He began his first American Hockey League season glued to the bench, but ended it as his team’s No. 1 goaltender. The ups and downs of life as a professional surely haven’t been lost on former Soo Greyhounds star Matt Villalta. “I stepped into a backup role again,” said Villalta, who recalled the early days
American Hockey League
The veteran forward and his wife welcomed their fourth child during this unprecedented time. May 6, 2020 By Andy Zilch/SanDiegoGulls.com While these are trying times, life still goes on, and begins in some cases. Already a father of three, Gulls forward Chris Mueller and his wife were anticipating the best possible day that could occur
As part of a series examining some of the top American Hockey League prospects, NHL.com looks at the top eight forwards from the Eastern Conference this season, ranked in order of NHL readiness (Note: the top Western Conference forwards will run next week). [RELATED: Top AHL defenseman prospects | Top AHL goalie prospects] 1. Drake
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins, West Michigan Whitecaps, Grand Rapids Drive, and West Michigan Sports Commission on Tuesday launched “One Team For West Michigan,” a collaborative initiative to provide encouragement and help to our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 30-second PSA video released to local TV stations and shared on the
In three stints as coach of the Boston Bruins over six seasons and in 28 years as their general manager, Harry Sinden learned a lot about how to manage and get the most out of a team, including when he coached Boston to the Stanley Cup in 1970. So when the 87-year-old Bruins legend lavishes
The Nashville Predators have signed defenseman Ben Harpur to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2020-21 season. Harpur was acquired by Nashville in a trade with Toronto on Feb. 22 and has collected one goal and 11 assists for 12 points in 41 AHL games this season between the Milwaukee Admirals and the Toronto Marlies.
When Ryan Schmelzer was told the AHL season was put on hold, he had three quick thoughts. Pack. Drive. Get home ASAP. The East Amherst native had just moved in with his girlfriend in Fort Erie, ON, a 10-minute drive from downtown Buffalo but 200 miles from his locker room in Binghamton. “I knew there
The Texas Stars have re-signed left wing Anthony Louis to an AHL contract for the 2020-21 season. Louis, 25, has collected 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 46 games between Texas and Charlotte in 2019-20, his third pro season. He was acquired by the Stars on Nov. 20, 2019. Louis has appeared
Rich Clune has told the story of his battle with drug and alcohol addiction in the past. Now that an upcoming documentary on his life is not long from being released, the Toronto Marlies forward is hopeful that his journey shown on the screen can help others in similar positions find a way to a
Defensemen face some of the most formidable obstacles among American Hockey League prospects between the grind of the schedule, adapting to different roles and the steep learning curve at the position. As part of a series examining some of the top AHL prospects, NHL.com looks at the league’s top defensemen this season, ranked in order
Troy Grosenick was just a toddler growing up in Milwaukee when an Admirals player handed him a broken hockey stick during a game. That piece of lumber had become trash for that player, but for a young aspiring goaltender, it was gold. Now that he minds the net for his hometown team – the first
The Bakersfield Condors announced that the team has signed centers Brad Malone and Luke Esposito to two-year American Hockey League contracts beginning with the 2020-21 season. Malone has tied a career high with 13 goals and has totaled 31 points in 49 games with Bakersfield this season. The ninth-year pro from Chatham, N.B., has skated
Hockey has taken Matt Donovan to a number of places around the world. From Cedar Rapids to Denver to Long Island to Connecticut to Rochester to Frolunda to Nashville and Milwaukee, there’s one spot the longtime professional defenseman has never forgotten. As the first born, raised, and trained Oklahoman to play in the NHL, Donovan has
Inherently North American, the cross-country road trip provides the opportunity to see and sample local customs and cuisines while meshing the brilliant topographical tapestry with a soundtrack as customizable as the itinerary itself. Unless, of course, you’re making haste during a worldwide pandemic and not entirely sure the border to Canada will remain open long
Apr 27, 2020 By Andy Zilch/SanDiegoGulls.com The hockey world continues to remain in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this unprecedented time, many are finding new hobbies or mastering old interests. For Gulls rookie forward Max Comtois, he is showcasing a talent only one of his teammates knew about. His hidden talent: a black belt
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Troy Grosenick of the Milwaukee Admirals has been selected as the winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award as the 2019-20 IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year. This award has been presented annually since 1998 to an AHL player for his outstanding contributions to
The Cleveland Monsters have signed forward Adam Helewka to an AHL contract for the 2020-21 season. Helewka posted six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 38 games with Linkoping of the Swedish Hockey League in 2019-20. He also recorded a goal and two assists in eight games with Barys Nur-Sultan of the KHL.
If the COVID-19 pandemic hadn’t halted the AHL season, Justin Bailey would likely be playing big minutes right now in the Utica Comets’ first-round playoff series. Of course, given the scoring prowess the former Buffalo Sabres prospect showcased – 28 goals in only 53 games – he could’ve earned another recall to the Vancouver Canucks.