“This year’s Pro Placement Camp is going to be an exciting one. We are really going to push the players so that we can find out who will have the best chance to go to our main camp and excel,” said Jackals head coach Dwight Mullins.

The Pro Placement Camp provides an opportunity for three players to earn a spot in the Jackals’ main training camp leading up to the 2013-14 ECHL season. Coaches and scouts from other professional teams and leagues will also be on hand to evaluate and scout players for the upcoming season.

To sign up for the Jackals Pro Placement Camp, interested players can download the registration form or call the Jackals office at 607-734-7825 and ask for camp administrator Ray Schmitt. Limited spots are open for forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders. Registration is open now until August 16, 2013. Any applications received after August 16 will not be accepted.

Past participants in the Jackals Pro Placement Camp have gone on to play in the ECHL, Central Hockey League, Southern Professional Hockey League, and Federal Hockey League.

All Pro Placement Camp sessions will take place at the First Arena Recreational Rink and are free for the public to attend.

Elmira Jackals Press Release

Image: Texas Stars

In preparation for the fifth season of AHL hockey in Cedar Park, the Stars will make a significant shift in their road jersey colors. Texas is replacing the all-black away uniform with a primarily dark green jersey, the same dark green that is featured in the team’s logo, and the crest patch will feature the team’s secondary logo. The shoulder cap is white with a primary logo patch on each side. The collar is gold and includes a white lace tie-up. The sweater will also have thick white bands on each sleeve and along the bottom hem, trimmed with black and gold. The matching socks will be principally dark green with three bands of black, gold and white just below the knee.

Texas’ new home jersey is a jersey that was unveiled initially as the team’s alternate jersey prior to the 2011-12 season. The jersey is a predominately white jersey trimmed in dark green and gold, emblazoned with the Texas Stars primary logo on the front crest. The shoulders are dark green and have small patches featuring the Stars’ secondary logo. During the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons the team wore the alternate jersey with the original home socks, which were half white, half dark green, bisected by a thick gold band. The 2013-14 home uniforms will feature a newly designed sock of all white with bands of dark green and gold.

“We are very excited about our new jersey designs and we believe they will help our continuous efforts to strengthen the Texas Stars brand and team identity,” said Stars president Rick McLaughlin. “We have enjoyed tremendous success on and off the ice over the past four seasons and we are really looking forward to initiating our fifth anniversary celebration with this great new look.”

The new jerseys were designed by the Texas Stars in conjunction with Reebok, the official and exclusive jersey supplier to the American Hockey League. The jerseys will be available in both replica and authentic versions at the Texas Stars merchandise stands beginning this Fall.

Texas Stars Press Release

The award honors an On-Ice Official for his contributions and dedication to the league officiating staff and is determined in voting of ECHL On-Ice Officials. It is named in honor of ECHL linesman Ryan Birmingham who tragically lost his life in an automobile accident in May 2007.

“I would like to thank my fellow officials for selecting me as the recipient of the 2012-13 Birmingham award,” Phillips said. “Receiving the Birmingham Award is one of the greatest achievements of my officiating career. Over my 1,000-plus games in the ECHL, I have been dedicated to providing the best hockey experience for the players, coaches and fans alike, as well as mentoring younger officials to elevate them to their highest potential on and off the ice. To be recognized for this service is a great honor.”

Phillips worked his 1,000th, and final, ECHL game on March 16, 2013 in Toledo, joining current ECHL Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Ernst, who was a referee in the league from 1991-2006, and former ECHL linesman Norm Eberle, who worked in the league from 1989-2006, as the only officials to reach the 1,000 game milestone in the 25-year history of the ECHL.

Phillips, who worked 15 seasons in the ECHL, worked his first game in October 1998 along with referee Bryan Graham and linesman Nygel Pelletier. He worked the 2001 ECHL All-Star Game in Arkansas and worked nine Kelly Cup Finals, the most of any linesman in ECHL history.

