OMGZ, u guys! PETER SCHAEFER!!!!111!!

Do you know what makes an already-loooooooooooooongish-feeling day ridiculously longer? A midmorning e-mail like this one: From: Doten, Jess To: Creegan, Heather OHMYGOD I JUST CHECKED TSN AND WE GOT PETER SCHAEFER FROM OTTAWA FOR SHEAN DONOVAN! OH! MY! GOD! Why? Because I had to sit there at work, being professional and unable to squeal and dance around the hallways like I totally wanted to do, until I came home. When you can't sit still OR stop grinning like a nutjob, that makes the day VERY VERY long. All I can say to you, internets, is that Heather likey this...

by Heather | 7:57 PM | 1
filed under: nhl news || nhl- BOSTON || nhl- OTTAWA || transactions

The NHL released the schedule; I suppressed a yawn.

So, we signed Dennis Widemaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan. He might want to forget this happened, but I love this video. (Thanks, M!) It just makes me wish he wasn't ours. Dear Dennis: We are terrible enough at shootouts. Please don't fudge it up for us any further. XOXO, Heather There's an article on NHL.com about some boys I know here. I disagree with a lot of Fluto's article here. Well, ok, mostly just the part about Manny being an upgrade in goal. I know I was excited about Chiarelli's moves to get Kobasew here, but I actually am not all that impressed with...

by Heather | 9:37 PM | 0
filed under: nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

Catching up, kind of.

So, I've been a little bit MIA. Sorry, internets. I've been a little bit stressed out with things going on in that annoying non-hockey part of life, and unfortunately, things around here took a giant backseat to that. The month of February is trying to break me, and I'm just trying to wait out the storm. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger and all that baloney. So, a quick recap: Jeremy Reich, Mark Stuart, and Bobby Allen are all up in Boston. Bobby's been up there for awhile, Jeremy has been up there about two weeks, and Mark was...

by Heather | 10:11 AM | 4
filed under: ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON || transactions

I love when hockey and photography come together harmoniously.

I'm not a world-renowned photographer, and sometimes, in my wildest fantasies, I like to think that career path might be my style, but regardless, it's things like this that help keep the fantasy alive: "When I decided to sell the collection, it was a big decision because it's almost 40 years of work," Brodeur told NHL.com. "But when I saw that the NHL was interested, that game me a boost because I knew that they would be well preserved and that part of it would go to Montreal for the 100th anniversary. I think that's going to be great." [...

by Heather | 2:04 PM | 0
filed under: ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news

Boston 3, Florida 8.

I spent yesterday embroiled in the sewing of princess dresses for my nieces' birthdays, and lost all concept of time until about 9pm. I then spent another 10 minutes hunting through the TV guide for the channel NESN is on. (I'm a DirecTv kind of girl living in a Comcast world. It's been tough.) I tuned into the game just as they were cutting away for the second intermission. At that point, the game was 4-2, in Florida's favor. It was, I thought, still kind of doable. Two goals is not generally a horrid deficit, and I thought we could...

by Heather | 10:45 AM | 4
filed under: ahl news || game related || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

Signing miscellany

I'm mid-sewing project (I promised my niece a trip to hockey boys and a Snow White dress, and she's finally calling me out on both counts, though she understands the hockey thing will have to wait until training camp), but I decided to check in with transactions and such, and ptttth: -Ben Guite has signed with the Colorado Avalanche. This is soooo not Boston/Providence. It's so very not Boston that maybe Jessica is right; maybe he needs a geography lesson. Adding insult to injury, this coming season is the season that NJ switches their AHL affiliate from Albany, NY to...

by Heather | 3:48 PM | 1
filed under: ahl news || nhl news

Happy back-from-vacation.

fireworks Originally uploaded by hcreegan. I hope y'all spent your Canada day or your Fourth of July (wherever applicable) without incident. I had a relaxing time hanging out in Jersey with a Devils fan that is by far the coolest fan they've got. (HI SHERRY!) OK, I told you about how we signed Zdeno Chara (five years/$37.5mil) and Marc Savard (five years/$20 mil) - I go away for five days, and the Bruins are all about commitment! like, what the heck? I hang out at home, and it's one-year this, two-year that! - and how we bought out Shawn...

by Heather | 12:49 PM | 1
filed under: nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

... And it's the end of June.

