Shootout

Otters Report vs. London - Saturday

2008-10-05T03:05:18Z

* Keeping confident: Otters rookie Greg McKegg, 16, is a bit frustrated over failing to record a point in the opening six games of his OHL career, he said before Saturday night’s game against London at Tullio Arena. “(I’m) not producing the way I usually do,” said McKegg, the No. 2 pick in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection in May. “But (the league is) way faster. I’m still adjusting. Hopefully (my first point) comes tonight. But if not, I’ll just keep working.” * Shields sits out: Otters defenseman David Shields missed Saturday’s game for a reason he declined to divulge. Shields, who left Friday’s home loss to Plymouth late in the first period and didn’t return, was uncertain when he would return to the ice. * Injury bug: Shawn Waskiewicz, the club’s assistant general manager – administration, tore ligaments in his hand after falling in the arena during Friday’s game. He will undergo surgery at a later date. * Aliu, McRae out: Right wing Akim Aliu and center Philip McRae didn’t play for the Knights. Aliu, a Chicago prospect, remains with the NHL club while nursing a groin injury. McRae, St. Louis’ second-round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in June, was given the night off to avoid any setbacks associated with a recent case of mononucleosis. He scored a goal in his season debut on Friday. Center Dominic DeSando, 17, will miss four to six months because of shoulder surgery. * Scratch list: The Otters scratched defensemen Mitch Gaulton (left elbow) and Shields, centers Phil Teri and Mike Cazzola (unspecified reason) and left wings Michael Liambas, Matthew Paton (appendectomy) and Kelly Geoffrey (shoulder). … London scratched defensemen Scott Valentine, Matt Ashman and Barron Smith and DeSando, Aliu and McRae. * Around the rink: London assistant coach Pat Curcio coached the Toronto Red Wings’ minor midget club that Gaulton played on in the 2005-06 season, his OHL draft year. … Former Otters winger Geoff Platt’s contract with Minsk Dynamo of the Kontinental Hockey League expires on Friday, he said by e-mail. But the club is attempting to buy out his contract with Ilves Tampere of the Finnish Elite League. – Victor Fernandes

Otters Watch vs. London - Saturday

2008-10-04T14:01:03Z

What: Erie Otters (2-3-0-0) vs. London Knights (3-3-0-0) When: Today, 7 p.m. Where: Tullio Arena On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream) On TV: Image Sports Network – Time Warner (city – Channel 20, county – Channel 13) Players to watch: Erie – RW Nick Palmieri (1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point, 1 power-play goal in 1 game), RW Shawn Szydlowski (2-5-7), LW Ryan O’Reilly (1-3-4), C/RW Justin Hodgman (3-0-3, 1 short-handed goal), RW Anthony Luciani (3-2-5); London – C Nazem Kadri (3-4-7, 2 PPG), RW Daniel Erlich (2-4-6), C Justin Taylor (2-2-4 in 3 games), D Matt Clarke (1-3-4, +3 rating), C Jared Knight (3-0-3, 2 PPG) Fast facts: Erie – The Otters have split the opening two games of a three-game home stand. … They have scored 15 goals and allowed 15 this season. … They are averaging 37.8 shots per game and allowing 38.6 per game. … LW Luke Gazdic had a goal and assist vs. Plymouth on Friday, his first points of the season. … Luciani has points in three of five games this season. … Rookie C Mike Cazzola (undisclosed reason) won’t play tonight. London – RW Akim Aliu (28-33-61 last season), a Chicago prospect, remains at NHL camp. … Overage D Kevin Montgomery, a Colorado prospect, was assigned to Lake Erie, the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate in Cleveland, according to the Knights’ Web site. … The Knights shut out the Otters 4-0 on Sept. 19 in London. … Kadri joins O’Reilly as top prospects in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft … The Knights are in the top 10 on the power play (21.6 percent) and penalty kill (84.8). Up next: at Peterborough (Thursday, 7 p.m.), at Oshawa (Friday, 7:35 p.m.)

