a result, Ridler and six other Southern Professional Hockey League players were barred from working legally in the U.S. at least until the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

"It was a shock, because now I have to tell a kid who is passionate about this game and who loves to play it that he can't play in the U.S. any more this season," Booth said. "It was difficult to do. It's very unfortunate."

Ridler, a native of St. Catherines, Ontario, played 15 games for the FireAntz last season before starting this year in England. He returned to Fayetteville on Dec. 31, going 4-1 with a 2.56 goals against average while waiting for his H-2B application to be processed.

As big a blow as losing Ridler is to the FireAntz, it could have been worse.

The Winston-Salem Polar Twins lost three players - goalie Jomar Cruz, forward Geoff Rollins and forward Justin Kot, last week's SPHL Player of the Week. Others affected are Asheville defenseman Richard Paul, Jacksonville defenseman Kristjan Jeffkins and Macon forward Chris Duggan.

SPHL commissioner Tom Coolen was informed of the H-2B freeze last week during the league's midseason meetings in Hilton Head, S.C. He immediately told his eight team owners to make sure all their players had the proper working papers.

That means for the rest of the season, the only players available as replacements are Americans or foreigners that have already been issued H-2B visas. The Department of Homeland Security can fine employers up to $10,000 for hiring workers in violation of immigration laws.

It's an issue that has created problems for all U.S. minor professional leagues, not just the SPHL.

"Basically, they've shut the door on it," Coolen said. "It's affecting everyone."

This is the second straight year in which the limit on H-2B visas has been reached before the end of the hockey season. A year ago, the FireAntz lost tough guy Bruce Watson under similar circumstances.

But the problem wasn't nearly as pronounced or widespread because it didn't occur until the season was nearly over on March 9.

The fact that the threshold of 66,000 visas was met so early this year clearly took league officials by surprise.

"Because of what happened last year, we were aware that this could be a problem again," Coolen said. "But not this soon. I guess it's just a matter of how many applications they get in a given year.

"If there's a run on the store, it's going to run out of supply. I guess this year there was just a big demand for H-2Bs."

One reason the quota may have run out so quickly is the ongoing lockout that threatens to wipe out the National Hockey League season.

In the days leading up to the work stoppage, NHL teams sent as many as a dozen of their younger players down to the American and East Coast league affiliates so that they could continue to play and develop. Most of them were on P-1 work visas, which are given to foreign workers and entertainers that display extraordinary skills.

When the NHL season did not open as scheduled, those P-1 visas were voided, forcing the players that had them to obtain the more restricted H-2B permits.

At first, the influx of those players benefited lower-level minor leagues such as the SPHL by deepening the available talent pool. But now that the limit on H-2B visas has been reached and teams in higher leagues are in need of players, the opposite is liable to be true.

"That's why we keep getting raided by the ECHL and CHL," FireAntz general manager Kevin MacNaught said. "They're losing players, too, and they can't go to Canada to get them, anymore."

Coolen said that the SPHL is taking steps to keep from losing any more of its players by sending out a letter to all other minor leagues asking them to honor its contracts. He said that the league is also considering legal action against any team that signs a SPHL player without consent of his current employer.

John Quinn, the SPHL's New York-based immigration lawyer, declined comment when contacted Monday.

According to Coolen, Quinn is doing everything he can to help the league get through the crisis. One thing the lawyers won't be able to do is appeal the government's ruling on denied H-2B applications.

The quota for H-2B visas was established in 1990, though it wasn't enforced as strictly as it has been since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"Each case is individually evaluated, but once that cap of 66,000 is reached, that's it," said State Department spokesman Lou Fintor. "It's a number that was established by an act of Congress and it's going to take an act of Congress to change it."

Such an act might be in the works. It's called the "Save our Summer" Act.

Introduced by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the intent of the legislation is to ensure that there are enough H-2B visas left to go around for the seasonal workers that come to her state each summer. But it would also provide more work permits for hockey players coming to places like Fayetteville to play in the winter.

Even if the bill is passed this year, it won't happen soon enough to allow Ridler to play for the FireAntz again this season. The young goalie plans to stick around for a few weeks before heading home and looking toward the future, perhaps even a future in Fayetteville.

