(Photo Courtesy of the Idaho Steelheads)

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Oct 12, 2004/vol. 58, issue 7

Focus on ECHL in lockout year

Strong, balanced Titans get nod over Steelheads in quest for Kelly Cup

BY MIKE MASTOVICH

The ECHL may be a feeder system for the American League and, ultimately, the NHL, but for this season at least, the system will work in reverse.

With the NHL locked out, many players are heading to the ’A’, bumping other good prospects down to the ECHL.

Though ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna says he hopes the NHL and union work things out soon, he admits the lockout will have a short-term benefit for his league.

“It means fewer recalls of our players because of injuries at the NHL level,” he said. “That means more continuity on qur rosters.”

Here’s our projected overall finish for 2004-05:

1. TRENTON TITANS Trenton returns a solid nucleus and added free agent veteran right winger Rick Kowalsky. Left wingers Matt Zultek and Scott Bertoli and center Chris Pittman led the scoring last year on a team that just missed earning a wild card playoff spot; all three are back. Also back are goalie Andrew Allen and veteran captain Vince Williams, who anchors the defense. Top newcomers are speedy center Steve Cygan and blueliner Evan Nielsen.

2. IDAHO STEELHEADS The Kelly Cup champions have the tools to defend their title. They signed eight players from last year’s team and added an NHL affiliation with Phoenix and an AHL link with Utah. The returnees include blueliner lererny Mylymok and forward Scott Burt, both fifth-year Steelheads. Also back are forwards David Cornacchia and Brett Draney and blueliners Darrell Hay and Dan Vandermeer.

3. FLORIDA EVERBLADES Florida, which fell to Idaho in the Kelly Cup final, will receive solid help from Carolina and also from Lowell of the AHL, as 12 players with two-way contracts are set to attend camp. Goalie Rob Zepp began the season in Lowell’s camp, but chances are he’ll be back to bolster the Blades. Other key returnees are forward Brent McDonald, who averaged a point a game last year, and blueliners Matt Pagnutti, Ryan Brindley and Ed Hill.

4. READING ROYALS Coach Derek Clancey will count on high-scoring returnee David Masse to ignite the offense. The Royals will have plenty of experience and a considerable talent pool from Los Angeles and Manchester (AHL). Leading scorer Greg Mischler and right winger Judd Medak are also back. The team has three of its top five scorers from last season.

5. SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS Already tough team got even stronger.

6. GWINNETT GLADIATORS Veteran sniper Cam Brown returns for 13th year.

7. LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS Tough to beat in Sin City.

8. SAN DIEGO GULLS Bent on erasing playoff disappointment.

9. COLUMBIA INFERNO A lot of firepower.

10. PEORIA RIVERMEN Always found near the top of the division.

11. ALASKA ACES Continue slow turnaround of fortunes.

12. WHEELING NAILERS Ended five-year playoff drought last year.

13. JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS Thirteen players return.

14. GREENVILLE GRRROWLVast improvement expected.

15. ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK BULLIES Will win with defense-first philosophy.

16. MISSISSIPPI SEA WOLVES ECHL vet Louis Dumont fronts team.

17. PENSACOLA ICE PILOTS New era begins under coach Dave Farrish.

18. CHARLOTTE CHECKERS Eduard Pershin returns after scoring 139 points in two years.

19. AUGUSTA LYNX Goaltender Jason Saal had a team-record five shutouts last year.

20. PEE DEE PRIDE Builds from within, without NHL affiliation.

21. LONG BEACH ICE DOGS New ties with Montreal Canadiens will boost lineup.

22. LOUISIANA ICEGATORS In transition after coach Dave Farrish’s departure.

23. TOLEDO STORM Speedy Nick Parillo fronts offense.

24. VICTORIA SALMON KINGS Expansion team’s motto this season: “Nobody’s Lunch.”

25. DAYTON BOMBERS Co-owner Don MacAdam also jumps into coaching duties.

26. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS Add leadership in Kevin St. Jacques and his career 849 points.

27. TEXAS WILDCATTERS Franchise hopes for strong second-year campaign.

28. FRESNO FALCONS Opponents outscored Falcons 275-187 last season. I

YOUNG ECHL

Here are the top 23-and-tinders who have been drafted by NHL teams.