Otters Report vs. Plymouth - Friday

2008-10-04T03:28:37Z

* European flavor: Former Otters center Geoff Platt (2003-05) has begun the season with Minsk Dynamo in the Kontinental Hockey League, which reportedly has replaced the Russian Super League. The language barrier remains his biggest obstacle, Platt, 23, said by e-mail earlier this week. “Belarus speaks predominantly Russian and very minute amounts of English,” he said. “Interacting with people in everyday life and teammates can be very challenging. But with anything in life, you learn to adapt.” Platt, who will join Ilves Tampere of the Finnish Elite League later this season, finished the 2007-08 season with Portland, Anaheim’s AHL affiliate. He had 28 goals and 58 points in 60 games. Coupled with stints in Syracuse, Columbus’ AHL club, and Anaheim, he had 32 goals and 65 points in 80 games. But Platt chose to play in Europe “to continue developing at the game of hockey,” he said. “I felt that after three successful seasons split between the AHL and NHL and never fully becoming an everyday NHL player, I needed to pursue another angle of attack directed towards my ultimate goal of the NHL.” Platt once was concerned about returning to North America. But, he said, “After careful consideration and now a month of KHL experience, the rush to return has subsided,” he said. “If I can be successful playing hockey here or anywhere in Europe, the so-called calling card for North America will come naturally.” * Much-needed turnaround: Plymouth winger Patrick Lee, 20, has savored his time in the OHL since being waived by the Otters early last season. A year after being unable to earn a spot in Erie’s starting lineup, “I’m being used in a lot of situations,” Lee said before Friday’s game at Tullio Arena. “It’s a lot different than I played in Erie.” Lee has 16 goals and 30 points in 65 games with the Whalers, compared to 10 goals and 30 points in 119 games with the Otters from 2005-07. * Scratch list: The Otters scratched defenseman Mitch Gaulton (left elbow), centers Phil Teri, Mike Cazzola and Edgar Rybakov and wingers Michael Liambas (hip flexor), Kelly Geoffrey (shoulder) and Matthew Paton (appendectomy). … Plymouth scratched goaltender Scott Wedgewood, defenseman Leo Jenner (five-game OHL suspension), Christian Steingraber (four-game OHL suspension) and Anthony Donati and forwards Peter Neal, A.J. Jenks (strained knee) and Cory McGillis (concussion). * Around the rink: Jenks could miss another two weeks, a Whalers’ official said. … The Otters held a moment of silence for Thomas Tewes, co-owner of the Whalers, NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and ECHL’s Florida Everblades, who lost his two-year battle with leukemia on Sunday at age 76. … Neal’s older brother, James, is battling for a spot on Dallas’ roster. – Victor Fernandes

Otters Watch vs. Plymouth - Friday

2008-10-03T15:01:18Z

What: Erie Otters (2-2-0-0) vs. Plymouth Whalers (1-3-0-0) When: Today, 7 p.m. Where: Tullio Arena On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream) Players to watch: Erie – RW Nick Palmieri (season debut), LW Ryan O’Reilly (1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points), C/RW Justin Hodgman (2-0-2, 1 short-handed goal), RW Shawn Szydlowski (2-3-5), G Jaroslav Janus (2-2-0-0 record, 2.73 goals-against average, .933 save percentage, 1 shutout); Plymouth – G Jeremy Smith (0-1-0-0, 5.00, .884), D Michal Jordan (2-2-4 in 2 games), C Chris Terry (1-0-1 in 2 games), LW R.J. Mahalak (3-0-3), C Tyler Seguin (0-4-4) Fast facts: Erie – Palmieri, who requested a trade to an OHL contender in May, joins the lineup after spending nearly a month at New Jersey’s training camp. … Janus posted the club’s first SO win since Feb. 5, 2005, in a 4-0 home-opening win vs. Kitchener on Saturday. … The Otters have scored 10 goals in two wins and one goal in two losses. … The defense, playing without Ds Josh Kidd (Manchester – AHL) and Mitch Gaulton (season-ending elbow surgery) has allowed 2.5 goals per game. … Szydlowski has points in three straight games. … The Otters are last in the league on the power play (4.3 percent) and first on the penalty kill (95.5). … Rookie LW Greg McKegg, the No. 2 pick in the 2008 OHL draft, hasn’t recorded a point in four games. … Rookie C Mike Cazzola won’t play this weekend. He declined to offer a reason for his absence, but said it isn’t related to the case of mononucleosis that cost him a month of training time this past summer. Plymouth – The Whalers played without Terry (Carolina camp), Jordan (Carolina), Smith (Nashville), LW A.J. Jenks (Florida) and D Brett Bellemore (Carolina) in a 6-1 home loss to the Otters on Sept. 20. … Bellemore, who has signed with the Hurricanes, is at AHL camp in Albany, N.Y. … Jenks (strained knee) and Ds Christian Steingraber (four-game league suspension) and Leo Jenner (five-game league suspension) won’t play, a club official said. … Smith allowed five goals on 43 shots in his season debut, a 5-3 loss to Guelph on Saturday. … RW Patrick Lee scored two goals in his last game against his former team at Tullio (3-2 win on March 3). … The club acquired LW Cory McGillis from Barrie on Tuesday. But he isn’t expected to play because of an apparent concussion, a club official said. … The Whalers began Thursday tied for 18th on the power play (9.1 percent) and 17th on the penalty kill (73.3). Up next: vs. London (Saturday, 7 p.m.), at Peterborough (Thursday, 7 p.m.)