"I know what kind of person Glen is and I know how good a goaltender he is," Booth said. "I'm disappointed he can't play for me now. But I know he's someone I can count on and if I'm back next year, I'd like to have him back here, too."

[NHLCanes]

FireAntz lose Ridler to immigration issue

By Brett Friedlander
Staff writer

It had been a long day, already, with ice and freezing rain making the Fayetteville FireAntz's trip to Asheville much longer and more uncomfortable than usual.

By the time the bus finally arrived, all Glen Ridler could think about was strapping on his goalie equipment, getting onto the ice and playing hockey.

But as he headed into the FireAntz locker room to begin his pregame preparations, Ridler was stopped by coach Derek Booth and manager of hockey operations Bobby Jackson.

They had bad news.

Because of an immigration issue affecting all levels of minor league hockey, Ridler, a citizen of Canada, would no longer be able to play for the FireAntz.

"I was devastated. I still am," Ridler said Sunday at the Crown Coliseum, where he watched from the stands as the FireAntz beat the Knoxville Ice Bears. "This whole thing took me completely by surprise."

In other to join a minor league hockey team based in the U.S., all foreign-born players must apply for and be granted a temporary work visa.

Those visas, known as H-2Bs, are applicable for a variety of professional fields good for up to one year.

But the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, a bureau of the Department of Homeland Security, can only issue up to 66,000 H-2B visas each fiscal year. When the government announced that it had reached its quota on Jan. 3, no more applications could be approved.

As a result, Ridler and six other Southern Professional Hockey League players were barred from working legally in the U.S. at least until the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

"It was a shock, because now I have to tell a kid who is passionate about this game and who loves to play it that he can't play in the U.S. any more this season," Booth said. "It was difficult to do. It's very unfortunate."

Ridler, a native of St. Catherines, Ontario, played 15 games for the FireAntz last season before starting this year in England. He returned to Fayetteville on Dec. 31, going 4-1 with a 2.56 goals against average while waiting for his H-2B application to be processed.

As big a blow as losing Ridler is to the FireAntz, it could have been worse.

The Winston-Salem Polar Twins lost three players - goalie Jomar Cruz, forward Geoff Rollins and forward Justin Kot, last week's SPHL Player of the Week. Others affected are Asheville defenseman Richard Paul, Jacksonville defenseman Kristjan Jeffkins and Macon forward Chris Duggan.

SPHL commissioner Tom Coolen was informed of the H-2B freeze last week during the league's midseason meetings in Hilton Head, S.C. He immediately told his eight team owners to make sure all their players had the proper working papers.

That means for the rest of the season, the only players available as replacements are Americans or foreigners that have already been issued H-2B visas. The Department of Homeland Security can fine employers up to $10,000 for hiring workers in violation of immigration laws.

It's an issue that has created problems for all U.S. minor professional leagues, not just the SPHL.

"Basically, they've shut the door on it," Coolen said. "It's affecting everyone."

This is the second straight year in which the limit on H-2B visas has been reached before the end of the hockey season. A year ago, the FireAntz lost tough guy Bruce Watson under similar circumstances.

But the problem wasn't nearly as pronounced or widespread because it didn't occur until the season was nearly over on March 9.

The fact that the threshold of 66,000 visas was met so early this year clearly took league officials by surprise.

"Because of what happened last year, we were aware that this could be a problem again," Coolen said. "But not this soon. I guess it's just a matter of how many applications they get in a given year.

"If there's a run on the store, it's going to run out of supply. I guess this year there was just a big demand for H-2Bs."

One reason the quota may have run out so quickly is the ongoing lockout that threatens to wipe out the National Hockey League season.

In the days leading up to the work stoppage, NHL teams sent as many as a dozen of their younger players down to the American and East Coast league affiliates so that they could continue to play and develop. Most of them were on P-1 work visas, which are given to foreign workers and entertainers that display extraordinary skills.

When the NHL season did not open as scheduled, those P-1 visas were voided, forcing the players that had them to obtain the more restricted H-2B permits.

At first, the influx of those players benefited lower-level minor leagues such as the SPHL by deepening the available talent pool. But now that the limit on H-2B visas has been reached and teams in higher leagues are in need of players, the opposite is liable to be true.

"That's why we keep getting raided by the ECHL and CHL," FireAntz general manager Kevin MacNaught said. "They're losing players, too, and they can't go to Canada to get them, anymore."

