Tampa signs Hedman

Press Release

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenseman Victor Hedman to a standard three-year rookie contract today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. Hedman was selected by the Lightning with the second overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the first time in franchise history Tampa Bay has picked second overall.

"We are thrilled to be able to take this next step with Victor today,” said Lawton upon making the announcement. "He has a bright future and we intend on him being a member of the Lightning for a long time. We are excited to get his signing behind us so he can solely focus on hockey and the continued development of his game.”

Hedman, 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, was rated as the top European player and one of the top two players overall available in the draft according to NHL Central Scouting. He spent the 2008-09 season with MoDo of the Swedish Elite League where he earned Rookie of the Year honors as an 18-year-old. Hedman recorded seven goals and 21 points for MoDo in 43 games. He ranked second on the team, first among defensemen, in plus/minus rating with a plus-21 and was second among defensemen in points (only behind former NHL player Mattias Timander).

A native of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, Hedman represented his country in each of the previous two World Junior Championships, winning the Silver Medal twice. During the 2009 tournament he recorded two assists and had a plus-4 rating in six games as Sweden fell to Canada in the Gold Medal Game. In 2008, Hedman was named to the tournament all-star team after recording an assist and a plus-5 rating in six games. He also played for Sweden at the 2008 World Under-18 Championships, recording a goal and four points in four games.

Hedman has spent the majority of the previous two seasons with MoDo, playing in the Swedish Elite League. During his two-year professional career there he has amassed nine goals and 25 points with a plus-22 rating in 82 games. He also played in five post season games with MoDo in 2007-08, recording one goal.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Atlanta's Prospect Camp

Press Release

The Atlanta Thrashers will hold their annual Prospect Development Camp at the team’s practice facility, the Duluth IceForum, from Friday, July 10 to Thursday, July 15. The camp, which will consist of 33 prospects, is designed to assist young players in their development both on and off the ice. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public.

All nine of the Thrashers 2009 NHL Entry Draft selections are scheduled to attend the camp, including first-round choice (fourth overall) Evander Kane and second round selections Carl Klingberg (34th overall) and Jeremy Morin (45th overall). Also scheduled to participate are first-round picks Angelo Esposito (20th overall in 2007 by Pittsburgh) and Daultan Leveille (29th overall in 2008), as well as forwards Riley Holzapfel (2006 – 2nd round, 43rd overall), Spencer Machacek (2007 – 3rd Round, 67th Overall) and defenseman Paul Postma (2007 – 7th Round, 205th overall).

Thrashers Director of Amateur Scouting and Player Development Dan Marr will oversee the camp and Chicago Wolves Head Coach Don Granato will run practices with his assistant coaches Wendell Young and Jason Christie. Thrashers Strength and Conditioning Coach Ray Bear will conduct off-ice training and Wolves Skills Coach Kenny McCudden will direct all power skating sessions.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Gianta hire Morley Scott

Press Release

VANCOUVER, BC – The Vancouver Giants are pleased to announce the appointment of Morley Scott to the position of Director, Broadcast and Media Relations.

Scott an Edmonton native will officially assume his role on July 20, 2009 and brings with him an extensive history of media and broadcast experience within the National Hockey League,

In his most recent role as the Edmonton Oilers play-by-play analyst, Scott was charged with broadcasting games on radio and television as both play-by-play and colour analyst for 16 NHL seasons and close to 1500 games.

“We are excited to have Morley Scott on board for the upcoming season,” says Ron Toigo, President, Vancouver Giants. “Morley’s extensive experience and obvious passion for the game is something we feel will be appreciated by our team, our fans and the entire community.”

“Having the opportunity to work with a club like the Vancouver Giants is a great honour,” says Scott “They are an organization that brings the kind of teamwork and professionalism you always hope you get to work with and I am looking forward to being a part of the team this season.”

Listen for the voice of Morley Scott on AM 650 All-Time Favourites and local sports programming as he begins previewing another exciting season of Vancouver Giants Hockey!


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Edmonton signs Thompson through 2011

Press Release

Edmonton, AB – The Edmonton Oil Kings are pleased to announce that assistant head coach Rocky Thompson has signed a two year extension with the club through to the 2010-2011 season.