Islanders sign Spitfires' Bailey

2008-10-02T21:01:15Z

The New York Islanders signed Windsor center Josh Bailey to a three-year, entry-level NHL contract today, the NHL club announced on its Web site. Bailey, who officially secured the deal on his 19th birthday, was chosen ninth overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in June. He had 28 goals and 96 points with the Spitfires last season. Bailey holds the record for most goals in a game against the Otters - five on Oct. 28, 2006, while with Owen Sound.

Otters Report - Oct. 2

2008-10-02T20:56:30Z

* By the numbers: Right wing Nick Palmieri wore No. 19 last season. But now, right wing Shawn Szydlowski wears that number. If asked, Szydlowski is willing to give the number back, although it honors his favorite player, former Detroit great Steve Yzerman. The number also has special meaning to Palmieri. “It was the number I wore growing up,” he said. But he’s fine with wearing No. 33. “A number is just a number,” Palmieri said. “It doesn’t really affect your play. The mental aspect of having your own number is maybe there for some guys. But for me, it’s never really been an issue.” Besides, Palmieri said of Szydlowski, “He’s doing well wearing it.” Szydlowski isn’t certain what other number he would wear if Palmieri asked for No. 19 back. Left wing Sean Jones wears No. 19, the number Szydlowski wore as a rookie last season. * Speaking of Palmieri: He has been teamed with center Ryan O’Reilly and left wing Brandon Biggers in practice this week. “We’re starting to get used to each other out on the ice,” Palmieri said. “So we’ll see what happens when we get into a game situation. Palmieri developed chemistry with center Zack Torquato last season. When asked if he would be on a line with Torquato this season, Palmieri said, “We’ll see what happens. Lines change.” * Speaking of lines: Earlier this week, coach Robbie Ftorek said he hasn’t line combinations develop much chemistry, with the exception of Szydlowski and O’Reilly. Szydlowski credits playing together the final two or three months last season and training together in the offseason for strong teamwork. “I always love playing with him,” Szydlowski said of O’Reilly, “because he’s so creative and he’s such a good player. You just get open on the ice and he’ll get the puck to you no matter where you are” O’Reilly praised Szydlowski, too. “He’s an easy guy to play with,” O’Reilly said. “He’s so smart and he’s got such good puck control. I’ve just got to get the puck somewhere near him and he’ll pick it up and do something with it.” – Victor Fernandes

Oshawa hosting CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

2008-10-02T15:25:52Z

The Oshawa Generals will host the 14th annual CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 14, 2009, at General Motors Centre, CHL and NHL officials announced today. "We welcome the challenge. We're embracing the event," Generals owner Rocco Tullio said during a conference call. The 40 players participating in the game will be announced at a later date. The NHL's 30 clubs will submit their list of the top 24 forwards, 12 defensemen and four goaltenders. Nineteen players that participated in the 2008 game at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, were chosen in the first round of this past summer's NHL Entry Draft.

Otters' season-ticket party, fan club meeting set

2008-10-02T15:09:42Z

The Erie Otters will hold its annual season-ticket holder party on Sunday from noon-2 p.m. at Tullio Arena. It includes skating with the players from noon-1 p.m. and an autograph session in the concourse from 1-2 p.m. Skate rentals aren’t available. Sticks and pucks aren’t permitted. Registration, which features light snacks and beverages, begins at 11:30 a.m. in the lower lobby. Meanwhile, the next Otters Fan Club meeting is set for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Erie (707 Sassafras Street). Enter through the side door at the building’s south side. Forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Edgar Rybakov will be the featured speakers.

Video from the Erie Otters home opener

2008-09-30T16:25:50Z

Erie Otters' center Zack Torquato prepares for the team's home opener against the Kitchener Rangers at the Tullio Arena on Sept. 27. Video by JACK HANRAHAN/Erie Times-News

Sabres assign former Otter Vatri to Portland

2008-09-30T16:11:09Z

The Buffalo Sabres have assigned former Erie Otters winger Josh Vatri (2005-07) to Portland (AHL) for training camp on a tryout basis, the NHL club announced today. In other Otters' alumni news, goaltender Stephen Valiquette (1997-98), now with the New York Rangers, is starting in net for the NHL club's preseason game today against SC Bern in Bern, Switzerland. In other local hockey news, Erie native Kyle Rogers, a Cathedral Prep alumnus, has joined the Toronto Maple Leafs for the club's trip to St. Louis for Wednesday's preseason game against the Blues, Rogers' mother, Sue, said in an e-mail. Rogers, who played in Monday's preseason game against the Blues in Toronto, was expected to head to St. John's, Newfoundland, today for training camp with the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