Coolen said that the SPHL is taking steps to keep from losing any more of its players by sending out a letter to all other minor leagues asking them to honor its contracts. He said that the league is also considering legal action against any team that signs a SPHL player without consent of his current employer.

John Quinn, the SPHL's New York-based immigration lawyer, declined comment when contacted Monday.

According to Coolen, Quinn is doing everything he can to help the league get through the crisis. One thing the lawyers won't be able to do is appeal the government's ruling on denied H-2B applications.

The quota for H-2B visas was established in 1990, though it wasn't enforced as strictly as it has been since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"Each case is individually evaluated, but once that cap of 66,000 is reached, that's it," said State Department spokesman Lou Fintor. "It's a number that was established by an act of Congress and it's going to take an act of Congress to change it."

Such an act might be in the works. It's called the "Save our Summer" Act.

Introduced by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the intent of the legislation is to ensure that there are enough H-2B visas left to go around for the seasonal workers that come to her state each summer. But it would also provide more work permits for hockey players coming to places like Fayetteville to play in the winter.

Even if the bill is passed this year, it won't happen soon enough to allow Ridler to play for the FireAntz again this season. The young goalie plans to stick around for a few weeks before heading home and looking toward the future, perhaps even a future in Fayetteville.

"I know what kind of person Glen is and I know how good a goaltender he is," Booth said. "I'm disappointed he can't play for me now. But I know he's someone I can count on and if I'm back next year, I'd like to have him back here, too."

[nccanes]

May I ask the obvious question?

So they can't play and earn a salary w/o the visa, but they can remain here in the US? From a "homeland security" standpoint (which was mentioned as the root of the issue), how exactly is that different?

This kid is going to hang around for awhile, Shane Hnidy is going to volunteer coach and train with the team. And this makes us safer how?

I realize that it's red tape and govts. are good at that, but it seems like this would be something that could be (and should have been) fixed more quickly than this - given that they knew of it early last fall (even if it took, quite literally, an "act of congress").

[nccanes]

May I ask the obvious question?

So they can't play and earn a salary w/o the visa, but they can remain here in the US? From a "homeland security" standpoint (which was mentioned as the root of the issue), how exactly is that different?

This kid is going to hang around for awhile, Shane Hnidy is going to volunteer coach and train with the team. And this makes us safer how?

I realize that it's red tape and govts. are good at that, but it seems like this would be something that could be (and should have been) fixed more quickly than this - given that they knew of it early last fall (even if it took, quite literally, an "act of congress").

[puck_it]

So they can't play and earn a salary w/o the visa, but they can remain here in the US? From a "homeland security" standpoint (which was mentioned as the root of the issue), how exactly is that different?


its more of a taking jobs from americans stand point. same thing would have happened before 9/11

[puck_it]

So they can't play and earn a salary w/o the visa, but they can remain here in the US? From a "homeland security" standpoint (which was mentioned as the root of the issue), how exactly is that different?


its more of a taking jobs from americans stand point. same thing would have happened before 9/11

[NHLCanes]

FireAntz dismayed by labor dispute


By Brett Friedlander
Staff writer


Mike Fournier has always dreamed about playing at the highest level of professional hockey. But for the first time since he became a pro, the Fayetteville FireAntz captain is glad he's not in the National Hockey League.

"It just puts a bad taste in your mouth about our sport," Fournier said Wednesday, moments after the NHL announced it had canceled the 2004-05 season because of a labor dispute.

"It's hard for me to believe that those guys love hockey as much as they say they do, then shut the game down over something as stupid as money."

While the NHL players and owners have spent the past five months squabbling over millions of dollars, the FireAntz and other minor-league teams have gone on with their seasons uninterrupted.

Some of the players in the Southern Professional Hockey League make as little as $250 a week.

That's why few of them have much sympathy for their more famous counterparts, who must now find alternative means for supporting themselves and their families.

"It's a joke," said FireAntz coach Derek Booth, who played 13 minor-league seasons without getting close to the NHL. "I think both sides are at fault.

"The players have to know that there are problems with the game that need to be fixed, but the owners keep signing these guys to that kind of money, so they must have it."

Members of the FireAntz were saddened by Wednesday's cancellation, especially since it appeared that an 11th-hour settlement might be possible.

