Hockey News

ECHL Announces 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees

The ECHL announced this week that the 2017 inductees for the ECHL Hall of Fame are T. Paul Hendrick, Rick Kowalsky and Brad Phillips.

“This year’s class of inductees is certainly the most diverse in the 10 years of the ECHL Hall of Fame,” ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna said. “Rick Kowalsky is recognized as one of the best all-around players in League history. Brad Phillips was an incredibly dedicated and consistent linesman throughout his career and Paul Hendrick’s behind-the-scenes contribution to the League structure, governance and stability is immeasurable. All three have made significant and valuable contributions to the ECHL.”

The three will be formally inducted as the 10th class of the ECHL Hall of Fame at a ceremony before the 2017 CCM / ECHL All-Star Classic on Wednesday, January 18, 2017.

[Read More at ECHL.com]

AHL Announces Format Changes for 2017 All-Star Challenge

On December 6, the American Hockey League announced a new format for the upcoming AHL All-Star Challenge that will be held next month.

On January 29th, a traditional skills competition will be held, pitting the All-Stars from the Eastern Conference against their counterparts from the Western Conference. Events include the hardest shot, fastest skater, breakaway relay, and others.

On Monday night, January 30th, a four-team round-robin tournament will be held. Each team will represent the league’s four divisions. The squads will battle in a series of 10-minute mini games, each contested three-on-three.

The teams with two best records will face off in the Championship game, a six-minute, three-on-three affair. Last year’s inaugural tournament saw the Central Division come out victorious.

For those familiar with the format for the NHL All-Star game, the AHL is adopting the same format for their All-Star game.

[Read More at TheAHL.com]

Railers HC News

Cliff Rucker named Central Mass. Power Player for 2016

This week, the Worcester Business Journal released its annual list of Power Players for Central Massachusetts. In the list, they recognize the “people that has the most influence based on their position and personality” within the Worcester business community. Worcester Railers HC owner Cliff Rucker was named to the list as a Gear Shifter, someone who is “breathing new life into old ideas”, which is for his role in bringing another new hockey team to Worcester and bringing the Worcester Sports Center in the Canal District. Other notable power players include President & CEO of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce Tim Murray and Sandy Dunn, General Manager of the DCU Center.

[Read More at WBJournal.com]

T&G Santa Fund Donations at $17,400.00

As of this writing, the Worcester Railers HC has donated a total of $17,400.00 the Telegram & Gazette’s Santa Fund. The Worcester Railers Foundation will make a $200 donation to the for every $50 deposit for a Railers HC membership now through January 15, 2017.

The Worcester Railers Foundation will make a $200 donation to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund for each $50 deposit for a Railers HC membership now through January 15, 2017.

As of this writing, the Worcester Railers HC have 1038 Memberships.

Ugly Sweater Party is on Monday!

The Worcester Railers HC will be hosting an Ugly Sweater Party on this Monday, December 12, 2016 featuring Boston sports legend Rene Rancourt! It will be taking place at Mezcal Tequila Cantina – located across from the DCU Center. We’ll be sure to relay any information from the event and will be sharing a recap of the event shortly after. Make sure to RSVP today! [Learn More]

Worcester Sharks Alumni News

Gill Named ECHL Goaltender of the Week

Former Worcester Sharks Goaltender Riley Gill was named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week for November 28 – December 4. Gill went 3-1-0 with two shutouts, a 1.24 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage last week, and has now received the honor a fourth time.

Worcester IceCats Alumni News

Jeff Hoggan signs contract with Iowa Wild

Iowa Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher on Friday announced the American Hockey League (AHL) club has signed forward Jeff Hoggan to an AHL Standard Player Contract (SPC) for the 2016-17 AHL season. Hoggan previously signed a professional tryout contract (PTO) at the beginning of the season, scoring three goals and totaling six points in 18 games. Hoggan has played in nearly 700 AHL regular season games, including 47 in the Worcester IceCats’ final season. Hoggan was also named an alternate captain for the team.

Boguniecki Reaches Coaching Milestone

Former Worcester IceCats Forward Eric Boguniecki reached a coaching milestone last week, being behind the bench for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for more than 400 games. Going into his sixth year as the assistant coach, Boguniecki has coached more games than any previous Sound Tigers coach.

[Read More at CTPost.com]

Transactions

Ryan Carpenter was reassigned to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) from the San Jose Sharks on December 3.

Curt Gogol signed a contract with the Florida Everblades (ECHL) on December 5.

JP Anderson was traded from the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) to the Adirondack Thunder (ECHL) on December 6.

Mirco Mueller was recalled to the San Jose Sharks (NHL) from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) on December 7.

Matt Willows was recalled to the San Jose Barracuda (ECHL) from the Allen Americans (NHL) on December 8.

Jeff Hoggan was signed to a standard player contract with the Iowa Wild (AHL) on December 9.

Brock Higgs was returned to the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL) from the Providence Bruins on December 9.