(Photo Courtesy of the Idaho Steelheads)
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Oct 12, 2004/vol. 58, issue 7
Focus on ECHL in lockout year
Strong, balanced Titans get nod over Steelheads in quest for Kelly Cup
BY MIKE MASTOVICH
The ECHL may be a feeder system for the American League and, ultimately, the NHL, but for this season at least, the system will work in reverse.
With the NHL locked out, many players are heading to the ’A’, bumping other good prospects down to the ECHL.
Though ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna says he hopes the NHL and union work things out soon, he admits the lockout will have a short-term benefit for his league.
“It means fewer recalls of our players because of injuries at the NHL level,” he said. “That means more continuity on qur rosters.”
Here’s our projected overall finish for 2004-05:
1. TRENTON TITANS Trenton returns a solid nucleus and added free agent veteran right winger Rick Kowalsky. Left wingers Matt Zultek and Scott Bertoli and center Chris Pittman led the scoring last year on a team that just missed earning a wild card playoff spot; all three are back. Also back are goalie Andrew Allen and veteran captain Vince Williams, who anchors the defense. Top newcomers are speedy center Steve Cygan and blueliner Evan Nielsen.
2. IDAHO STEELHEADS The Kelly Cup champions have the tools to defend their title. They signed eight players from last year’s team and added an NHL affiliation with Phoenix and an AHL link with Utah. The returnees include blueliner lererny Mylymok and forward Scott Burt, both fifth-year Steelheads. Also back are forwards David Cornacchia and Brett Draney and blueliners Darrell Hay and Dan Vandermeer.
3. FLORIDA EVERBLADES Florida, which fell to Idaho in the Kelly Cup final, will receive solid help from Carolina and also from Lowell of the AHL, as 12 players with two-way contracts are set to attend camp. Goalie Rob Zepp began the season in Lowell’s camp, but chances are he’ll be back to bolster the Blades. Other key returnees are forward Brent McDonald, who averaged a point a game last year, and blueliners Matt Pagnutti, Ryan Brindley and Ed Hill.
4. READING ROYALS Coach Derek Clancey will count on high-scoring returnee David Masse to ignite the offense. The Royals will have plenty of experience and a considerable talent pool from Los Angeles and Manchester (AHL). Leading scorer Greg Mischler and right winger Judd Medak are also back. The team has three of its top five scorers from last season.
5. SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS Already tough team got even stronger.
6. GWINNETT GLADIATORS Veteran sniper Cam Brown returns for 13th year.
7. LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS Tough to beat in Sin City.
8. SAN DIEGO GULLS Bent on erasing playoff disappointment.
9. COLUMBIA INFERNO A lot of firepower.
10. PEORIA RIVERMEN Always found near the top of the division.
11. ALASKA ACES Continue slow turnaround of fortunes.
12. WHEELING NAILERS Ended five-year playoff drought last year.
13. JOHNSTOWN CHIEFS Thirteen players return.
14. GREENVILLE GRRROWLVast improvement expected.
15. ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK BULLIES Will win with defense-first philosophy.
16. MISSISSIPPI SEA WOLVES ECHL vet Louis Dumont fronts team.
17. PENSACOLA ICE PILOTS New era begins under coach Dave Farrish.
18. CHARLOTTE CHECKERS Eduard Pershin returns after scoring 139 points in two years.
19. AUGUSTA LYNX Goaltender Jason Saal had a team-record five shutouts last year.
20. PEE DEE PRIDE Builds from within, without NHL affiliation.
21. LONG BEACH ICE DOGS New ties with Montreal Canadiens will boost lineup.
22. LOUISIANA ICEGATORS In transition after coach Dave Farrish’s departure.
23. TOLEDO STORM Speedy Nick Parillo fronts offense.
24. VICTORIA SALMON KINGS Expansion team’s motto this season: “Nobody’s Lunch.”
25. DAYTON BOMBERS Co-owner Don MacAdam also jumps into coaching duties.
26. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS Add leadership in Kevin St. Jacques and his career 849 points.
27. TEXAS WILDCATTERS Franchise hopes for strong second-year campaign.
28. FRESNO FALCONS Opponents outscored Falcons 275-187 last season. I
YOUNG ECHL
Here are the top 23-and-tinders who have been drafted by NHL teams.
FIRST TEAM
G Simon Lajeunesse, 23. Fresno
Ottawa, 48th overall, 1999
D Jared Newman, 22, Florida
Carolina, 110th overall, 2000
D Tim Branham, 23, Texas
Vancouver, 93rd overall, 2000
F Mathieu Brunelle, 21, Trenton
Philadelphia, 201st overall, 2002
F Nicolas Corbeil, 21, Mississippi
Toronto, 88th overall, 2001
F Carl Mallette, 23, Greenville
Atlanta. 107th overall, 2000
SECOND TEAM
G Nick Boucher, 23, Pee Dee
Pittsburgh, 280th overall, 2000
D Joe Martin, 23, Greenville
Chicago, 193rd overall, 2000
D Craig Olynick, 22, Toledo
Detroit, 166th overall, 2002
F Dusty Jamieson, 23, Charlotte
Montreal, 136th overall, 1999
F Derek Krestanovich, 21, Fresno
Washington, 92nd overall, 2002
F Russell Spence, 22, Greenville
Phoenix, 280th overall, 2002
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