“This award is a very fitting end to Brad’s on-ice career in the ECHL,” Ernst said. Having become just the third official to work 1,000 games, and now to have his fellow officials bestow on him the Birmingham Award, is a tremendous honor. We Thank Brad for all his hard work throughout his career and congratulate him on winning this award.”

The 2007-08 edition of the ECHL Rule Book was dedicated to the memory of Birmingham, who was featured on the back cover, and ECHL on-ice officials wore a commemorative patch on their left shoulder that has 60, which is the number that Birmingham wore, and the initials RJB.

Birmingham began his officiating career when he was 12 years old in the Southgate Minor Hockey Association and worked his way into the USA Hockey Junior Officiating Development Program in 2003. Birmingham was hired as a full-time linesman by the ECHL in 2006 and worked 83 games in the regular season and four games in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, including his final game, Florida at Charlotte, on April 17, 2007.

There are 26 former ECHL officials scheduled to work as part of the NHL officiating team in 2012-13 with referees Darcy Burchell, Francis Charron, Ghislain Hebert, Jean Hebert, Marc Joannette, Trent Knorr, Mike Leggo, Dave Lewis, T.J. Luxmore, Wes McCauley, Jon McIsaac, Dean Morton, Dan O’Rourke, Brian Pochmara, Kevin Pollock, Kyle Rehman, Chris Rooney, Graham Skilliter, Justin St. Pierre and Ian Walsh, and linesmen Steve Barton, Matt MacPherson, Brian Mach, Tim Nowak, Bryan Pancich and Jay Sharrers.

Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award Winners
2013     Brad Phillips
2012     Jason Rollins
2011     Paul Carnathan
2010     Ray King
2009     Michel Voyer
2008     David Jones

ECHL Press Release

“Obviously leaving the game that you have played your whole life is difficult to do. I still believe I could play at a high level but do not think it is worth the potential long term effects that another year or more in net could have on my body,” Boucher said. “I am leaving the game having last skated on Komet ice as a champion, a privilege that few players can say they have had at the end of their careers. I want to thank the Franke family and the Komet organization from coaches to trainers to office staff and everyone in between for making me feel like a part of the Komet family from the moment I rolled into town 6 years ago. I could have never guessed when I came here in fall 2007 that such success would follow and that I would learn to call Fort Wayne home.”

The Victoria, British Columbia native began his pro career in 2003-04 splitting the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) and Wheeling (ECHL). After three seasons, Boucher played his fourth pro year in Europe where he led Tilburg to the 2007 Dutch Superliga Championship.

Boucher returned to the states and made his Fort Wayne debut in 2007-08 leading IHL goaltenders with a 2.32 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in 31 games before topping league netminders in the playoffs with a 2.09 goals-against average en route to his first Fort Wayne championship.

In 2008-09 Boucher again led IHL goalies in the regular season (2.43 GAA, .919 Spct.) and playoffs (1.75 GAA, .938 Spct.) while also leading with 32 regular season wins and earning the IHL Goaltender of the Year Award and the Komets’ Most Valuable Player of the Year honor.

In 2009-10 Boucher became the first Komet goaltender to capture three league championships with his third straight crown while leading IHL goalies in the playoffs for the third consecutive year with a 2.62 goals-against average.

“Nick was the catalyst for all three consecutive championships,” Komet president Michael Franke said. “His mindset was to keep the puck out of the net, and in the playoffs that is exactly what he did. His place in Komet Hockey history is set. No one will ever backstop three straight championships again.”

Boucher, 32, completed his playing career with the 2011-12 season, his ninth pro year and fifth straight season with the Fort Wayne Komets. He capped his professional playing career leading league goaltenders with a career high 32 wins and was named starting goaltender for the 2012 CHL All-Star Team. Boucher was honored by his fellow teammates with his second Most Valuable Player of the Year Award before matching the Komet record of 12 playoff wins by a goaltender, set by Pokey Reddick in 1993, while collecting his fourth Fort Wayne league championship.