"There's just nothing on TV at night anymore without it," leading scorer Steve Roberts said.

But as defenseman Rob Meanchoff said, the NHL's loss is the SPHL's gain.

Already this season, the Carolina Hurricanes booster club has made several group trips to Fayetteville to watch the FireAntz play at the Crown Coliseum.

"I think the NHL being out is going to strengthen minor league hockey, because it's going to bring more people to our games," he said. "Believe me, we'll take all the support we can get."


Harmful to sport

The longer the lockout continues, however, the greater harm it threatens.

"You look at what's already happening," Fournier said. "NASCAR has already surpassed hockey in popularity and to hold out much longer isn't going to help our game at all."

Now that the season has been lost, there is fear that the lockout could also delay or cancel next season. There has been talk of using replacement players to prevent that from happening.

If that's the case, several FireAntz said they wouldn't hesitate to cross the line and become "scab" players for a shot at playing in the NHL.

"I think it would be a great experience, something we've all dreamed about, so why not?" said veteran defenseman Andrew Dickson. "I guarantee you one thing, no matter what they paid us, we wouldn't complain about the money."

Staff writer Brett Friedlander can be reached at friedlanderb@fayettevillenc.com or 486-3513.

[NHLCanes]

FireAntz dismayed by labor dispute


By Brett Friedlander
Staff writer


Mike Fournier has always dreamed about playing at the highest level of professional hockey. But for the first time since he became a pro, the Fayetteville FireAntz captain is glad he's not in the National Hockey League.

"It just puts a bad taste in your mouth about our sport," Fournier said Wednesday, moments after the NHL announced it had canceled the 2004-05 season because of a labor dispute.

"It's hard for me to believe that those guys love hockey as much as they say they do, then shut the game down over something as stupid as money."

While the NHL players and owners have spent the past five months squabbling over millions of dollars, the FireAntz and other minor-league teams have gone on with their seasons uninterrupted.

Some of the players in the Southern Professional Hockey League make as little as $250 a week.

That's why few of them have much sympathy for their more famous counterparts, who must now find alternative means for supporting themselves and their families.

"It's a joke," said FireAntz coach Derek Booth, who played 13 minor-league seasons without getting close to the NHL. "I think both sides are at fault.

"The players have to know that there are problems with the game that need to be fixed, but the owners keep signing these guys to that kind of money, so they must have it."

Members of the FireAntz were saddened by Wednesday's cancellation, especially since it appeared that an 11th-hour settlement might be possible.

"There's just nothing on TV at night anymore without it," leading scorer Steve Roberts said.

But as defenseman Rob Meanchoff said, the NHL's loss is the SPHL's gain.

Already this season, the Carolina Hurricanes booster club has made several group trips to Fayetteville to watch the FireAntz play at the Crown Coliseum.

"I think the NHL being out is going to strengthen minor league hockey, because it's going to bring more people to our games," he said. "Believe me, we'll take all the support we can get."


Harmful to sport

The longer the lockout continues, however, the greater harm it threatens.

"You look at what's already happening," Fournier said. "NASCAR has already surpassed hockey in popularity and to hold out much longer isn't going to help our game at all."

Now that the season has been lost, there is fear that the lockout could also delay or cancel next season. There has been talk of using replacement players to prevent that from happening.

If that's the case, several FireAntz said they wouldn't hesitate to cross the line and become "scab" players for a shot at playing in the NHL.

"I think it would be a great experience, something we've all dreamed about, so why not?" said veteran defenseman Andrew Dickson. "I guarantee you one thing, no matter what they paid us, we wouldn't complain about the money."

Staff writer Brett Friedlander can be reached at friedlanderb@fayettevillenc.com or 486-3513.

[Mona]

FireAntz dismayed by labor dispute


Mike Fournier has always dreamed about playing at the highest level of professional hockey. But for the first time since he became a pro, the Fayetteville FireAntz captain is glad he's not in the National Hockey League.

"It just puts a bad taste in your mouth about our sport," Fournier said Wednesday, moments after the NHL announced it had canceled the 2004-05 season because of a labor dispute.

"It's hard for me to believe that those guys love hockey as much as they say they do, then shut the game down over something as stupid as money."


Mike Fournier for President!!