FIRST TEAM

G Simon Lajeunesse, 23. Fresno

Ottawa, 48th overall, 1999

D Jared Newman, 22, Florida

Carolina, 110th overall, 2000

D Tim Branham, 23, Texas

Vancouver, 93rd overall, 2000

F Mathieu Brunelle, 21, Trenton

Philadelphia, 201st overall, 2002

F Nicolas Corbeil, 21, Mississippi

Toronto, 88th overall, 2001

F Carl Mallette, 23, Greenville

Atlanta. 107th overall, 2000

SECOND TEAM

G Nick Boucher, 23, Pee Dee

Pittsburgh, 280th overall, 2000

D Joe Martin, 23, Greenville

Chicago, 193rd overall, 2000

D Craig Olynick, 22, Toledo

Detroit, 166th overall, 2002

F Dusty Jamieson, 23, Charlotte

Montreal, 136th overall, 1999

F Derek Krestanovich, 21, Fresno

Washington, 92nd overall, 2002

F Russell Spence, 22, Greenville

Phoenix, 280th overall, 2002

The Rapid City Rush are teaming up with the YMCA of Rapid City to host their first-ever NHL STREET learn-to-play-hockey camp on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 9:30 – 11:00 Am.

Members of the Rush organization and the local hockey community will be in attendance to run the clinic, which will feature hands-on instruction, skills stations, and scrimmages. Registration is open for all kids aged seven through 12, with no prior hockey experience required. All equipment will be provided, and families do not have to be YMCA members to participate.

“The YMCA brings our youth together as a community to celebrate fun and wellness.” Elaina Kempin, Marketing Director for the YMCA of Rapid City, said in a statement. “Our wonderful partnership with the Rapid City Rush helps us achieve our mission of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”

Launched in 2023, NHL STREET is the official youth hockey league of the National Hockey League. It is designed to provide kids and their families with the best of what youth sports can be: having fun, staying active, making friends and creating great memories. This is the first NHL STREET initiative offered in the state of South Dakota.

“NHL STREET was created to bring the love of hockey to more kids in more communities—and this event is a great example of that mission in action,” Savannah Green, Director of Community Relations and Social Engagement for the Rush, said. “When you combine the energy of the Rush with the reach of community organizations like the YMCA, you unlock something really powerful.”

The YMCA of Rapid City is located at 815 Kansas City St., Rapid City, SD 57701. Registration is $35 per child. All participants will take home a custom NHL STREET hockey jersey.

For more information about Street Camp, click here.

The Rush will kick off their 2025-26 regular season in Independence, Missouri against the Kansas City Mavericks on Friday, Oct. 17. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 Pm MT.

(Photo Courtesy of the Rapid City Rush)

NHL pre-season hockey is coming to Boise, Idaho.

The Idaho Steelheads, in conjunction with the Idaho Central Arena, will host an NHL pre-season game between the LA Kings and Utah Mammoth Sep. 30 at 7 Pm inside the Idaho Central Arena.

“We are extremely excited to be able to bring NHL hockey back to the Treasure Valley for the second time in the last four years,” Eric Trapp, President of Idaho Sports Properties, said in a statement. “With the success we have had hosting NHL events in downtown Boise, it was a goal of ours to host another game after seeing how well it was received back in 2022.”

This will be the third NHL preseason game and fourth NHL event hosted in Downtown Boise. The Vegas Golden Knights and Arizona Coyotes met on Oct. 8, 2022 most recently. The LA Kings and San Jose Sharks met for an exhibition game on Sep. 24, 1997 prior to the inaugural Steelheads season, and it was the third event hosted in the history of the Idaho Central Arena. The Steelheads also hosted the Dallas Stars Training Camp in Sept. 2018, which included an intra-squad scrimmage on the final day.

"Bringing NHL hockey back to Boise is an incredible opportunity, and we couldn’t be more excited," said LA Kings President Luc Robitaille. "This preseason game is a chance for us to share the speed, skill, and energy of Kings hockey, with a passionate and growing fan base in Idaho. We’re proud to help showcase the game in new communities and look forward to creating a memorable experience for everyone in Boise.”

Steelheads Season Ticket Holders will have the first right to reserve their seats for the NHL Preseason Game with a presale on Jul. 15 and the deadline on Aug. 1. Information regarding tickets for the general public will be announced on a later date.

Photo Courtesy of the Idaho Steelheads

The Florida Panthers have won their second consecutive Stanley Cup following a 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday night. Once again, the ECHL was well-represented on a Stanley Cup Champion team.

For the 25th consecutive year, the ECHL is represented on the Stanley Cup champion with Panthers Assistant General Manager Brett Peterson; Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Paul Krepelka; Assistant Coach Jamie Kompon; Goaltending Coach Robb Tallas; players Vitek Vanecek and Carter Verhaeghe; Professional Scouts P.J. Fenton and Sean Backman; Amateur Scouts Dillon Donnelly, Josh Monk and Ken Morin; Assistant Athletic Trainer Brian Riedel; Assistant Equipment Managers Thomas Anderson, Dakota King and Joe Wiezczek and Radio Broadcaster Doug Plagens.