“The four championships in Fort Wayne that Nick won is an accomplishment that legends are made of in hockey,” Komet general manager David Franke said. “If it wasn’t for Nick’s high competitive nature and unwavering focus to win, these championships probably would not have happened. Nick is a Komet living legend and his accomplishments bear that out.”

In addition to his four league championships with Fort Wayne, Boucher also scored two league regular season titles along the way (2007-08, 2008-09) and was named Goaltender of the Week 11 times and Goaltender of the Month on six occasions.

Boucher finishes his Fort Wayne career with overall (regular season and playoffs) totals of 162 wins, 77 losses, 18 overtime/shootout losses, 13 shutouts and 2.51 goals-against average in 265 appearances.

Boucher has announced his new career as a senior loan officer with Fort Wayne-based residential mortgage lender Ruoff Home Mortgage and will conduct business from its southwest Fort Wayne office located at 6920 Pointe Inverness Way, Suite 110. “I look forward to my new career at Ruoff Home Mortgage and seeing the Komets play from the seats of the Coliseum rather than from ice level,” Boucher stated. “And finally, thank you to the fans. Without them Komet hockey would not exist to be as special as we all know it to be.”

Nick Boucher’s pro hockey career at a glance- -1999-00-Began his college career at Dartmouth College, NCAA. Named Dartmouth Rookie of the Year and team MVP for 1999-00. -2000-Drafted by Pittsburgh in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

2003 Graduated from Dartmouth as the all-time leader in wins (50) and save percentage (.907). -2004-Named to the 2004 ECHL All-Rookie Team. -2006-07-Led Tilburg to the 2007 Dutch Superliga Championship. -2007-08-Made his debut with the Komets posting his first Fort Wayne Championship. Led IHL goaltenders with 2.32 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. Also led goalies in the playoffs with 2.09 goals-against average. Earned a career season high three league Goaltender of the Month Awards (Nov., Dec., Feb.).

2008-09 Led IHL goaltenders for second straight year in regular season and playoffs in goals-against average and save percentage (Regular season: 2.43 goals-against average, .919 save percentage. Playoffs: 1.75 goals-against average, .938 save percentage) while leading with 32 wins. Awarded a career season high five Goaltender of the Week Awards including a stretch of receiving the honor each week for three straight weeks. Named IHL Goaltender of the Year. Named an IHL First Team All-Star and was voted by fellow teammates as the Komets’ Most Valuable Player of the Year before capturing his second straight Komet league Championship.

2009-10 Led IHL goaltenders for the third straight season in the playoffs with 2.62 goals-against-average en route to his third straight Komet league Championship. -2011-12-His ninth pro season, fifth straight season with Fort Wayne. Topped CHL goaltenders and matched his career high of 32 wins. Registered three shutouts for 2011-12 for a total of 11 Fort Wayne career shutouts and 21 as a pro. Named starting goaltender to the 2012 CHL All-Star Team. Named the Komets’ Most Valuable Player of the Year as selected by the players. Collected his fourth Fort Wayne Championship (CHL Presidents’ Cup) and tied Pokey Reddick for a Komet record of 12 playoff wins by a goaltender.

Fort Wayne career summary: Regular season: GP 217 W 129 L 53 OTL/SOL 18 GAA 2.53 Shutouts 11

Playoffs:
GP 48 W 33 L 13
GAA 2.46
Shutouts 2

FW totals:
GP 265 W 162 L 66 OTL/SOL 18
GAA 2.51
Shutouts 13

Four league championships (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012) and two league regular season titles (IHL, 2007-08, 2008-09).

One Goaltender of the Year Award (IHL, 2008-09) and was named league Goaltender of the Week 11 times and Goaltender of the Month on six occasions.

Top goaltender in the league in goals-against average and save percentage three straight seasons (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10).

