The Montreal Canadiens have named Jean-François Houle as head coach of the AHL’s Laval Rocket. “After meeting with him, we quickly concluded that his philosophy and values aligned with ours. His dedication, passion for hockey, attention to detail, and leadership ability are among his top qualities. Jean-François’ many years of experience, along with his knowledge
American Hockey League
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today announced the dates and opponents for all 31 teams’ home openers for the 2021-22 season: Abbotsford Canucks – Fri., Oct. 22 vs. Henderson Bakersfield Condors – Sat., Oct. 16 vs. Abbotsford Belleville Senators – Sat., Oct. 16 vs. Laval Bridgeport Islanders – Sat., Oct. 23 vs. Springfield Charlotte Checkers – Fri.,
The Utica Comets have signed forwards Samuel Laberge and Ryan Schmelzer to American Hockey League contracts for the 2021-22 season. Laberge, 24, enters his fifth pro season after skating with Allen (ECHL) in 2020-21. He has skated in 97 regular-season AHL contests with the Texas Stars, totaling eight goals and 14 assists. He also has
by Patrick Williams | for TheAHL.comFollow @pwilliamsAHL Plans can and do change quickly in pro hockey. Joël Bouchard, a veteran of 14 pro seasons on the ice and three more campaigns behind the bench with the Laval Rocket, received such a reminder to start his summer. After Bouchard’s contract with the parent Montreal Canadiens expired
The San Jose Sharks have acquired goaltender Adin Hill and a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for goaltender Josef Korenar and a second-round draft pick in 2022. Hill, 25, has spent his entire five-year pro career in the Coyotes organization, making 138 appearances in the AHL with
The Winnipeg Jets have hired Mark Morrison as head coach of the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. Morrison, 58, returns to the Jets organization after serving as an assistant for six years with the Moose (2015-17) and St. John’s IceCaps (2011-15), reaching the conference finals in 2012 and the Calder Cup Finals in 2014. During his time
The New York Rangers have acquired defenseman Nick DeSimone from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Brett Howden. DeSimone appeared in 22 AHL games between San Jose and Rochester last season, tallying 11 assists. A native of East Amherst, N.Y., DeSimone enters his fifth pro season having skated in 198 career AHL games
The Minnesota Wild have re-signed forward Joseph Cramarossa to a two-year, two-way contract through 2022-23. Cramarossa appeared in eight games with the AHL’s Iowa Wild in 2020-21, tallying two goals and one assist. He made his Minnesota Wild debut on Mar. 20 and collected one assist in four NHL games. The ninth-year pro has skated
The Nashville Predators have acquired forward Cody Glass from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Nolan Patrick as part of a three-team deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Glass, 22, tallied four goals and six assists for 10 points in 14 games with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights in 2020-21. He added three assists in
The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Hershey Bears head coach Spencer Carbery as an assistant coach on Sheldon Keefe’s staff. Named head coach of the Bears on June 26, 2018, Carbery won the Louis A.R. Pieri Award as the AHL’s outstanding coach in 2020-21 after leading Hershey to the best record in the league during
The Vancouver Canucks have announced that Trent Cull will return as their AHL head coach when the Abbotsford Canucks begin play this fall. Cull will work with associate coach Gary Agnew, assistant coach Jeff Ulmer, goaltending coach Curtis Sanford, and video coach Ian Beckenstein. Additionally, Roman Kaszczij will continue in his role as head athletic
The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed forward Morgan Geekie to a one-year, two-way contract. Geekie, 22, played 36 games with the Hurricanes in 2020-21, notching three goals and six assists for nine points. He also had a two-game stint with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and recorded four goals and an assist to earn CCM/AHL Player of
The Montreal Canadiens have agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with forward Alex Belzile. Belzile played 17 games with the AHL’s Laval Rocket in 2020-21, posting four goals and 10 assists for 14 points. He also skated in two games with Montreal, notching one assist, and praticed with the club during their run
The Hershey Bears have re-signed forward Kale Kessy to a two-year American Hockey League contract. Kessy skated in 21 games with Hershey in 2020-21, registering two goals, four assists and a league-high 115 penalty minutes. Kessy has played 220 games in the AHL over eight pro seasons with Hershey, Colorado, Manitoba, Cleveland, Bakersfield and Oklahoma
The Rockford IceHogs have re-signed forward and team captain Garrett Mitchell to an American Hockey League contract for the 2021-22 season. Mitchell returns to Rockford for his 11th professional campaign after posting three goals and two assists in 29 games with the IceHogs in 2020-21. Mitchell has skated in 446 career AHL games with Rockford,
The Vancouver Canucks have announced that the club’s American Hockey League affiliate will be called the Abbotsford Canucks and will feature “Johnny Canuck” as the primary logo. Fans can see full details at abbotsford.canucks.com and on the Abbotsford Canucks social channels which launched today. “We’re thrilled to unveil Abbotsford’s new AHL brand,” said Francesco Aquilini,
The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed center Sam Carrick to a one-year, one-way contract extension, and defenseman Trevor Carrick and right wing Vinni Lettieri to one-year, two-way contract extensions. Sam Carrick has served as captain of the San Diego Gulls for the last two seasons. In 2020-21, he recorded 14 goals and 10 assists for 24
The San Jose Sharks have re-signed goaltender Josef Korenar to a one-year contract. Korenar, 23, made his National Hockey League debut with the Sharks in 2020-21, making 10 appearances and posting a record of 3-5-0 with a 3.17 goals-against average and an .899 save percentage. He also appeared in eight AHL games with the San