[Mona]

FireAntz dismayed by labor dispute


Mike Fournier has always dreamed about playing at the highest level of professional hockey. But for the first time since he became a pro, the Fayetteville FireAntz captain is glad he's not in the National Hockey League.

"It just puts a bad taste in your mouth about our sport," Fournier said Wednesday, moments after the NHL announced it had canceled the 2004-05 season because of a labor dispute.

"It's hard for me to believe that those guys love hockey as much as they say they do, then shut the game down over something as stupid as money."


Mike Fournier for President!!

[apolinar]

I think I may be going to the game tomorrow or Sunday. Anyone been this year yet?

[apolinar]

I think I may be going to the game tomorrow or Sunday. Anyone been this year yet?

[apolinar]

I think I may be going to the game tomorrow or Sunday. Anyone been this year yet?

[NHLCanes]

Me, but then I have season tickets so I'm a regular. I've heard a few people on fanhome say they've been, but I can't think who right off hand (or remember if they post here either for that matter). If you need help with directions or anything let me know - the coliseum is very easy to get to.

The team is struggling through some injuries right now and a bit shorthanded although at least one guy is expected back this weekend. The league has no IR so players can't be replaced (with the exception of goalie) unless he's waived.

[NHLCanes]

Me, but then I have season tickets so I'm a regular. I've heard a few people on fanhome say they've been, but I can't think who right off hand (or remember if they post here either for that matter). If you need help with directions or anything let me know - the coliseum is very easy to get to.

The team is struggling through some injuries right now and a bit shorthanded although at least one guy is expected back this weekend. The league has no IR so players can't be replaced (with the exception of goalie) unless he's waived.

[NHLCanes]

Me, but then I have season tickets so I'm a regular. I've heard a few people on fanhome say they've been, but I can't think who right off hand (or remember if they post here either for that matter). If you need help with directions or anything let me know - the coliseum is very easy to get to.

The team is struggling through some injuries right now and a bit shorthanded although at least one guy is expected back this weekend. The league has no IR so players can't be replaced (with the exception of goalie) unless he's waived.

[apolinar]

Just got back from the Fireantz game and they did NOT look injured. Final score of Fireantz vs. Winston Salem Polar Twins: 12 to 1!!!!!! A team that actually scores when they have nearly 50 shots in a game. Poor goalie from the other team couldn't be pulled (I didn't see a second goalie). They broke the record for the most goals in a SPHL game. The game is apparently going to be shown on PAX on tape delay.

I think I counted 2 players with hat tricks, four fights, and a near shutout ruined in the last 2 minutes. The kids went home with free pucks too. 4 seats on the glass for 64 bucks. I hate to say it but if the canes leave I've found my replacement.

[apolinar]

Just got back from the Fireantz game and they did NOT look injured. Final score of Fireantz vs. Winston Salem Polar Twins: 12 to 1!!!!!! A team that actually scores when they have nearly 50 shots in a game. Poor goalie from the other team couldn't be pulled (I didn't see a second goalie). They broke the record for the most goals in a SPHL game. The game is apparently going to be shown on PAX on tape delay.

I think I counted 2 players with hat tricks, four fights, and a near shutout ruined in the last 2 minutes. The kids went home with free pucks too. 4 seats on the glass for 64 bucks. I hate to say it but if the canes leave I've found my replacement.

[apolinar]

Just got back from the Fireantz game and they did NOT look injured. Final score of Fireantz vs. Winston Salem Polar Twins: 12 to 1!!!!!! A team that actually scores when they have nearly 50 shots in a game. Poor goalie from the other team couldn't be pulled (I didn't see a second goalie). They broke the record for the most goals in a SPHL game. The game is apparently going to be shown on PAX on tape delay.

I think I counted 2 players with hat tricks, four fights, and a near shutout ruined in the last 2 minutes. The kids went home with free pucks too. 4 seats on the glass for 64 bucks. I hate to say it but if the canes leave I've found my replacement.

[NHLCanes]

Well, you certainly picked a good game to go to! All the walking wounded were back in the lineup and you're right - they didn't look hurt at all! Only player out was a suspended George Nistas. #8 Dickson hasn't played in months thanks to a broken ankle, but he looked pretty good out there. Winston-Salem's other goalie is in Richmond right now in the UHL, and I don't know why they had no backup, but I didn't see one on the bench. I almost felt bad for them (almost), but the Fireantz needed this win to get back on track.

