Then and Now: Ville Leino

By Craig F
Posted on 05/08/2013 at 11:00 am

After spending parts of six seasons in the SM-liiga, Ville Leino became a member of the Detroit Red Wings’ organization for the 2008-2009 campaign. The forward spent time with the Tampereen Ilves, HPK, and Jokerit before he spent most of his first season with the Wings’ franchise in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Leino saw regular season and postseason action for both the Griffins and Red Wings during 2008-2009, as he posted 46 points in 57 games with Grand Rapids and nine points in 13 tilts with Detroit. In the AHL playoffs, Leino totaled three goals and 10 …

Brandon Alderson (left) with the Greyhounds. Image courtesy of kitchenerrangers.com

Future Flyers Report: Stolarz and Alderson Sign, Wahl Added

By Craig F
Posted on 03/04/2013 at 9:00 am

The Philadelphia Flyers signed a pair of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds to entry-level contracts this week. One of those was expected, as goaltending prospect Anthony Stolarz inked a deal. The other signing wasn’t, as forward Brandon Alderson also joined the organization. Stolarz continues to impress in the OHL with the London Knights. With three wins this week, Stolarz extended his winning streak to seven straight starts and improved his record to 11-2-1 with the Knights. During this personal winning streak, Stolarz has produced three games where he has allowed one goal against or less and two games where he allowed …

Then and Now: Nolan Baumgartner

By Craig F
Posted on 01/02/2013 at 9:00 am

After the New York Islanders picked Brett Lindros ninth overall in the 1994 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals selected defenseman Nolan Baumgartner. The four players picked after the Canadian d-man were former San Jose Shark and New Jersey Devil Jeff Friesen, Wade Belak, Mattias Ohlund, and Ethan Moreau. All four of those players turned out to play more seasons in the NHL than Baumgartner, who totaled 10 years at hockey’s highest level. Baumgartner suited up for the Caps, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, and the Pittsburgh Penguins before he became a member of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2006. The blue liner signed …

Trenton Update: 12/14-12/20

By Craig F
Posted on 12/21/2012 at 9:00 am

The Trenton Titans started to climb out of the ECHL’s Eastern Conference cellar this week by winning three of their four contests. In addition to the six points they gained in their three victories, the Titans earned a point in their only loss this week, which came in an overtime defeat at home. Trenton also showcased their offensive abilities by scoring 18 goals over the four-game span, as they potted at least four goals in each tilt. The Titans look for more points this week when they take on the team at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, a team …

Then and Now: Niko Dimitrakos

By Craig F
Posted on 06/13/2012 at 9:00 am

Before suffering a groin injury in the middle of February this season, Tom Sestito had played in 14 games for the Philadelphia Flyers posting an assist and 83 PIMs. The Orange and Black obtained Sestito in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets in February of 2011, where the Flyers shipped Greg Moore and Michael Chaput to Ohio in exchange for the hulking forward. Columbus was able to draft Sestito with the third-round pick they acquired in a draft-day deal with the San Jose Sharks in 2004, which sent a fourth-rounder in 2006 and a second-rounder in 2007 San Jose’s …

Roloson’s Goaltending And Carle’s Goof Lead To Flyers’ Loss

By Craig F
Posted on 03/27/2012 at 12:14 am

The Flyers may have outshot the Tampa Bay Lightning 38-15 in tonight’s contest, but Dwayne Roloson stopped 35 to lead the Bolts to a 5-3 win over the Flyers. It didn’t help that Matt Carle flubbed a routine play behind the Flyers’ net to hand Tampa Bay the game-winning goal in the third period, as the Lightning beat Philly for a third time in the four-game series. With just under three minutes left in the third period, the Flyers were looking for the game-tying goal when Carle skated behind Ilya Bryzgalov’s cage. Without any pressure from the Lightning’s forwards, Carle …

Minor League Update: 2/20-2/26

By Craig F
Posted on 02/27/2012 at 9:00 am

The Phantoms lost their first game of the week, but won their last two to win back-to-back games for the first time since the middle of January. With their shootout win and one-goal victory, the Phantoms are looking for their first three-game winning streak since early December. Although they are 13th in the Eastern Conference, the Phantoms, who have two road games and one game in Adirondack over the next few days, are five points out of eighth place. To start the week, the Phantoms were shut out on the road by David Leggio and the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate) on Friday night by …

Minor League Update: 2/13-2/19

By Craig F
Posted on 02/20/2012 at 9:00 am

The Adirondack Phantoms won half of their games this week, as they ended their lengthy road losing streak in the process. After they went without a single road win in the months of December and January, the Phantoms finally earned a win away from home. Adirondack will try to climb back into the playoff picture this week, as they finish their four-game road trip before they return home on Sunday. The Phantoms extended their losing streak to four games on Tuesday night, as they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate) in overtime. Mike Zigomanis …

Minor League Update: 1/30-2/5

By Craig F
Posted on 02/06/2012 at 9:00 am

The Phantoms ended their five-game losing streak this week, as they went 1-1-0 in a pair of games in Adirondack. Despite a win in their first game of the week, the Phantoms lost their second game to drop their record to 2-7-0 in their last nine games. Adirondack is looking for a pair of wins in the upcoming week, as they play the team they beat this week twice on the road. The Phantoms ended their lengthy losing streak with a 3-1 decision over the Norfolk Admirals (Tampa Bay Lightning’s AHL affiliate) on Friday night. The newly acquired forward Matt Ford …

Minor League Update: 1/8-1/14

By Craig F
Posted on 01/15/2012 at 12:00 pm

The Phantoms won both of their games this week and are inching their way to the top of the standings. The pair of victories marked the first time the Phantoms had won back-to-back games in regulation since their wins against the Syracuse Crunch (the Anaheim Ducks’ AHL affiliate) on November 30th and the Norfolk Admirals (the Tampa Bay Lightning AHL affiliate) on December 2nd. Adirondack looks to add on to their winning streak with a trio of divisional games this week. Friday the 13th is usually unlucky, but it proved fortuitous for the Phantoms as they beat the visiting Hamilton …

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