Didn't I say before that we've got to quit meeting like this? It's now almost the end of June, and I've just been so distant. I'm sorry, internets. I don't mean to ignore you, but the truth is that once Providence was ousted from the playoffs, I was relieved, because I've got all kinds of things going on off-line. 2006 seems to be the year for the HUGE, GIANT, life-changing things of un-fun to come along and run me over with a truck. It's a cop-out to type that and then not tell you the details, I know, but oh...

by Heather | 12:02 AM | 4
filed under: miscellaneous || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON || playoffs

The second monthly update. I hope I don't stress myself out or anything.

Tonight, at 11:15pm ET, ex-pBruins Milan Gajic (with the Gwinnett Gladiators) and Ryan Gaucher (with the Alaska Aces) will face off against each other for the final run to the Kelly Cup. And I know that there's all kinds of other interesting playoff races going on, like Buffalo vs Carolina and Anaheim against Edmonton (side note: how AWESOME was that anthem sing-along?) and I know that Portland was looking down the barrel of a four-game sweep to Hershey but has since rallied to push the series to a game 5 (pttth is what I say to YOU, ye AHL team...

by Heather | 8:51 PM | 4
filed under: ahl news || ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON || playoffs

Hi! It's MAY now!

My dearest internets: I have been spending my time organizing my photos from the season. Because I am endlessly fascinated by statistics, even though I can never remember them correctly OR figure any out in any way that is not the rudimentary, "1+1=2" simpleton way, I thought I would maybe share the following numbers with you, so you can see why I am a prime candidate for needing Photoholics Anonymous: Number of pictures taken at six days of training camp: 498 Number of pictures taken in Boston*: 1,662 Number of pictures taken at AHL games**: 3,786 Total number of pictures...

by Heather | 1:32 AM | 4
filed under: ahl news || miscellaneous || nhl news || playoffs

Almost a week later, and this is all I've got.

So, we have quite a bit to talk about, internets. Namely the fact that I keep up and disappearing on you, and pretending that there's more to life then hockey. I know, I know; blasphemy! Last Saturday, the Boston Bruins announced that they had relieved Mike O'Connell of his position within the organization. The odd timing of the decision was justified as upper management believing it was unfair to Mike to let him remain in the GM position until the end of the season once it was determined that he was going to be assigned the blame for this season....

by Heather | 10:33 PM | 1
filed under: ahl news || ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

A smattering of trade stuff.

First, the belated: Keith Aucoin is the AHL player of the week. Ben Walter was recalled because Sergei Samsonov got broken. Because Sammy is A-OK now, Ben's been returned to Providence. This is exciting for me, because it means that I can see a complete pBruins team tomorrow night. (And that's what it's all about, folks.) Today at 3pm is the trade deadline in the NHL. Boston hasn't been very busy - only acquiring Mariusz Czerkawski off waivers from Toronto, and that was yesterday. In other ex-Bruins trade news, Sean O'Donnell has been traded to Anaheim from Phoenix for future...

by Heather | 1:29 PM | 5
filed under: ahl news || ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

Some news, and some more typing out loud.

The Hockey Journal has a interesting piece on Charlie Jacobs here. I did not know that he was the brains behind the Bruins. I always kind of thought it was Jeremy. (Quippy one-liners about questioning the existence of "brains" within the Bruins management withheld, because... good god y'all, I am coming around on understanding why they do some of the moves they do. I AM NOT PROUD OF THIS, so like, keep it to yourselves, a'ight?) Inside Hockey gives out some midseason awards that aren't part of the normal package. SVO has three awards that it is currently assembling a...

by Heather | 12:42 PM | 7
filed under: ahl news || ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news

Catching up.