[NHLCanes]

Well, you certainly picked a good game to go to! All the walking wounded were back in the lineup and you're right - they didn't look hurt at all! Only player out was a suspended George Nistas. #8 Dickson hasn't played in months thanks to a broken ankle, but he looked pretty good out there. Winston-Salem's other goalie is in Richmond right now in the UHL, and I don't know why they had no backup, but I didn't see one on the bench. I almost felt bad for them (almost), but the Fireantz needed this win to get back on track.

[NHLCanes]

Well, you certainly picked a good game to go to! All the walking wounded were back in the lineup and you're right - they didn't look hurt at all! Only player out was a suspended George Nistas. #8 Dickson hasn't played in months thanks to a broken ankle, but he looked pretty good out there. Winston-Salem's other goalie is in Richmond right now in the UHL, and I don't know why they had no backup, but I didn't see one on the bench. I almost felt bad for them (almost), but the Fireantz needed this win to get back on track.

[goalie33]

*Raises emergency backup hand*

[goalie33]

*Raises emergency backup hand*

[goalie33]

*Raises emergency backup hand*

[Turbulence]

Just got back from the Fireantz game and they did NOT look injured. Final score of Fireantz vs. Winston Salem Polar Twins: 12 to 1!!!!!! A team that actually scores when they have nearly 50 shots in a game. Poor goalie from the other team couldn't be pulled (I didn't see a second goalie). They broke the record for the most goals in a SPHL game. The game is apparently going to be shown on PAX on tape delay.

I think I counted 2 players with hat tricks, four fights, and a near shutout ruined in the last 2 minutes. The kids went home with free pucks too. 4 seats on the glass for 64 bucks. I hate to say it but if the canes leave I've found my replacement.

That sounds like exciting hockey...
I don't see how they couldn't have tried to find a backup though, just for the night...If I were in the position to be an emergency backup, I'd be thrilled at the prospect of seeing a game from the bench and getting a free jersey...money couldn't have been an issue...
Maybe it was just a logistics issue...like when we barely got Tripp in from Richmond to sit on the bench that one game. :D

[Turbulence]

Just got back from the Fireantz game and they did NOT look injured. Final score of Fireantz vs. Winston Salem Polar Twins: 12 to 1!!!!!! A team that actually scores when they have nearly 50 shots in a game. Poor goalie from the other team couldn't be pulled (I didn't see a second goalie). They broke the record for the most goals in a SPHL game. The game is apparently going to be shown on PAX on tape delay.

I think I counted 2 players with hat tricks, four fights, and a near shutout ruined in the last 2 minutes. The kids went home with free pucks too. 4 seats on the glass for 64 bucks. I hate to say it but if the canes leave I've found my replacement.

That sounds like exciting hockey...
I don't see how they couldn't have tried to find a backup though, just for the night...If I were in the position to be an emergency backup, I'd be thrilled at the prospect of seeing a game from the bench and getting a free jersey...money couldn't have been an issue...
Maybe it was just a logistics issue...like when we barely got Tripp in from Richmond to sit on the bench that one game. :D

[Turbulence]

Just got back from the Fireantz game and they did NOT look injured. Final score of Fireantz vs. Winston Salem Polar Twins: 12 to 1!!!!!! A team that actually scores when they have nearly 50 shots in a game. Poor goalie from the other team couldn't be pulled (I didn't see a second goalie). They broke the record for the most goals in a SPHL game. The game is apparently going to be shown on PAX on tape delay.

I think I counted 2 players with hat tricks, four fights, and a near shutout ruined in the last 2 minutes. The kids went home with free pucks too. 4 seats on the glass for 64 bucks. I hate to say it but if the canes leave I've found my replacement.

That sounds like exciting hockey...
I don't see how they couldn't have tried to find a backup though, just for the night...If I were in the position to be an emergency backup, I'd be thrilled at the prospect of seeing a game from the bench and getting a free jersey...money couldn't have been an issue...
Maybe it was just a logistics issue...like when we barely got Tripp in from Richmond to sit on the bench that one game. :D

[goalie33]

This thread is begging for the Vancouver emergency backup pic...the AHL team was already on the bus when Cloutier (I think) got hurt, and the only goalie Crawford could find in the whole area was the third-stringer from a low level program, who happened to be asleep in the library three hours before his first and only NHL game. During the game Hedberg got run a little bit and stayed down on the ice for a minute or two, and both Crawford and the kid looked scared to death.