Peterson skated in 317 career ECHL games over five seasons with Atlantic City, Johnstown, Florida and Phoenix from 2004-09. He is in his fourth season in the Panthers front office, and upon hiring in November 2020, he became the first Black assistant general manager in NHL history.

Krepelka played two seasons in the ECHL with Hampton Roads from 1991-93, tallying 33 points (14-19-33) in 85 games. He went on to serve as Director of Player Personnel for Norfolk in 2017-18 before joining the Panthers front office in 2018-19 as Vice President of Hockey Operations.

Kompon, who previously won Stanley Cup titles as an assistant coach with Los Angeles in 2012, Chicago in 2013 and Florida in 2024, totaled 17 points (4-13-17) in 59 games with Hampton Roads, Cincinnati and Winston-Salem from 1989-91.

Tallas, who is in his 16th season as Florida’s goaltending coach, went 21-9-3 in 36 appearances with Charlotte during the 1994-95 season with a 3.40 goals-against average and a save percentage of .882. He went on to appear in 99 career games in the NHL with Boston and Chicago from 1995-2001.

Vanecek appeared in 34 career ECHL games with South Carolina during the 2015-16 and 2017-18 seasons going 19-8-6 with four shutouts, a 2.02 goals-against average and a save percentage of .918, while earning a spot on the 2015-16 ECHL All-Rookie Team. He is 96-56-21 in 188 career NHL appearances with Florida, San Jose, New Jersey and Washington.

Verhaeghe captures his third career Stanley Cup title after previously winning with Tampa Bay in 2020 and Florida in 2024. He had 57 points (20-37-57) in 36 games with Missouri from 2015-17 and has posted 302 points (147-155-302) in 411 career NHL games with the Lightning and Panthers.

Fenton had 11 points (9-2-11) in 14 games with Phoenix in 2008-09 while Backman recorded four points (2g-2a) in five games with Idaho during the 2010-11 season.

Donnelly scored one goal in 10 games with Wichita in 2018-19; Monk recorded one goal in 13 games with Worcester in 2017-18; while Morin tallied four points (1-3-4) in 19 games with Bakersfield in 2009-10.

Riedel is in his third season on the Panthers training staff. He spent one season with Greenville in 2018-19 before spending three seasons with Hershey of the American Hockey League.

Anderson has ECHL experience as an assistant equipment manager with Gwinnett in 2010-11 and 2012-13, and is in his seventh season on the Panthers staff.

King, who was named ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year with Gwinnett in 2014-15, spent two seasons with the Gladiators before joining Florida’s staff in 2015-16.

Wiezczek spent two seasons as head equipment manager with Rapid City from 2021-23 before joining Florida’s staff prior to last season.

Plagens served as radio broadcaster for Idaho from 2008-11, then spent four seasons in the same role with Lake Erie of the AHL before joining the Panthers in 2015-16.

Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; The Florida Panthers look at the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Former ECHL player and coach Spencer Carbery is the 2024-25 recipient of the Jack Adams Award as “the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success,” as selected by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association.

Carbery, who received the John Brophy Award as ECHL Coach of the Year in 2013-14 and the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as American Hockey League Coach of the Year in 2020-21, is the first individual to win the Coach of the Year Award in all three leagues.

In his second season as head coach of the Washington Capitals, Carbery led the team to a 51-22-9 record for 111 points, finishing with the second-best record in the NHL as well as the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2016-17.

Overall in two seasons, Carbery has led Washington to a 91-53-20 record and two appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

During his playing career, Carbery played three seasons in the ECHL from 2007-10 with Bakersfield, Stockton, Fresno and South Carolina. He recorded 73 points (32-41-73) in 181 games and captured a Kelly Cup title with the Stingrays in 2009.

Following his playing career, Carbery entered the coaching ranks, serving as South Carolina’s assistant coach in 2010-11 before spending the next five seasons as the club’s head coach. Carbery’s teams won 40 or more games three times, captured a pair of division titles and advanced to the 2015 Kelly Cup Finals.

Carbery becomes the third former ECHL coach to win the Jack Adams Award, joining Bruce Boudreau and Bruce Cassidy.

May 12, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery walks off the ice after their loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in game four of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Kalamazoo Wings announced the return of Joel Martin’s ‘Game On’ Street Hockey camps for Summer 2025, powered by NHL STREET™, along with partnerships with The Kalamazoo Promise and Kzoo Parks. The initiative facilitates free of cost camps for 200-plus children in Kalamazoo’s inner city.