Tonight, Providence is at Lowell, Boston is at Pittsburgh, and Manchester is playing San Antonio. To recap the weekend: THURSDAY Boston vs Montreal- win, 3-1. Tim Thomas was in net. Goals from: FRIDAY Providence vs Albany- shoot-out loss, 4-3. Jordan was in net for Providence, and Providence goals came from Ben Walter, Eric Healey, and Zdenek Blatny. Albany got two assists each out of Danny McGillis and Alexander Mogilny. I... wish Dan was still a Bruin. I miss him in Boston. Providence was kept scoreless in the shoot-out, and Albany got the only goal they needed in the SO from...

by Heather | 10:34 AM | 4
filed under: ahl news || ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || game related || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

More about the radio thing later. Now, news.

Hi there. Maybe you remember me? I have been a little absent, lately. I am sorry. Do you realize that Boston has won two consecutive games and has potential to make the playoffs since we last talked? This is phenomenal! We have many things to catch up on, so let's get with the getting. Last Thursday, Boston won over Philly, 5-2. I went to the pBruins meet-and-greet at Fire + Ice, where I declared that Boston's odds of winning were better then the other three games in the season series because Feter Porsberg was out. And yes, I was stone-cold...

by Heather | 4:39 PM | 2
filed under: ahl news || ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || game related || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

Catch-up.

In IE at work and home, I have theahl.com set as my home page. When I opened it this morning to get to the business of doing work, I saw that the USA team'd been announced. Having a soft spot in my heart for all things All-Star because of Manchester's bang-up job on it last year, I clicked to see who'd been named. And y'all, I was literally caught whooping -- as in MY WHOLE DEPARTMENT HEARD ME -- because Tim Thomas was nominated. (I was caught cheering for Eric Healey already, when they announced the captains.) I so wish...

by Heather | 1:56 PM | 6
filed under: ahl news || ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

The holiday break starts... now.

Boston radio station WBCN 104.1 talked to Braddy Boyes this morning. Rather then be exactly on time for work, I totally hung out in the car a couple extra minutes so I could catch him talking. They discussed trades and player movements (all because of Johnny Damon. I am tired of hearing about Johnny Damon. It is winter. Winter is supposed to be a Red Sox Free Zone.), and simply put, I like that Braddy fella. Anyways. Providence beat Manchester 4-1 last night, and Lowell was beaten 5-2 by Toronto in Toronto. Tonight, Boston plays the Maple Leafs, and I...

by Heather | 4:40 PM | 3
filed under: ahl news || ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

A ton of information for your brain.

A'ight- the upcoming weekend. Tonight, BOSTON is at Minnesota- the game starts at 8pm- and is at Calgary on Saturday. That game starts at 10pm. I am taking bets now on whether I remember that and don't a) go looking for it on the tv at 7pm, or b) don't forget about it entirely. Odds favor the forgetting, because I mainly use televisions for background noise, and because I think I might end up in Lowell, watching my old hometown and my new hometown play some hockey. Likelihood of that is directly related to the warmth and comfort of my...

by Heather | 4:43 PM | 4
filed under: ahl news || ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

The words I have owed you for days.

The Hockey Journal is making the noise for Braddy Boyes and Kevin Dallman. I wonder how Brad feels about being called "Braddy." I wonder if I quite honestly would stop if he asked me to. Probably not, because "making the noise for Braddy Boyes" is just entirely too fun to say. He'd agree, I bet. The Herald's Steve Conroy is continuing to try to push me off the Dallman bandwagon so that he can drive. Back OFF, Steve. I drove that all the way from Providence. Which sounds easier then done, because have you tried to get from Providence to...

by Heather | 8:49 PM | 5
filed under: ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

A couple happy things.

