http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/otters/ en Copyright 2008 Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:18:03 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss What: Erie Otters (2-5-1-0) at Barrie Colts (4-1-1-0) When: Today, 7:30 p.m. Where: Barrie Molson Centre - Barrie, Ontario On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream) ]]> http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_watch_saturdays_game.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_watch_saturdays_game.html Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:18:03 -0500 New Erie Otters defenseman Chris Breen, 19, arrived at Tullio Arena late Wednesday afternoon - 8 1/2 hours after he left Saginaw, Mich. Breen, acquired from the Spirit on Tuesday in the Jordan Skellett trade, became lost on Interstate 75 in Detroit while driving to Erie. A ramp on the highway was closed, he said. "I couldn't figure out the detours," he said. "The drive down here was kind of a battle." Breen arrived late for Wednesday's practice, but he will make his Otters' debut on Thursday in Peterborough. "I was hoping to skate today," Breen said, since the Spirit didn't practice Sunday and Monday and the trade occurred Tuesday. "It's always kind of a surprise when you get dealt," he said. "But it wasn't too shocking." Breen was the odd man out in the Spirit's youth movement on defense, led by 18-year-olds Nick Crawford, Adam Comrie, T.J. Brodie and Joe Underwood and 17-year-olds Brad Walch, Cody Sol and Nick Trecapelli. Breen is excited about being a defensive leader with the Otters. "Defense is my game and what I do best," he said. His defense mates are excited to have the 6-foot-7, 224-pound Breen in the lineup. Robyn Sertic, 18, said Plymouth and London consistently sent three players to the Otters' net last weekend in hopes of scoring goals against Erie's under-sized, less physical defense. Before Breen's arrival, only David Shields, 17, stood taller than 6 feet and the average weight was 190 pounds. Breen's size and physical presence will help clear the way for goaltenders Jaroslav Janus and Shane Owen. "He will allow us to our jobs," Sertic said. – Victor Fernandes http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/newest_otter_breen_arrives_in.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/newest_otter_breen_arrives_in.html Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:38:50 -0500 The Erie Otters have reassigned rookie center Phil Teri, 17, to Elmira Jr. B in the Mid-Western Junior Hockey League on Wednesday. Teri, a native of Fergus, Ontario, made the Otters' roster as a free agent in the preseason. He dressed for the first two regular-season games. But he fell down the depth chart after veteran forwards Justin Hodgman, 20, Luke Gazdic, 19, Nick Palmieri, 19, and Zack Torquato, 19, returned from NHL camps. This week, left wing Kelly Geoffrey, 18, was medically cleared to rejoin the lineup. He will play Thursday in Peterborough. In other news, the Otters will visit the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario, on Friday morning to donate rookie winger Anthony Luciani's stick from the Otters' win in Plymouth on Sept. 20. Luciani scored two penalty-shot goals against the Whalers. He's believed to be the first player to accomplish that feat in the same game. The club also will donate a DVD, ticket and program from that game. Meanwhile, former defenseman Josh Kidd, 19, who signed a one-year AHL contract with Manchester this week, could be eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Given the one-year deal, the Los Angeles Kings, who hold his rights, still need to sign him to a NHL contract by June 1 or he would re-enter the draft, said Mark Guy, Kidd's agent from Newport Sports Management in Mississauga, Ontario. – Victor Fernandes http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/update_otters_reassign_rookie.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/update_otters_reassign_rookie.html Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:53:31 -0500 Jordan Skellett, who wanted out of Erie, was traded to Saginaw on Tuesday. But when asked about Nick Palmieri, who requested a trade to an OHL contender in May, Otters managing partner/general manager Sherry Bassin didn't lean in any direction. "As long as he's here, he's here to stay," Bassin said. A few weeks after confirming trade talks regarding Palmieri had intensified, Bassin didn't confirm if clubs continue inquiring about him. "To say they're inquiring about him is an unfair comment," Bassin said. "They inquire about everybody. One of the natures of the business is that you're on the phone a lot talking to people. They want to know whoever's available." – Victor Fernandes http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_bassin_staying_mum_over.