Fort Wayne Komets Press Release

Matt Hufnagel, who was general manager of both First Arena and the Jackals for 2012-13 has been retained as the general manager of First Arena.

“Robbie and Dwight make up the core of what is going to be an impressive hockey staff for the Jackals. Dwight did a tremendous job under adverse circumstances to lead the team to the playoffs last year. Robbie’s wealth of experience as a manager, coach, and player at the professional level speaks for itself and we’re thrilled to have him back,” said Jackals and First Arena owner Tom Freeman.

Nichols returns to the Jackals after a one-year hiatus to take on his seventh season as general manager of the club. As the GM from 2007 to 2012, Nichols helped construct Jackals squads that compiled a 194-128-34 record and qualified for the playoffs each year. He also took over as head coach for the final 19 games of 2010-11 and guided the Jackals to a 9-7-3 record down the stretch.

As the vice president and general manager of the Jackals, Nichols will oversee the team’s ticket sales and corporate partnership efforts, as well as the team’s hockey operations.

“I’m thankful that Tom Freeman and Nate Cook have given me the opportunity to come back to the Jackals. This is an exciting time to be involved with the Jackals as we open a new chapter in our history, and I can’t wait to get to work with Dwight to put the team together,” said Nichols.

Mullins will be back for his second season with the Jackals after notching a 40-25-7 record in 2012-13. He was hired to replace his predecessor Pat Bingham last September just days before the Jackals opened training camp. He went on to win 40 games, or more, for the third time in four years as a pro head coach and qualified for the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. From 2009 to 2012 Mullins coached the Central Hockey League’s Allen Americans and built a 128-51-17 record.

“I am happy that Tom Freeman and Nate Cook have given me the chance to come back and coach the Jackals again. As a team, we accomplished a lot last season but fell short of our ultimate goal – a championship. Now it’s time to get to work and build a championship-caliber team that Jackals fans will enjoy cheering for,” said Mullins.

Elmira Jackals Press Release

The award is determined in a vote of league media members, media relations directors and broadcasters.

“We are proud to present Andrew with the 2012-13 ECHL Outstanding Media Award,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. “He has provided Stingrays’ fans with top-notch coverage for well over a decade, and is certainly well-deserving of this award.”

“It’s an incredible honor to be given an award like this, especially considering some of the past winners like Christine Troyke (Gwinnett) and Doyle Woody (Alaska), two journalists I truly respect and admire,” Miller said. “I couldn’t do my job without the tremendous support and hard work from my colleagues at The Post and Courier. My job is made so much easier working with everyone in the Stingrays front office, especially team president Rob Concannon and head coach Spencer Carbery. A special thank you goes out to my broadcast partner and Stingrays media relations director Joey Zakrzewski, who makes coming to work every day a pleasure.”

Miller has worked at The Post and Courier for more than two decades and has covered the Stingrays since 1998. In addition to covering the Stingrays, he also is the paper’s beat writer for the College of Charleston and Charleston Battery soccer team and has covered everything from high school sports to the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He also provides color commentary for the Stingrays’ home broadcasts. Miller is from Chicago, Ill., and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1986 with a degree in journalism.

ECHL Outstanding Media Award Winners
2013 Andrew Miller The Post and Courier
2012 Christine Troyke Gwinnett Daily Post
2011 Pam Shebest Kalamazoo Gazette
2010 Doyle Woody Anchorage Daily News
2009 Mike Griffith Bakersfield Californian
2008 Doyle Woody Anchorage Daily News Cleve Dheensaw Victoria Times-Colonist
2007 Scott Linesburgh The Stockton Record
2006 Matt Nevala Anchorage Daily News
2005 Mike Mastovich Johnstown Tribune-Democrat
2004 Len Bardsley The Times of Trenton
2003 Dave Eminian Peoria Journal Star

ECHL Press Release

Van Guilder played his fourth season for the Admirals in 2012-13, ranking fifth on the team in goals, and tying for fifth in points (14g-18a-32pts). The Roseville, Minn., was also named the Admirals Man of the Year, and a finalist for the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, for his outstanding contributions to the Milwaukee community for the third consecutive season in 2012-13. In 241 career AHL contests since 2008-09, Van Guilder has 84 points (36g-48a).