"Having Rocky working with Steve for the next two years is great partnership for our organization," says Oil Kings general manager Bob Green. "Rocky has progressed well in his first two years behind the bench since playing professional hockey and his experience brings something unique to our players and the room."

"I am extremely happy to be signed on with the Oil Kings for another two seasons, I'm happy to be coaching with Steve again," said Thompson. "We moved around a lot throughout my hockey career and it is huge for me and my family to be able to stay here."

After finishing his professional hockey career, Thompson began coaching in 2007 as an assistant coach with the Oil Kings under Steve Pleau. Thompson helped guide the Oil Kings to a playoff berth in their second season, and is looking forward to the Oil Kings third season in the league.

"We'll still be a young team this year, but I believe we will be a lot better. A lot of the young guys have some serious skill," explained Thompson. Some guys will have been with Steve and me since the beginning, and that will start paying dividends. We should be able to do some great things here in Edmonton and start turning some heads."

For more information, contact Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green @ (780) 232-0344.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Moose Jaw names a new President

Press Release

Moose Jaw---The Moose Jaw Warriors Board of Directors announced Warriors President Darin Chow will be stepping down from his position as President of the club. The announcement was made at the Warriors Annual General Meeting at the Heritage Inn last night.

Chad Taylor was elected as Moose Jaw Warriors President by the Board of Directors following the meeting. Chow will remain as a member of the Board of Directors and serve as Governor. Chow based his decision on personal commitments. Chow believes the Warriors would be best served with new guidance as the organization continues to move forward.

The Warriors Board of Directors will serve in the following positions:
Governor- Darin Chow
President- Chad Taylor
Vice President/Alumni Liaison- Gerry Onyskevitch
Alternate Governor- Doug Hetherington
Treasurer/Finance- Dave Keifer
Secretary- Rick McKeown
Education Liaison- Dean Lang
Booster Club Liaison- Larry Sentes

The Warriors look forward to Taylor leading the organization as it continues to grow and move into the Multiplex. The Warriors organization would like to officially welcome Darin Chow, Dean Lang, and Dave Keifer to the Moose Jaw Warriors Board of Directors. Continuing to serve as directors are Larry Sentes, Rick McKeown, Gerry Onyskevitch, Doug Hetherington and Bob Calvert.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Detroit signs Ehrhardt

Press Release

The Detroit Red Wings announced earlier today that they have signed defenseman Travis Ehrhardt to three-year entry level deal.

Ehrhardt, the team captain in 2008-09, led the team’s defensemen in scoring last season with nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points, the fourth-highest total on the team. He was also named the team’s most valuable player. Following the season, he earned an amateur tryout contract with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL), and saw action in three games. Ehrhardt began last season by attending the Red Wings’ training camp.

Portland originally acquired Ehrhardt in a trade with Moose Jaw early in the 2007-08 season, and he posted seven goals and 22 assists for 29 points in 54 games after the trade. Ehrhardt has tallied 20 goals and 99 assists for 119 points in 256 games with Portland and Moose Jaw.

“Travis is a terrific player and a great person, and he is very deserving of this contract. Everyone with the Winterhawks wishes him nothing but the best,” said Portland Winterhawks General Manager and Head Coach Mike Johnston. “He is a great example to our young players, as he went undrafted by the NHL but worked extremely hard, made great improvements in his game and eventually earned a contract with one of the elite franchises in the league.”

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

Lepkowski signs with Saginaw

Press Release

(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit have signed defenseman Alex Lepkowski, a 93-born prospect that was drafted by the Spirit 66th overall in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. The West Seneca, New York native played with St. Francis Prep of the MPHL last season.

"Alex is a young kid that we're bringing in to develop," stated Spirit Director of Scouting Jim Paliafito, "He has tremendous character and he has a lot of upside with his size and skating ability."

Lepkowski is expected to attend Saginaw's August training camp.

Alex Lepkowski
POS: Defenseman
SHOOTS: Left
HT: 6.03
WT: 216 LBS
DOB: 4/8/1993
HOMETOWN: West Seneca, New York

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)