For the record, I am currently ignoring this, because I am not ready for him to give up yet. I caught the end of the game in Carolina last night (saw us drop the one-goal lead and drop overtime.), and I have a ticket to tonight's game in Boston, but I was going to skip it because I am a) way tired, and b) have stuff to do at home. BUT! Come to find out, Andrew Raycroft's hurt, so they're starting HANNU, and recalling Jordan Sigalet from Providence. Do you know what that is, right there? That is a goaltending...

by Heather | 1:58 PM | 9
filed under: ahl- LOWELL || game related || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

A couple things.

Remember ex-Bruin Lee Goren? He was signed by Vancouver, and he's doing really well with them. There have been several articles on him since the summer. Martin Havlat might get suspended for kicking Hal Gill on Saturday. I think I might have seen this (the game on Saturday was giving me wicked motion sickness, so I listened to the tv broadcast). Milan Jurcina comes back to Providence. I'm trying really hard not to be angry that all anyone can talk about is Jon's accident from two years ago, because I think it's absolutely amazing that he's even alive, let alone...

by Heather | 1:50 PM | 3
filed under: ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

Carnival of the NHL, #8

A few weeks ago, I says to myself as I was perusing these innernets, "Self, it would be awfully fun to host a Carnival!" And then myself replied, "It would be!" Thusly, calls were made, project meetings were held, committees were formed and numbers crunched- could it be done? Ultimate answer: It could be. Cheers erupted from... my desk. People looked on in mild curiousity at the lone crazy girl, cheering. But the one thing the committees and project managers failed to note: my tiny attention span on this, the eve of the most holy of days: my first...

by Heather | 10:37 PM | 10
filed under: nhl news

Intrasquad game.

Tickets go onsale tomorrow at 10am through Ticketmaster. The game is Friday, Sept 16, at the Agganis Arena on the Boston University campus. TICKETS ARE ONLY TEN DOLLARS. TEN! DOLLARS! Reasons you should go to the Intrasquad game: 1. One ice surface, and two teams- completely comprised of JUST BRUINS. 2. Ten dollars admission! 3. Smaller arena makes for more intimate hockeying experience. 4. The Agganis is new, and will still have that new-arena smell. 5. It's been over a year since you've seen anyone in a spoked-B sweater; it's time to do something about that. 6. Joe Thornton, PJ...

by Heather | 9:19 AM | 8
filed under: ahl- MANCHESTER || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

You can tell all my best news links are at work and not on my home PC.

You know it's Monday when you have to read your own site to know what news you've posted. Suppose the easiest way to catch up on the news is to do this by team: BOSTON: We've re-signed Jiri Slegr, which makes me happy. And if you start a post and then wait long enough, your team signs more boys. Specifically, Boston has signed: Brad Boyes, Ben Guite, Nate Robinson, Eric Healey, Jason MacDonald, Kevin Dallman and Jonathan Sigalet. And yes, I did cheer and do an arms-in-a-V-for-victory when I read about Boyes, Guite, and Dallman. My coworkers believe me to...

by Heather | 1:14 PM | 4
filed under: ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

Transactions.

Good word. Y'all, I head out on vacation for six days, and the NHL gets crazy. So, a quick linkless summary: Bruins that were extended offers: PJ Axelsson, Brad Boyes, Nick Boynton, Kevin Dallman, Hal Gill, Jonathan Girard, Andy Hilbert, Ivan Huml, Zdenek Kutlak, Colton Orr, Andrew Raycroft, Sergei Samsonov, Martin Samuelsson, Joe Thornton, Sergei Zinovjev. Players that were signed: To four-year contracts: Glen Murray (right wing), Dave Scatchard (center). To three-year contracts: Mike Brown (goalie), Mark Stuart (defense), Nate Thompson (center). To two-year contracts: Shawn McEachern (right wing). To one-year contracts: Brian Leetch (defense), Andrew Alberts (defense). Trades: Brad...

by Heather | 1:51 PM | 7
filed under: ahl news || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

NHL Schedule.