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_bassin_staying_mum_over.html Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:32:06 -0500 Jordan Skellett has the new OHL home he wanted. Sherry Bassin has the veteran defenseman he wanted. Bassin, Erie Otters managing partner/general manager, acquired Chris Breen, a 6-foot-7, 224-pound defenseman, from Saginaw for veteran forward Jordan Skellett today. The Otters also received a fifth-round pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection while sending a 2009 seventh-rounder to the Spirit. Breen, 19, provides a defensive presence on a unit that lost Josh Kidd, 19, to Manchester of the American Hockey League and Mitch Gaulton, 18, to season-ending elbow surgery. Breen has one goal, 10 points, a plus-34 rating and 118 penalty minutes in 125 career OHL games, all with the Spirit. Coach Robbie Ftorek has wanted a tough defender in front of goaltender Jaroslav Janus since being hired by the club last October, Bassin said. “We expect that it will be tougher to get to the net,” Bassin said of having Breen in the lineup. Center Zack Torquato, 19, who played with Breen in Saginaw for 1½ seasons, also praised his character, Bassin said. “(Torquato) said he’s a really good person,” Bassin said. Breen reports to practice on Wednesday and will play Thursday in Peterborough. Meanwhile, Skellett, 18, has been waiting for a trade at home in London, Ontario, since returning from Vancouver Canucks’ rookie camp last month. Skellett, who didn’t return a telephone message on Tuesday, didn’t report to Otters’ training camp. He was at times unhappy about his role with the team, his father, Jason, said last month. He also wanted to complete his OHL career closer to home, his father said. He had 25 goals 57 points in 93 games with the Otters, who acquired him in Jan. 2007 in a three-team deal that included the Spirit. – Victor Fernandes http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_trade_skellett_acquire.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_trade_skellett_acquire.html Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:06:24 -0500 The Erie Otters have acquired 6-foot-7, 224-pound defenseman Chris Breen, 19, from Saginaw for forward Jordan Skellett, 18, Sherry Bassin, managing partner/general manager, said today. The Otters also receive a fifth-round pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. They sent a 2009 seventh-round choice to the Spirit. Breen has a goal, 10 points and 118 penalty minutes in 125 career OHL games, all with the Spirit. He reports for practice on Wednesday and is expected to play in this weekend's road trip to Peterborough (Thursday), Oshawa (Friday) and Barrie (Saturday). Skellett has been at home in London, Ontario, awaiting a trade since returning from Vancouver Canucks' rookie camp last month. He chose not to report to Otters' training camp because he was unhappy with his role on the team. He also wanted to complete his OHL career closer to his family. Skellett, acquired by the Otters in a three-team trade that included Saginaw in Jan. 2007, had 25 goals and 57 points in 93 games with the club. In other news, left wing Kelly Geoffrey, who has been sidelined since undergoing shoulder surgery last spring, could play this weekend, Bassin said. He was medically cleared for full contact on Monday. "That's the best news I've ever heard in my life," Geoffrey said today. Meanwhile, Bassin said defenseman David Shields, 17, won't play this weekend because of a minor concussion suffered Friday against Plymouth. Rookie center Mike Cazzola, 17, isn't expected to play because of an ankle injury, Bassin said. But left wing Luke Gazdic, 19, should play despite an ankle injury, Bassin said. – Victor Fernandes http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/update_otters_acquire_d_breen.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/update_otters_acquire_d_breen.html Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:52:47 -0500 Josh Kidd enjoyed a taste of the American Hockey League last spring. He wanted more. Now he will have a season’s worth. Kidd, 19, ended his four-year Erie Otters’ career today by signing a one-year contract with Manchester, the Los Angeles Kings’ AHL affiliate in Manchester, N.H. He begins his first professional season on Saturday, when the Monarchs face Portland, the Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate, in Portland, Maine. “After being here last year and having a good run while I was here, this is where I want to be for further development,” said Kidd, a defenseman, who signed the contract on Sunday. “It’s time to move on.” Kidd had a goal, four points and a plus-9 rating in nine games with the Monarchs late last season before suffering a concussion that kept him out of the Calder Cup playoffs. He was the Kings’ seventh-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Kidd said he hopes his play this season will lead to a NHL contract. “There’s a lot of young guys here in their system,” he said. “If I have a good year and I can improve, I think I have a shot to sign a NHL contract in the next year.” Kidd signed with the Monarchs a week after his agent, Mark Guy, of Newport Sports Management in Mississauga, Ontario, said he expected to begin contract talks. Throughout the offseason and preseason, Kidd remained confident he would sign, even though the Kings had other contract issues to handle. “I never really went with a mindset of going back to junior,” he said. “It’s a relief to be signed. To get that over with and be able to start my season, I’m happy and real excited to be a part of the team here and to contribute here. It’s a little bit of weight off my shoulders.” Kidd had 18 goals, 50 points and 229 penalty minutes in 232 games with the Otters. He ranks 10th in franchise history in games played, 10th in points by a defenseman and sixth in goals by a defenseman. “You form pretty strong bonds with a lot of guys throughout your (OHL) career,” he said. “They become your brothers. But I have 25 new (teammates) to become close with. I’m looking forward to that.” – Victor Fernandes http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/kidd_signs_with_manchester_ott.