Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager John Ferguson announced Thursday that the hockey club has signed Player Development Coach Paul Dennis, Goaltending Coach Steve McKichan, and Video Analyst Chris Dennis to contract extensions through the 2008 season.
Currently in his 17th season with the Maple Leafs, Paul Dennis assists the hockey club?s athletes at all levels of the organization with their personal and professional development. The Leafs? highly-regarded annual Prospect Camp is run under Dennis? direction.
McKichan is in his third season with the Maple Leafs. The native of Strathroy, Ontario works closely on and off the ice with the goaltenders at all levels of the organization. In addition, he scouts goaltenders that are draft-eligible and those playing in the National Hockey League and American Hockey League.
March 2006 - Hockey Wiretap
Minnesota Recalls Shawn Belle
Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough announced today that the club has recalled D Shawn Belle from the American Hockey League's (AHL) Houston Aeros, the Wild's primary development affiliate.
Belle was in the midst of his second season with the Aeros and has notched nine points (1-8=9) in 21 games with Houston this season, where he ranks third among team defensemen in points and is tied for second in assists
NHL To Unveil New-Look Uniforms At All-Star Game
The NHL will break with tradition next season by ushering in a new, streamlined uniform that blends fashion with functionality, commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday.
Bettman said the new-look uniforms, designed over the past two years, will be unveiled at the All-Star Game in January.
Kings Place Tverdovsky On IR
After more than two weeks without Oleg Tverdovsky, the Kings finally made it official.
The Kings placed Tverdovsky on injured reserve Wednesday, 16 days after the defenseman injured his groin in a 4-2 victory over the Sharks.
Coyotes Suspend Lisin For Failing To Go To San Antonio
Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Michael Barnett announced on Wednesday that the Coyotes have suspended right wing Enver Lisin. Lisin was assigned to the San Antonio Rampage (AHL) on November 27 but failed to report. Instead, Lisin returned to Russia where he is expected to play for Ak Bars Kazan in the Russian League.
?We are very disappointed in Enver?s decision to not report to the San Antonio Rampage,? said Barnett. ?We fully expected him to honor his contract, thus we have no choice but to suspend him as a result of his actions.?
Flyers Sign Knuble To Extension
The Philadelphia Flyers rewarded forward Mike Knuble with a two-year, $5.6 million contract extension on Wednesday.
"We are extremely excited," said General Manager Paul Holmgren. "We are happy with Mike's play since he joined us. We think that he's got more to give to us in the future. He is not only a good player, he's a good person and a guy that we want in our organization moving forward."
Knuble was happy about staying with the club, "my wife and I love the area. The people that we deal with in the organization have been great. I love my teammates and I've had a blast playing here."
Flames Will Retire Vernon's Number
The Calgary Flames will honour one of the greatest players in team history by retiring goaltender Mike Vernon?s number 30.
Vernon spent 13 seasons of his 20 year NHL career in Calgary, highlighted by winning the Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1989.
The Flames will pay tribute to Mike Vernon by raising his number 30 jersey to the rafters of the Pengrowth Saddledome in a pre-game ceremony when the Flames host the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, February 6, 2007.
?Mike Vernon?s name is synonymous with the success of the Calgary Flames franchise in the late 80?s and early 90?s, and we are pleased to recognize Mike?s outstanding NHL career and his contribution to the Flames organization by retiring his number 30 Flames jersey,? stated Calgary Flames President, Ken King.
Carolina And Columbus Pull Off Trade
The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired defenseman Derrick Walser from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Mark Flood, club President and General Manager Doug MacLean announced today. Walser has been assigned to the Syracuse Crunch, the club's American Hockey League affiliate.
Walser, 28, has tallied six goals and 21 assists for 27 points with 56 penalty minutes in 82 career NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has registered 64-125-189 with 256 penalty minutes in 285 career AHL games with Saint John, Syracuse and Albany. He netted one assist and four penalty minutes in six games with Albany this season.
Gaborik Is Back Skating At Practice
Marian Gaborik is back at practice, but the Wild are maintaining a cautious approach toward his return to the lineup.
Gaborik, who strained a groin muscle in a game Oct. 20 and has not played since, skated with the team Monday for the first time since the injury and did so again in a short practice on Tuesday.
Report: Thrashers' Sutton Out With Ankle Injury
The Thrashers apparently will have to rebound from their recent funk without Andy Sutton.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday on its web site that Sutton has a cracked bone in his ankle and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Coyotes' Boynton Out 3-4 Weeks With Fractured Foot
Coyotes' GM Michael Barnett announced that Nick Boynton will be out of the lineup 3-4 weeks with a fractured foot.
Sources: Leafs Trade Tellqvist To Coyotes For Nash
The Maple Leafs send Mikael Tellqvist to the Coyotes for Tyson Nash and a fourth-round draft pick, according to sources within both clubs.
Penquins' Crosby May Return Tuesday Night Against Islanders
Sidney Crosby played an entire practice, but the 19-year-old Penguins center remained questionable for Tuesday night's game against the Islanders.
Isles' Yashin Out 2-4 Weeks With Sprained Knee
The Islanders have lost their leading scorer and captain, Alexei Yashin, for up to four-weeks with a sprained knee.
Chicago Fires Yawney, Hires Savard
The Chicago Blackhawks named Denis Savard the 36th Head Coach in the team?s history and relieved Trent Yawney of his duties.
Sabres End Rangers Win Streak; Jagr's 3-Game Goal Streak Snapped
The Sabres got back to winning on the road Sunday night with a 3-2 victory over the Rangers.
Avalanche Interested In Bringing Back Forsberg?
Peter Forsberg has insisted publicly he doesn't want to be traded, but it's believed he wouldn't complain if the club decided to deal him.
Rangers Look To Extend Season-Best Winning Streak
New York has not won four contests in a row sice a seven-game win streak last season.
Federov Gives Hitchcock His First Win
Sergei Fedorov had two goals and two assists to lead the Blue Jackets past the Minnesota Wild 5-3 Saturday night, ending an eight-game losing skid and handing Hitchcock his first win as coach