The NHL just released the schedule. And y'all, let's talk excitement, because I am very excited. I have a home birthday game (against Carolina), AND we play the Senators, Capitals, and Kings on Boston ice. These were three teams I was hoping we'd play in Boston. The day just started to look up. I am going to go plot the games on my calendar, now. The planning must commence. You can find the preseason schedule here, and a link to a Boston .pdf here. Ok. We'll discuss camp when more details about that are released. Right now, let's talk preseason...

by Heather | 12:13 PM | 23
filed under: nhl news

Overtime.

I have been working a lot of overtime at work this week; I am tired and cranky and all kinds of pleasant to be around. However, I find this heartening: The NHL, meantime, is expected to release its schedule on Tuesday, with a tentative start-up date of Oct. 5. [ link ] That's convenient, because I have a LOT of planning to do between the NHL and the AHL. It might distract me from my wondering about qualifying offers that is, I'm sure, driving Jaci absolutely mad. Patience is not a virtue I possess much of, folks. Hurrah that the...

by Heather | 12:48 PM | 3
filed under: nhl news

A couple of links.

1. KDP has an article exploring the future of Boston under the new CBA free agency rules regarding Thornton/Samsonov, and how it might be smart to trade Joe. If Boston trades Joe, and Detroit's courtin' Glen Murray, who is going to check my film off the boards to let me know I'm loved? 2. Boston Herald beat writer Stephen Harris has an article discussing the new scheduling format's attempt to revive old rivalries and save on travel expenses. Boston has to play Nashville IN NASHVILLE this coming season. As I have decreed this, so it be law. A Boston game...

by Heather | 1:38 PM | 9
filed under: nhl news

Roundup of CBA articles and other goodies.

The ProJo has an article on Brendan Walsh and how he's enjoying himself thus far in his new duties with Northeastern. A couple of the Manchester boys just competed (and won the bronze medal) with Team USA in the 2005 International Ice Hockey Federation InLine Hockey World Championship- Jeff Guiliano, Troy Milam, and Doug Nolan. It was Jeff and Troy's first experience with the IIHF; it was Doug's third. The Boston Herald thinks that it's time the fans got a break - namely, in the form of lower ticket prices. InsideHockey has a feature about the CBA resolution up; it...

by Heather | 1:30 PM | 13
filed under: ahl- MANCHESTER || nhl news

Current list of NHL players- signed/restricted FA/unrestricted FA

A list of players by team who are signed (and their salaries- with and without the 24% rollback), who are restricted free agents, and who are unrestricted free agents. (For those of you who'd like to play along at home as things start happening.) To recap Boston's roster: SIGNED - current salary (salary with 24% rollback): Patrice Bergeron $825,000 ($627,000) Tom Fitzgerald $625,000 ($475,000) Ian Moran $600,000 ($456,000) **Not included in this are Milan Jurcina and Hannu Toivonen, also under contract with Boston. RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: P.J. Axelsson, Hal Gill, Andrew Raycroft, Jonathan Girard, Nick Boynton, Sergei Samsonov, Joe Thornton....

by Heather | 6:55 PM | 8
filed under: ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || nhl news || nhl- BOSTON

Around the 'net in 30 minutes.

Some things I haven't mentioned: Head Coach Tom Rowe has signed on for another stint with Lowell, Hartford's GM Jim Schoenfeld will be manning the Wolfpack bench with Ulf Samuelsson and former captain Ken Gernander. The AHL announced a partnership with B2 for online broadcasting of every single AHL game next season. If you have a high-speed connection, for just $6 per game, you can watch any AHL game your heart desires. Oh, how that set my heart all aflutter! Manchester announced their next Hockey 101 event - tentatively scheduled for Nov 9 - and ladies, you should go. It...

by Heather | 2:33 PM | 4
filed under: ahl news || ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || nhl news

It was nothing, really.