Five Street Hockey camps will be held at Kalamazoo’s Upjohn and LaCrone Parks from June to August, exclusively for Kzoo Parks Summer Camps. Each camper is set to receive free admission to the almost two-hour event, an official NHL STREET™ Jersey, a street hockey stick and a swag bag, courtesy of The Kalamazoo Promise.

“The K-Wings are proud of the return of NHL STREET™, and we’re so excited to partner with The Kalamazoo Promise and Kzoo Parks,” Toni Will, Kalamazoo Wings General Manager and Governor, said in a news release. “It's always a no-brainer to team up with local organizations that commit to serving the next generation, and most especially organizations that care about making an impact in underserved communities like they both do.”

NHL STREET™ is the premier ball hockey experience designed to provide kids ages 6 to 16 and their families with the best of what youth sports can be: having fun, staying active, making friends and creating great memories.

Established in 2005, The Kalamazoo Promise allows students who graduate from the Kalamazoo Public Schools and meet the basic requirements to receive up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees paid for at any in-state public community college or university. Currently, over 8,700 students have used The Promise for higher education with over $230 million invested in that span.

“The Kalamazoo Promise is excited to partner with the NHL STREET™ hockey experience to bring this unique opportunity to our community,” Von Washington, CEO of The Kalamazoo Promise, stated. “We believe in the power of sports to positively impact children's lives, and we are committed to providing access to quality programs that promote physical activity, teamwork and leadership skills. Moreover, participating in NHL STREET can have a positive impact on the mental well-being of children.

“Engaging in team sports has been shown to boost self-esteem and confidence, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote social connections. These benefits are especially important for children who may be facing challenges or adversity in their personal lives.”

Kzoo Parks offers a variety of programs for Kalamazoo’s youth annually, with financial assistance available to those in need. The camps participating in the ‘GAME ON’ are affiliated with Camp Kzoo & Super Rec Summer Camps.

Last summer, the K-Wings hosted 64 campers across two summer camps in Kalamazoo. This summer, by partnering with the two pillars in the Kalamazoo community, the Wings continue their commitment to bring the game to a new generation while breaking down barriers for youth athletes to get involved in sports.

Camps will be hosted and coached by Joel Martin, K-Wings Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach. K-Wings players & staff, KOHA staff (Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association), along with Kzoo Parks camp counselors, will also assist Martin in the camp.

The children will learn basic hockey fundamentals and participate in a hockey tournament inside an NHL STREET™ branded street hockey arena.

“We’re proud to see NHL STREET™ making a real impact in our community by giving kids a fun, accessible way to stay active and build confidence through street hockey,” Martin said. “This program wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support from our partners — Kzoo Parks and The Kalamazoo Promise. Their commitment to youth enrichment and inclusive recreation has helped bring this vision to life, and we’re excited to continue growing together.”

Photo Courtesy of the Kalamazoo Wings.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner has had his struggles in the post-season during his career. On Monday night, however, the former Wichita Thunder netminder gave the Oilers a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference Second Round Series against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Skinner’s 24-save performance guided the Oilers to a 3-0 shutout victory over Vegas at Rogers Place. It was Skinner’s first win of this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs after starting out 0-3 with an abysmal 5.36 goals-against average and .817 save percentage.

Skinner subsequently lost the starter’s job to Calvin Pickard before coming back in Game 3 of the Vegas series following a lower-body injury to Pickard. He allowed four goals in a 4-3 loss in Game 3 before looking invincible Monday night.

The 26-year-old goalie played two seasons in the ECHL with the Wichita Thunder. In 44 games that spanned parts of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, he posted a 17-15-7 record, 3.19 GAA and .903 SP and four shutouts.

Stuuuuuu!

— Wichita Thunder (@Wichita_Thunder) May 13, 2025

Skinner was taken in the third round (78th overall) by the Oilers in the 2017 NHL Draft. As an NHL rookie, he took over the starting role from Jack Campbell in 2022-23. That season, he went 29-14-5 with a 2.75 GAA, .914 SP and one shutout. He was named to the All-Rookie Team and was in the running for the Calder Trophy before losing out to forward Matty Beniers for Rookie of the Year.

While he has thrived during the regular season, Skinner’s playoff struggles have been well-documented. Last post-season, Pickard took over for two games in the second round against the Vancouver Canucks before Skinner regained the starting role and led Edmonton to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Now, it appears the task of getting the Oilers successfully through this series lies squarely on Skinner’s shoulders. Pickard’s injury is reportedly more serious, and he could be out a week or more instead of day-to-day, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Oilers fans aren’t shy about expressing their displeasure when their goaltenders struggle, but pressure is a part of the NHL and its big stage. Only time will tell whether Skinner can channel that pressure into performances like the one Monday night.