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/kidd_signs_with_manchester_ott.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:04:59 -0500 Erie Otters defenseman Josh Kidd, 19, has signed a one-year contract with Manchester, the Los Angeles Kings' AHL affiliate, the Monarchs announced today on their Web site. Kidd spent most of the preseason and the start of the Otters' regular season at Kings' training camp before being sent to Manchester, N.H., last week. At the time, his agent, Mark Guy, of Newport Sports Management in Mississauga, Ontario, expected Kidd to sign during Monarchs' camp. Manchester begins the season on Saturday in Portland, Maine, against the Pirates, the Buffalo Sabres' affiliate. Kidd, the Kings' seventh-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, concludes his four-year Otters' career with 18 goals, 50 points and 229 penalty minutes in 232 games. He ranks 10th in club history in games played, 10th in points by a defenseman and sixth in goals by a defenseman. – Victor Fernandes http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/update_otters_kidd_signs_with.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/update_otters_kidd_signs_with.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:56:05 -0500 Erie Otters winger Luke Gazdic, 19, missed today's practice with an undisclosed injury suffered in a second-period fight against London's Mike Yovanic on Saturday night. "I got a little bit of a nagging injury," Gazdic said. "I'll see how I feel tomorrow. Hopefully I should be good for the weekend swing (to Peterborough, Oshawa and Barrie)." Despite the injury, Gazdic said the fight "was well worth it. It was a good fight." Meanwhile, rookie center Phil Teri, 17, has been a healthy scratch for the four games since forwards Gazdic, Justin Hodgman, Nick Palmieri and Zack Torquato returned from NHL camps. With coach Robbie Ftorek preferring not to keep 25 players on the roster, Teri understands he and other players could lose their spots in the future. "We don't really know what's going to happen," Teri said. "I've got to keep working hard and try to get my spot back in the starting lineup. Keep working hard - that's really the only option I have." In other news, left wing Michael Liambas, 19, remains uncertain when his rehabilitation from offseason hip flexor surgery will end. "It could be a day-to-day thing. It could be week to week. It could be month to month," he said. He awaits results from recent tests doctors conducted. For now, he will stay off the ice after participating in non-contact drills in recent weeks. "I don't want to rush anything," he said. "(The pain) would ease up after I get off the ice for a couple of weeks. Then I would start (skating) again and I would start feeling (the pain) again." – Victor Fernandes http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/gazdic_sits_out_practice_liamb.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/gazdic_sits_out_practice_liamb.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:21:12 -0500 * 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 http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_report_vs_london_saturd.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_report_vs_london_saturd.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:05:18 -0500 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.) http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_watch_vs_london_saturda.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_watch_vs_london_saturda.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:01:03 -0500 * 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 http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_report_vs_plymouth_frid.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_report_vs_plymouth_frid.html Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:28:37 -0500 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.) http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_watch_vs_plymouth_frida.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_watch_vs_plymouth_frida.html Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:01:18 -0500 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. http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/islanders_sign_spitfires_baile.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/islanders_sign_spitfires_baile.html Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:01:15 -0500 * 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 http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_report_oct_2.html http://www.goerie.thinkhost.com/mt/archives/otters/2008/10/otters_report_oct_2.html Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:56:30 -0500