Hockey News

SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Rampage announced today that Mike Ermatinger has been named the Head Athletic Trainer for the Rampage, the Phoenix Coyotes’ primary American Hockey League affiliate.

Ermatinger joins the Rampage from the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL where he spent last season working as the team’s Head Athletic Trainer. Prior to joining the Sea Wolves, Ermatinger worked as the Athletic Trainer for the Youngstown SteelHounds of the Central Hockey League (CHL) where he was honored with the CHL’s 2007 Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - The Binghamton Senators announced today that Grady Whittenburg has been named the new director of broadcasting for the American Hockey League franchise. Whittenburg returns to the B-Sens after spending the 2007-08 season with the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals.

“The organization is happy to welcome Grady back this season,” said Tom Mitchell, the Senators executive vice president of operations. “Grady was here in 2002 when the franchise was born, so it’s great to have one of our founding staff members come home.”

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The Chicago Wolves have named JASON SHAVER the team’s play-by-play announcer.

The 35-year-old announcer will join Color Analyst BILL GARDNER in the booth to broadcast every regular-season Wolves game - including all 40 home contests - as well as every playoff game, live on Comcast Digital Channel 100. This marks the sixth season of the club’s comprehensive television broadcasts.

SHAVER, who most recently served as the director of broadcasting for the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros, will make his Wolves debut on Oct. 11, when Chicago opens its 15th season with a matchup against his former team at the Toyota Center in Houston.

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Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, the 2007-08 regular season points champions of the American Hockey League, today announced that head coach Scott Gordon has been named the new head coach of the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders. Gordon, the reigning AHL Coach of the Year, becomes the 14th head coach in Islanders history, agreeing to a multiple-year contract.

Gordon, 45, heads south to New York following eight seasons coaching in Providence, the last five spent as a head coach. Since taking over for Mike Sullivan late in 2002-03 as the eighth bench boss in Providence’s franchise, Gordon compiled a regular season record of 221-141-20-14-13 (W-L-T-OTL-SOL), in addition to taking his clubs to five straight playoff berths. He leaves Rhode Island following his best season behind the bench, guiding the P-Bruins to an AHL-best record of 55-18-3-4 and 117 points. Providence ranked second in the league in goals scored and seventh in fewest goals against in 2007-08. Gordon’s club also led the AHL in shots taken and fewest shots against per game.

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WILKES-BARRE, PA - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have signed goaltenders Adam Berkhoel and Curtis Darling, it was announced on Friday by Pittsburgh Penguins Assistant General Manager Chuck Fletcher.

Berkhoel, 27, appeared in 31 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) last season, posting a 10-14-4 record with one shutout and a 2.93 goals against average. A former eighth round draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks (240th overall in 2000), Berkhoel has appeared in nine NHL games during his four-year career (all with the Atlanta Thrashers), going 2-4-1 with a 3.80 goals against average.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray announced today that the club has signed center Zack Smith to an entry-level contract. Smith, who attended the Senators’ development camp in late June, was the club’s third pick, 79th overall, in the 2008 NHL entry draft.

Last year Smith led the Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos in scoring with 69 points on 22 goals in 72 games, while adding 136 penalty minutes. He added five goals, five assists and 29 penalty minutes in 12 playoff games for the Broncos, who were eventually defeated by the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL’s Eastern Conference semi-final.

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SAN ANTONIO - The Hockey News has ranked the San Antonio Rampage logo #2 in the American Hockey League in a poll on THN.com. The rankings are part of The Hockey News’ Ultimate Logo Tournament.

For a complete list of the AHL rankings at THN.com click here. http://thehockeynews.com/articles/17449-THNcoms-AHL-Logo-Rankings.html

The Hockey News Ultimate Logo Tournament

Using the rankings, a tournament on THN.com will take place. The event will pit 40 teams from every league against each other, regardless of home attendance, winning record or prominence.

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The Chicago Wolves have named JASON SHAVER the team’s play-by-play announcer.

The 35-year-old announcer will join Color Analyst BILL GARDNER in the booth to broadcast every regular-season Wolves game - including all 40 home contests - as well as every playoff game, live on Comcast Digital Channel 100. This marks the sixth season of the club’s comprehensive television broadcasts.

SHAVER, who most recently served as the director of broadcasting for the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros, will make his Wolves debut on Oct. 11, when Chicago opens its 15th season with a matchup against his former team at the Toyota Center in Houston.

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(Rochester, NY)… Rochester Americans General Manager Jody Gage announced today that the Florida Panthers have re-signed center Drew Larman to a one-year deal. As per club policy, financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to have signed Drew for another season and look forward to his continued growth in our organization,” Florida Panthers General Manager Jacques Martin said. “He has had the opportunity to play with our club and understands the commitment and work ethic needed to compete in the NHL.”

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(Rochester, NY)… The Rochester Americans continue to put together new packages for fans of all ages. Beginning this season, the Amerks have created a new package just for kids with the founding of the Kids’ Club: “The Mooseketeers.”

The members of the exclusive club will receive great bonuses for joining for just $20.00. With the membership, each child ages 12 and under will receive a personalized welcome package with a certificate, ID and lanyard, T-shirt, moose antlers, special drinking cup, a letter from the Amerks players and many extras. Also included in the membership are free tickets to games, special Amerks related discounts, membership to the Amerks’ Insider and much more.

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