It's barely a little past 9am, and already, three different people have congratulated me on the end of the lockout, like I had some hand in it personally. Things are going to move quickly now, which is exciting, because the offseason? Boring. Drafts and free agent signings? Not so much with the boring....

by Heather | 9:05 AM | 9
filed under: nhl news

To CBA or not to CBA...

Around January, I officially gave up following the CBA negotiations with any kind of zeal. I was tired of the yo-yo of will-there, won't-there be a season. I had my love affair with the AHL on my mind, and there was very little that could distract me from it. Now, however, it's the offseason, and I am very bored and easily distractable. TSN and other major news sources are hinting that the deal is done, and perhaps some time today (though I heard there's still more paperworking to do), it will be announced that hurrah! there will be an NHL...

by Heather | 12:38 PM | 12
filed under: nhl news

News and such.

Hey, do any of you like Nick Boynton at all? Did you miss him this past season? Did you know that he was over in England playing hockey for the Nottingham Panthers? Well, whether you did or didn't, the NHLPA site has a brief feature on him. You should read it. He's a good kid. The firings of the Manchester coaching staff is controversial at best. The LA Kings part of the HF Boards has a multiple-page thread about it. The Union Leader's Kevin Provencher thinks that the wrong guy took the fall, and that it should be the GM,...

by Heather | 1:52 PM | 3
filed under: ahl news || ahl- MANCHESTER || nhl news

Before the weekend gets here...

This is the final weekend of regular season play in the AHL. Providence still needs two points to clinch a spot, and I believe Manchester is 2 (or is it four? I forget) points away from winning their first-ever division title. You know who I'll be cheering my heart out for tomorrow night at the Verizon, right? (Sorry, Lowell. I really am. I will cheer for you, too, a little. But... I really want Manchester to get that title.) The NHL and NHLPA have been talking. And shockingly, they're discussing some kind of hybrid of each side's previous proposals. Excuse...

by Heather | 11:01 PM | 6
filed under: nhl news

Mondays are usually the longest days.

A piece on Mike Knuble over on the NHLPA site. I miss him. Yesterday at the family dinner, my uncle asked me how I'm coping without Boston. Quite honestly, the only thing I miss about the NHL is having all my boys in Boston. It's easier to keep track of them that way. Having some in Canada and some in England and some spread out over Europe? That's what's killing me. LA Kings president Tim Leiweke says that there will be hockey next season- NHL hockey. And I am panicked at that thought, because Manchester is LA's affiliate. I have...

by Heather | 1:22 PM | 11
filed under: ahl- LOWELL || nhl news

So many links! So many things to mention!

Pantera guitarist Darrell Abbott slain. When I was younger, I loved Pantera. I loved them with the same enthusiasm for hockey that you see on these pages. One of the first things I ever associated hockey with WAS Pantera, because Darrell and his brother Vinnie were both HUGE Stars fans. So huge, in fact, the Stars issued a statement on Darrell's passing. Rest in peace, Darrell. Patrice Bergeron heads to the World Juniors. No worries, he's going to play the weekend games for Providence first. He leaves for camp after Sunday's game. He'll be playing against BU player Chris Bourque....

by Heather | 4:34 PM | 6
filed under: ahl news || ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || lockout-related || nhl news

Tuesday stuff.

Just to clear up some confusion I seem to have inadvertantly started-- the Tip a Bruin thing is where the pBs dress up as waitstaff and bring you drinks, sell you raffle tickets and such. The blurb makes no mention of exchanging favors for tips. I've never been to one (yet) so I'm not sure if there's a seedy underbelly of Tip A Bruin that I'm unaware of. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, you can look at photos of past Tip A Bruins. The Monarchs released Adam Borzecki from his professional tryout agreement, which probably means that Doug...

by Heather | 4:18 PM | 3
filed under: ahl news || ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news

News.