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/9674/levesqueb7gz.th.jpg (http://img238.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img238&image=levesqueb7gz.jpg)

[goalie33]

This thread is begging for the Vancouver emergency backup pic...the AHL team was already on the bus when Cloutier (I think) got hurt, and the only goalie Crawford could find in the whole area was the third-stringer from a low level program, who happened to be asleep in the library three hours before his first and only NHL game. During the game Hedberg got run a little bit and stayed down on the ice for a minute or two, and both Crawford and the kid looked scared to death.

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/9674/levesqueb7gz.th.jpg (http://img238.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img238&image=levesqueb7gz.jpg)

[goalie33]

This thread is begging for the Vancouver emergency backup pic...the AHL team was already on the bus when Cloutier (I think) got hurt, and the only goalie Crawford could find in the whole area was the third-stringer from a low level program, who happened to be asleep in the library three hours before his first and only NHL game. During the game Hedberg got run a little bit and stayed down on the ice for a minute or two, and both Crawford and the kid looked scared to death.

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/9674/levesqueb7gz.th.jpg (http://img238.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img238&image=levesqueb7gz.jpg)

[StormShaman]

This thread is begging for the Vancouver emergency backup pic...the AHL team was already on the bus when Cloutier (I think) got hurt, and the only goalie Crawford could find in the whole area was the third-stringer from a low level program, who happened to be asleep in the library three hours before his first and only NHL game. During the game Hedberg got run a little bit and stayed down on the ice for a minute or two, and both Crawford and the kid looked scared to death.

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/9674/levesqueb7gz.th.jpg (http://img238.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img238&image=levesqueb7gz.jpg)

Hahahaha!

Actually, Chris Levesque (the redhead in the picture) was studying for finals (he was a student at the University of British Columbia at the time), and when he was told that the Canucks needed him to play backup that night he thought it was a practical joke. :beatup:

[StormShaman]

This thread is begging for the Vancouver emergency backup pic...the AHL team was already on the bus when Cloutier (I think) got hurt, and the only goalie Crawford could find in the whole area was the third-stringer from a low level program, who happened to be asleep in the library three hours before his first and only NHL game. During the game Hedberg got run a little bit and stayed down on the ice for a minute or two, and both Crawford and the kid looked scared to death.

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/9674/levesqueb7gz.th.jpg (http://img238.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img238&image=levesqueb7gz.jpg)

Hahahaha!

Actually, Chris Levesque (the redhead in the picture) was studying for finals (he was a student at the University of British Columbia at the time), and when he was told that the Canucks needed him to play backup that night he thought it was a practical joke. :beatup:

[StormShaman]

This thread is begging for the Vancouver emergency backup pic...the AHL team was already on the bus when Cloutier (I think) got hurt, and the only goalie Crawford could find in the whole area was the third-stringer from a low level program, who happened to be asleep in the library three hours before his first and only NHL game. During the game Hedberg got run a little bit and stayed down on the ice for a minute or two, and both Crawford and the kid looked scared to death.

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/9674/levesqueb7gz.th.jpg (http://img238.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img238&image=levesqueb7gz.jpg)

Hahahaha!

Actually, Chris Levesque (the redhead in the picture) was studying for finals (he was a student at the University of British Columbia at the time), and when he was told that the Canucks needed him to play backup that night he thought it was a practical joke. :beatup:

[NHLCanes]

If any of you can pick up PAX channel 62 out of Fayetteville, the Antz game vs. Winston-Salem is showing right now (just after 10 a.m.). I think it replays again at 1 p.m. this afternoon.

[NHLCanes]

If any of you can pick up PAX channel 62 out of Fayetteville, the Antz game vs. Winston-Salem is showing right now (just after 10 a.m.). I think it replays again at 1 p.m. this afternoon.

[NHLCanes]

If any of you can pick up PAX channel 62 out of Fayetteville, the Antz game vs. Winston-Salem is showing right now (just after 10 a.m.). I think it replays again at 1 p.m. this afternoon.