The 6-1, 186-pound winger never missed a game during four seasons at the University of Notre Dame, amassing 98 points (42g-56a) in 163 games. Van Guilder captained the Irish to the 2008 NCAA National Championship Game as a senior, and was a 2008 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Second-Team All-American and one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

Milwaukee Admirals Press Release

Svedberg recently completed his second full professional season with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Elite League. In 51 games in 2012-13, the 6-8 defenseman marked a pair of assists with 24 PIMs.

Overall, Svedberg has played in parts of three seasons with Frolunda and has totaled 115 games with 3g-4a-7pts. Svedberg also played his junior hockey in Frolunda along with in Rogle, playing in 126 career games, notching 15g-40a-55pts with 243 PIMs.

The Gothenburg, Sweden native participated in the Chicago Blackhawks prospect camp in July 2012.

Rockford IceHogs Press Release

The teams will be owned and operated by Illinois Pro Sports, LLC, whose members have extensive experience at all levels of professional hockey.

Both cities will hold official press conferences on Wednesday, May 22. The Peoria announcement will take place at 10:00 am at the Peoria Civic Center Great Hall, with the Bloomington presser to follow at the US Cellular Coliseum Bud Light Lounge at 2:00 pm.

“We are pleased that the SPHL Board of Governors unanimously approved both Peoria and Bloomington markets as new members of the SPHL,” said Illinois Pro Sports partner Bruce Saurs. “This is a new era for professional hockey in Central Illinois and we look forward to carrying on the rich tradition fans have come to enjoy over the years.”

“We are excited to welcome Bloomington and Peoria into the league,” added SPHL President Jim Combs. “The addition of two teams in the Midwest opens up a new range of opportunities for the SPHL.”

Southern Professional Hockey League Press Release

The CHL Media Services Award is ‘Presented annually to the media member that has provided outstanding service to and coverage of the CHL while helping to further the recognition of the league’s brand’.

“It is a great honor to receive this award from the Central Hockey League,” commented Ewing.  “The recognition represents the standard of excellence in reporting I believe this league and its teams should receive on a consistent basis.  The Wichita Thunder organization is second to none in cultivating relationships with the media and given the access they provide and the quality of character in and outside of the locker room.  It is difficult to imagine any level of reporting less than that which this award celebrates and I am deeply thankful for it.”

Ewing works for KAKE in Wichita, the ABC affiliate, and through numerous reports, stories and special assignments has distinguished himself as one of the top television reporters covering the CHL.  In the past, Ewing has taken road trips with the team and has covered their last two playoff runs to the CHL Finals with player related features and stories.

“Shane has been a huge proponent of the CHL since his relocation to Wichita more than a year ago,” said Bob Hoffman, CHL Director of Operations.  “His features help the hockey and sports fans in Wichita follow the team while seeing some interesting, personal stories that help them relate to the players in different ways.  His ability to cover the team not just on the ice, but with their daily routine made his selection as this year’s winner an easy one.”

Prior to moving to Wichita and joining KAKE, Ewing worked in Montana as a sports anchor/reporter in Butte (KXLF), Bozeman (KBZK) and Missoula (KPAX) and before his on-air career, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Temple University in Philadelphia.

Central Hockey League Media Services Award Winners
2013- Shane Ewing (KAKE Sports Anchor and Reporter)
2012- Kevin Pyle (Freelance Photographer)
2011- Jim Holland (Rapid City Journal)
2010- Bill Althaus (Independence Examiner)
2009- Hector Acevedo (Denver Daily News Photographer)

Wichita Thunder Press Release