Projo article on the new goalie moves. Lowell's Krahn was named the top goalie for November. The Lowell Sun has the same press release. And the Union Leader has a profile on center Mike Cammalleri. I like the stats thing at the end, because I love random trivia. Globe article on Rene Rancourt. Oh, and the NHLPA cordially invited the NHL to a meeting next Thursday. The NHL has cordially accepted the invitation, even though Bettman was totally dissed. And the use of the phrase "cordially invited" is making me picture tea and crumpets and upraised pinky fingers. Hope they...

by Heather | 4:31 PM | 7
filed under: ahl- LOWELL || ahl- MANCHESTER || ahl- PROVIDENCE || lockout-related || nhl news

News and such.

P-Bruins' 1st win of season the result of consistency. It's because I wasn't there. That's all. It was out of spite. I'm on to you, pBruins. Don't think you can try to hide your devious plans. P-Bruins fail to slay Lock Monsters after comeback-- has an update on where some of the boys are for the lockout, but it's not really anything I didn't already know... . . . On the subject of former P-Bruins, many key members of last year's squad have been scattered across the hockey universe. Some are playing in Europe, including Matt Herr (Germany), Tim Thomas...

by Heather | 1:00 PM | 2
filed under: ahl news || ahl- PROVIDENCE || lockout-related || nhl news

pBruins roster; more links.

The pBruins have finalized their roster: Pat Aufiero, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Boyes, Carl Corazzini, Kevin Dallman, Chris Dyment, Jayme Filipowicz , David Gove, Ben Guite, Peter Hamerlik, Jay Henderson , Andy Hilbert, Milan Jurcina, Pat Leahy, Steve Munn, Colton Orr, Martin Samuelsson, Brent Thompson, Hannu Toivonen, Yorick Treille, Kris Vernarsky, Brendan Walsh See you in Lowell on Saturday night, boys. (Is it wrong that I'm considering a hat-trick weekend of games? They're all in different states, so that makes it acceptable, right? Because I was thinking of the Manchester/Worcester game at the Verizon tomorrow, the Providence/Lowell game at the Tsongas...

by Heather | 10:14 AM | 6
filed under: ahl- PROVIDENCE || lockout-related || nhl news

pBruins launch new site; (non) news of the NHL

The pBruins finally finished their new internet look! Yay! Yay for being able to read things and not having to wait 18 trillion years for the .pdfs to load! Woo-hooo! I'd had a plea earlier for someone to snag me a pBruins magnetic schedule, but in poking around on the new site, it turns out I can get it myself. As Heidi (yes, the same Heidi that "claims" to have seen Hilbert "smile") pointed out, I had my games and promotions all messed up. They're giving away the schedules on Sunday. All the promotions the pBruins are putting on for...

by Heather | 9:56 AM | 3
filed under: ahl- PROVIDENCE || lockout-related || nhl news

A link, a letter, and an idea.

The link: Mike Sullivan is profiled on NHL.com. The Letter: Dear Providence Bruins: Please, please, PLEASE fix your website. The .pdfs take forEVER to load- and that's on my nice, fat network pipe at work. At home? On dial-up? It takes so long it makes me cry. Please stop making me cry. See you Sunday. Love, Heather The idea: There are currently lots of unemployed hockey players who are keeping buff and such by lifting weights. Surely, this must get repetitive and boring. I know that I'm bored in general right now without hockey (at least until the AHL season...

by Heather | 9:26 AM | 4
filed under: ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news

Filler content.

Local-to-me AHL preseason's kind of a bummer- both the pBruins and Lowell lost yesterday; Manchester lost the night before. Manchester announced the start of a grant program for their area youth. Fliers exec unsure when hockey will return. Well, no kidding. "The players have drawn a line in the sand, they've said they're not going to accept a salary cap and I don't see how anything gets done when somebody says they're not going to accept something before they negotiate," Snider said. Well, pal, I believe it was the NHL who said that they weren't going to accept anything that...

by Heather | 11:49 AM |
filed under: nhl news

MO'C Chat.

