Site News

The End of an Era: Facebook Page Officially Re-branded

Two years ago, we founded ‘Save Worcester Hockey’ as a way to bring Worcester Hockey fans involved and informed in the progress of getting another professional hockey team.

Earlier this week, we posted a poll to our Facebook page asking our community what their thoughts were on changing our name from ‘Save Worcester Hockey’ to something else. The options we had were:  ‘Woo Hockey’, ‘Worcester Hockey Updates’, ‘Worcester Railers Fan Page’, and an option to keep the page as it was originally named along with a few creative write-in options.

With serious consideration, we decided to combine a few of them and settle with ‘Woo Hockey – Worcester Hockey News’.

You may be familiar with the name ‘Woo Hockey’, it was the website we launched back in October, but it echos the line from the old Worcester Sharks goal horn, “Hockey, Hockey, Hockey… Woo!”

ECHL News

ECHL Considering Instant Replay

Word broke this week that the ECHL is considering adding video reviews to games. Unlike the NHL, AHL, and many other professional sports leagues, the ECHL does not have any procedures for video review but that could change in the near future.

Teams have brought up that the cost of cameras for this system would be an issue, with the systems costing anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000. The decision will be left up to team owners’, and a decision could come during this summer’s meetings.

The full article by News-Sentinel.com can be found in the tweet linked below:

Alaska Aces to Cease Operations after this Season

The Alaska Aces announced Thursday that they will no longer operate in the ECHL after this season. This comes after a rumor that surfaced last week, stating that the club was considering going dark after this season. In a press release released by the team, it cites an economic downturn and low sponsorships, in addition to low season ticket sales and attendance in recent years. “We are 100% convinced that this town can no longer generate the kind of revenue necessary to sustain a professional hockey team.”, said Managing Partner of the Alaska Aces’ ownership group.

The team will explore opportunities to sell the team to cities that want to have a team or cities that have had teams in the past. This opens another possibility for an ECHL team to come to Portland.

https://twitter.com/AlaskaAces/status/834805225512804352

Allen Americans Team Sold

The ECHL and Allen Americans Hockey Club announced on Thursday that the team had been sold to a new owner. In a press conference on Thursday, it was confirmed that an ownership group led by Jack D. Gulati had purchased the team from Steven Brothers Sports Management.  Like Worcester’s Cliff Rucker, Jack D. Gulati is a businessman who has owned several companies worldwide. Gulati also owns the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

Railers HC News

ECHL.com: Reality Starting to Set in for Railers

The ECHL posted an article on their website this week with an update on the progress the Railers have made over the past year. The team is anxiously awaiting October to arrive, with less than eight months remaining until Opening Night.

“Reality has started to set in and there is a light at the end of the tunnel now that we are in the same calendar year when we will start playing,” Railers’ President Mike Myers said. “There’s excitement in the office every day which is all I can ask for. We’ve followed a very strict road map from the start and we are exactly where we planned to be when we got this thing started.”

The article goes on with talking about how the team brought in Eric Lindquist and Head Coach Jamie Russell. Lindquist has brought a lot to the table, using his contacts to ensure the team name is always in the paper and getting the Railers name out there. Head Coach Jamie Russell has been working tirelessly on a NHL/AHL affiliation and has been scouting all year so that he can go into the free agent period this summer and know who he is going to go after and have his roster structure in place early.

The article also stated that thanks to HC Jamie Russell, the Worcester Railers have secured an affiliation, which will be announced at the conclusion of the 2016-17 ECHL season.

WoMag: Worcester Railers – Bruins Ticket Giveaway

The Worcester Railers have partnered with Worcester Magazine for a Bruins ticket giveaway this week. The winner will receive a prize of two tickets to the Bruins vs. Flyers on March 11, 2017 which are Center Ice Club Level seats (includes parking pass). Information on how to enter in the giveaway can be found in the tweet linked below:

Select A Seat Event Recap

Miss last weekend’s Select A Seat Event? We have all the information you need regarding season ticket memberships here:

Worcester Sharks Alumni News

Grosenick named AHL Player of the Week

The American Hockey League announced this week that former Worcester Shark Troy Grosenick was named player of the week for the week ending on February 19, 2017. Grosenick allowed one goal on 49 shots in two starts last week. On Tuesday night, he stopped 28 shots in a 4-1 win over Tucson. On Saturday, he made 20 saves in a 2-0 shutout over Ontario. Grosenick currently leads the AHL with the lowest goals against average (1.97) and save percentage (0.934) in 32 games played.

Buffalo News: After Traveling Globe, Kennedy Finally Comes Home to Buffalo

Buffalo News’ John Vogl caught up with former Sharks forward Tim Kennedy on his return to hockey in the United States. Kennedy reflects on his career spent in the KHL, AHL, and his time in the Sharks organization:

“Obviously, my time here would be No 1, then I think my time with the Sharks would be my second,” Kennedy said. “It’s pretty special when you can play with guys like Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, Scott Gomez, Martin Havlat. They had a ton of guys you grew up watching, and it’s pretty cool to be in the same room with those guys, travel, go on the ice and share the playoff experience with them.”

The full article can be found in the following tweet:

Transactions

Trevor Parkes signed a one-year contract extension (through 2017-18 season) with the Augsburger Panther (DEL) on February 18.

Mirco Mueller was recalled to the San Jose Sharks (NHL) from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) on February 18.

Greger Hanson was released from his PTO with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) on February 18. He will report back to the Allen Americans (ECHL).

Taylor Fedun was been placed on waivers by the Buffalo Sabres (NHL) on February 18. He cleared waivers and was been assigned to the Rochester Americans (AHL) on February 19.

Evan Trupp signed a one-year extension with the Augsburger Panther (DEL) on February 21.

Mike Moore signed a two-year contract extension (through 2018-19) with the Fischtown Pinguins (DEL) on February 22.

Bracken Kearns was recalled to the New York Islanders (NHL) from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) on February 22.

Mikael Tam was reassigned to the Norfolk Admirals(ECHL) from Bakersfield Condors (AHL) on February 22.

Greger Hanson signed a PTO with the Binghamton Senators (AHL) on February 24.