Keith Aucoin signs 2 year deal with Caps
July 3, 2008
Former BC Icemen, Keither Aucoin, has a signed a 2 year deal with the Washington Capitals after playing the last 3 years in the Hurricans system.
Arlington, VA (Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals signed center Keith Aucoin to a two-year contract, the team announced on Thursday. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.
Aucoin, 29, split last season between the Carolina Hurricanes and Albany of the American Hockey League. In 38 games at the NHL level, Aucoin tallied five goals and eight assists.
The 5-foot-9, 187-pound center has played in 53 games over parts of three seasons with Carolina, posting five goals and 10 assists.
Aucoin has played 7 years in the AHL and NHL since his pro debut in Binghamton. He has 5 goals and 10 assist in 53 NHL games. In 435 career AHL games he has scored 134 goals and 299 assists for 433 points.
Vandermeers reunited in Calgary
July 2, 2008
Former BC Icemen Pete Vandermeer and his brother Jim have both signed with the Calgary Flames. The brothers last played together for the Philadelphia Phantoms, the Flyers AHL farm team. No word on whether Pete actually landed an NHL contract or if it is a 2 way deal.
Calgary Flames GM Darryl Sutter announced Wednesday the re-signing of defencemen Jim Vandermeer, the signing of forward Peter Vandermeer and the signing of Curtis Glencross.
“Jim is a young defenceman who fits in very well with our group and brings us the element of toughness that is important for our team,” said Sutter. “He is clearly a player who plays in our top six. Jim gives us five defencemen still on the up swing and we know we have them for the next 3-5 years.”
Bobby Robins signs with Belfast
July 2, 2008
Former Binghamton Senator and Elmira Jackal, Bobby Robins has signed with the Belfast Giants.
Monday, June 23rd, 2008 - The Coors Belfast Giants are delighted to announce the double signing of former college teammates Bobby Robins and Andrew Martin for the 2008-09 ice hockey season. Both players played under Steve Thornton’s former college coach, Blaise Macdonald, at University of Massachusetts-Lowell and came with glowing references. They have both made smooth transitions to pro hockey and are excited to start their European careers with the Coors Belfast Giants.
Bobby Robins spent last season with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL where he produced 35 points and 151 penalty minutes in 68 games. He comes to Belfast with over 100 games of AHL experience in the last 2 and-a-half years.
Andrew Ebbett signs 2 year deal
June 23, 2008
The Ducks have signed Andrew Ebbett to a 2 year contract extension. Ebbett had a break out year with the Binghamton Senators in 2006/07, but let him walk away at the end of the year.
The Anaheim Ducks announced Wednesday that they have signed goaltender Jonas Hiller and center Andrew Ebbett to two-year contract extensions through the 2009-10 NHL season. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.
Ebbett, 25 (1/2/83), played in 74 games last season with Portland, Anaheim’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). Ebbett scored 18-54=72 points with 66 penalty minutes (PIM), leading the Pirates in scoring and assists.
Aucoin called up to Carolina
October 24, 2007
Keith Aucoin has been recalled to Carolina after injuries to Eric Cole, Andrew Ladd and Scott Walker. Looks like it could be a longer stay for Aucoin than his previous trips to the NHL.
The Carolina Hurricanes recalled forwards Keith Aucoin and Ryan Bayda on Monday.
Aucoin, who set Rats records for assists (72) and points (99) last season, had six points in five games this season. Bayda led Albany last season with 29 goals and has scored once in four games this month after returning from Carolina, where he opened the season.
“It could be two to four or maybe even six weeks,” Rats coach/general manager Tom Rowe said of the time Aucoin and Bayda will be in the NHL.
The ‘Canes have lost forwards Eric Cole, Andrew Ladd and Scott Walker indefinitely to injuries. Cole has a sprained foot, Ladd a twisted ankle and Walker an injured chest.
Cole and Ladd are expected to miss 7-10 days, according to Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford. Walker’s return is uncertain.
I also stumbled upon a great article about why Aucoin shouldn’t be in the AHL. Good timing by the writer, maybe Aucoin’s AHL does are done. I believe he’ll need to clear waivers if he is sent down again, just like Hamel last season, and could be picked up by another club.
Keith Aucoin doesn’t belong in Albany. He doesn’t deserve to be a River Rat.
The center shouldn’t be on the banners or the cover of the media guide. He shouldn’t have been on the ice Saturday night for the home opener, a 2-1 shootout loss to the Norfolk Admirals at Times Union Center.
Simply, Aucoin is an NHLer trapped in the minors. He should boarding planes bound for Boston or Miami, not hopping on buses headed for Syracuse or Hershey. He should be up with the parent club, the Carolina Hurricanes, or perhaps another NHL team.
Luttinen returning to Finland
October 5, 2007
I guess Artu Luttinen didn’t like Peoria. The former B-Sens winger has returned home and signed with HIFK Helsinki.
Billy Thompson signs with Victoria in the ECHL
October 3, 2007
Mike Sharp finally got a Billy Thompson siting today.
With the parent Vancouver Canucks content to keep Julien Ellis with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, at least for the time being, the Salmon Kings felt they needed another goaltender to supplement a depth chart that includes the returning Bryan Bridges.
It appears as if they have landed a solid one in Thompson, a six-foot-two native of Saskatoon, who spent the past four seasons in the AHL with the Binghampton Senators and Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Payer, Ebbett assigned to AHL
September 24, 2007
Serge Payer and Andrew Ebbett, two of the few B-Sens from last years horrid team to remain in North America this season, have both been assigned to AHL team. Ebbett was assigned to Portland by the Ducks and Payer to Houston by the Wild. I doubt Payer will get called up this year, but I’m hopeful Ebbett will put up even better numbers on a better team and get a call up this season. FYI - Ebbett is now ranked 17th on Anaheims prospect chart. Not bad for an undrafted free agent.
Don’t let the door hit you in the…
August 27, 2007
Wow…not only were most of the players from last years terrible B-Sens purged from the team, they’ve been kicked off the continent! Check out how many of these guys have ended up overseas. Still no sign of Kelly Guard signing anywhere.
- Michal Barinka (CZE)
- Charlie Cook (HIFK Helsinki)
- Jean-Francois David (EHC Black Wings Linz)
- Andrew Ebbett (Anaheim)
- Jeff Heerema (Frankfurt Lions)
- Andy Hedlund (DEG Metrostars)
- Matt Koalska (HC Bolzano)
- Neil Komadoski (Peoria)
- Brian Maloney (DEL Krefeld Pinguine)
- Serge Payer (Minnesota)
- Cory Pecker (HC Lausanne)
- Neil Petruic (HC Bolzano)
- Grant Potulny (Hershey)
- Rory Rawlyk (EV Regensburg)
- Ryan Vesce (HIFK Helsinki)
- Terry Virtue (Retired/HFD Asst. Coach)
Thanks Jason for compiling this list.
Hedlund signs with Germany, Koalska with Italy
August 22, 2007
Another measure of the poor quality of our team last season may be looking at how many players are not getting AHL contracts this year. The latest to go overseas is Andy Hedlund and Matt Koalska:
Andy Hedlund signs with DEG Metrostars in Germany
Matt Koalska signs with HC Bolzano in Italy