I peeped in on the MO'C chat earlier, because I am nosy, but I missed most of it. In reading the transcript, I see this: Broon: What's the status of Jonathan Girard and what do you expect from him for the upcoming season? Also, why isn't Lars Jonsson playing in Providence? Mike O'Connell: Jonathan is playing in Quebec somewhere right now. I spoke to his agent about possibly playing in Providence, but Jonathan is still rehabbing from his car accident. Hopefully, when we start up, Jonathan will be able to play for us. We feel he has a bright future...

by Heather | 3:23 PM |
filed under: nhl news

News and stuff.

Bobby Orr on the Celebrity Hat Trick. Yeah, I know. This article was done BEFORE the Hat Trick. I'm late to the party, etc, etc. Speculation about Hockey Gladiators coming to Lowell. pBruins on whether or not they'd cross the picket line to play in the NHL. It's an interesting article, but the comparisions of this lockout to the unions for electricians and mill workers striking make me mad. To me, it's like comparing apples and oranges. Unions exist to protect their workers, and to see that working conditions are fair and safe, to see that workers are compensated fairly....

by Heather | 9:59 AM | 4
filed under: ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news

Morning News.

``It's a great opportunity for every player in the AHL to present themselves to NHL teams,'' he said. ``Whatever comes out of the lockout, a salary cap or reduced payrolls, teams are going to be looking for players that will be willing to play at a lower salary than what proven NHL players get. From a players' standpoint, if you're good, this could open up a door that wasn't there prior to the lockout.'' [ Spotlight shines on Baby B's, AHL ] --- pBruins individual tickets go on sale this Saturday (.pdf file). This would explain why I couldn't, you...

by Heather | 9:41 AM | 3
filed under: nhl news

AHL news

Guess I'll be going to more Lowell games then I originally thought-- Craig MacDonald's back with Lowell. The Lowell Sun today featured a spiffy picture of Eric Staal and a caption about how he's poised to be the best player in the AHL because of the lockout. [caption was part of this article, but the photo's not online. I'll scan it later.] Patrice Bergeron can top him, I'm sure. (This is a direct challenge, Patrice.) Yay for AHL hockey and the fact that it's practically in my backyard! --- Also, I'm currently working on assembling a huge spreadsheet of where...

by Heather | 8:32 PM |
filed under: nhl news

From the mailbag and other things.

There were a bunch of mentions that Andy Hilbert and Patrice Bergeron's agents were trying to get them deals to allow them to play in the AHL during the lockout. There's a mention from the Boston Herald here, and there's a mention in the Providence Journal here that I linked to before and that Renee pointed out in the comments below. I was waiting for the official word of "yay" or "nay." I found the official AHL press release this morning. Before I found that, though, Donna wrote me to tell me the proof I so desperately searched for last...

by Heather | 9:26 AM | 4
filed under: ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news

Fact or fiction? You decide.

Alert reader Pamela, a proud RI resident who watches her local news, e-mailed me to let me know that the Smileless Wonder (Andy Hilbert) and Patrice Bergeron have signed with Providence. I can't find any links verifying that, though, and I think it's because the newspeople are having the audacity to rest! As IF! Anyways, stay tuned for a link providing confirmation later on. It's rumored that Boynton's playing in the OSHL with Raycroft and Moran, but again, that's unconfirmed. Now, how about some rumors as to where Girard is playing? I miss watching him fly from one end of...

by Heather | 10:16 PM | 4
filed under: ahl- PROVIDENCE || nhl news

Checking in on the (non)news of the weekend.

First off, the pBruins released their training camp schedule, and it drives me BATTY that I cannot view .pdf files on my computer at home. Dear pBruins: Please hurry with the site redesign, as I cannot read any of your news! I like being informed! Love always, Heather. If