UPDATE: Kidd expected to sign, won’t return to Otters

2008-09-30T15:38:39Z

Josh Kidd’s OHL career appears to be over. The Erie Otters’ veteran defenseman likely will sign a contract with Los Angeles and spend the season with Manchester, the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, Mark Guy, Kidd’s agent, said today. “The expectation is that he will not be back at juniors,” said Guy, of Newport Sports Management in Mississauga, Ontario. “After what he did last year when he went up (to the Monarchs) at the end of the season, (Kings’ officials) want him up in Manchester this year.” Kidd, 19, had a goal, four points and a plus-9 rating in nine regular-season games with the Monarchs last spring before suffering a concussion that kept him out of the Calder Cup playoffs. The Kings assigned him to Manchester on Monday. The Monarchs’ training camp begins with physicals on Thursday and opening workouts on Friday at Tri-Town Ice Arena in Hookset, N.H. Guy expects contract talks with the Kings to begin during camp. Kidd needs to sign a contract before the AHL season begins Oct. 8. The Monarchs open the season on Oct. 11 in Portland. The Kings are “trying to manage contracts,” said Guy, referring to how many players the club will have under contract. “Every indication is that he will be in Manchester,” said Guy, who also represents current Otters’ Kelly Geoffrey, Luke Gazdic (Dallas prospect), Mitch Gaulton (N.Y. Rangers prospect) and Ryan O’Reilly. His agency also represents Jaroslav Janus. Kidd didn’t immediately return a telephone message on Tuesday. – Victor Fernandes

UPDATE: Kings send Kidd to Manchester

2008-09-30T14:19:42Z

Los Angeles has assigned Erie Otters defenseman Josh Kidd, 19, to Manchester, the NHL club's AHL affiliate, the Kings announced Monday. But there's no word yet on whether the Kings will sign Kidd. He was one of 13 prospects sent to the Monarchs, a list that included Kitchener center Justin Azevedo, 20, the OHL's scoring champion last season. Manchester's training camp begins with physicals on Thursday and the opening workouts on Friday at Tri-Town Ice Arena in Hookset, N.H.

Palmieri practices with team, ready to play

2008-09-29T21:25:55Z

Nick Palmieri practiced with the Erie Otters on Monday, his first time on the Tullio Arena ice with the team this season. As more time passed this preseason, Palmieri said he expected to return. "It was predetermined," Palmieri said. "If nothing had happened after camp (regarding a trade), I would be back. I'm happy to be back and I look forward to start playing." Before training camp began in August, Palmieri, 19, a fourth-year veteran, requested a trade to a contender for what should be his final OHL season. Palmieri, who signed a three-year, NHL entry-level contract with New Jersey last October, is expected to begin his professional career next season with Lowell, the Devils' AHL affiliate. Two weeks ago, Bassin said he had conducted serious trade talks with clubs. But a deal hasn't been completed. "If I get traded, I get traded," Palmieri said. "If not, I'm here to play. It's not really my decision whether or not I get traded. ... I'm here and I'm looking forward to playing." On Saturday, Bassin said he expected Palmieri to play in Friday's game against Plymouth at Tullio Arena. But on Monday, coach Robbie Ftorek said, "I don't foresee anything. I just want to get through practice today, see what we have, see how things are going, see how people are playing. Then we'll make that decision." But with 25 players on the roster, moves could be made. "I never plan on carrying 25 guys," Ftorek said. "You can only play 20. And if you're not playing, then you're not getting better." – Victor Fernandes

Blackhawks send Otters' alumnus Blunden to AHL

2008-09-29T20:41:38Z

Chicago has assigned former Erie Otters winger Michael Blunden, 21 to Rockford (AHL) on Monday, the Blackhawks announced on their Web site. He had 16 goals, 37 points and 83 penalty minutes in 74 games with the IceHogs last season, his second professional season. He has no points and 10 penalty minutes in 10 career games with the NHL's Blackhawks. He had 100 goals, 181 points and 246 penalty minutes in 236 games for the Otters from 2002-06.

Erie’s Rogers to make NHL debut (Monday)

2008-09-29T18:20:27Z

Kyle Rogers, an Erie native and Cathedral Prep alumnus, will make his NHL debut tonight for Toronto in a 7:30 p.m. preseason game against visiting St. Louis at Air Canada Centre, he said today. “It’s an awesome feeling to put on that (Maple Leafs’) sweater,” said Rogers, 23, who signed a two-year NHL/AHL contract last spring after ending his career at Niagara University. “It was a dream to get to the NHL. Now all of sudden, I’m playing in my first NHL game. Anybody that plays their first professional game is nervous. But you have to put it behind you. After I get my first bump, I’ll be all right.” Rogers, 23, then heads to St. John’s, Newfoundland, on Tuesday for training camp with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. “(Maple Leafs’ officials) said for me to gain more experience. So when I do get the call-up, it’s not something new. Hopefully if not this year, then next year, I’ll be playing with the Leafs.” – Victor Fernandes