ECHL News

Four Groups Submit Proposals to Bring Pro Hockey Back to Portland

In recent weeks, hype for pro hockey returning to Portland has been built up. As reported by PressHerald.com, Four parties have submitted proposals this week to bring an ECHL franchise to the city. The Cross Insurance Arena’s board of trustees will review their proposals next week. The board has set goals for a new tenant to stay at the arena for a long-term, and to remain sustainable for the arena, while acknowledging the need for the franchise to be a successful business operation.

The full article can be found in the tweet below:

Adirondack Thunder Sold

The Adirondack Civic Center Coalition announced earlier this week that they had bought the Adirondack Thunder from its parent club, the Calgary Flames. Approved at the ECHL Board of Governors meeting in early February, the deal will be finalized and the transfer of ownership will happen at the end of the season. The Coalition also launched a fundraiser to “Keep Hockey Here”, aiming to have the hockey club make a long-term commitment to Glens Falls, New York. With a goal of $1 Million, the funds will go towards the purchase and operating funds for next season.

https://twitter.com/SinBinNews/status/836654047864184832

Railers HC News

Bill Ballou: Worcester Railers’ hockey to-do list picks up steam as it chugs toward inaugural season

Telegram & Gazette’s Bill Ballou catches up with Worcester Railers’ Cliff Rucker and Jamie Russell on what the team has left to do in order to be ready for next season’s puck drop. With the announcement that an affiliation had been secured last week, it appears that the New York Islanders will be the Railers’ first affiliate:

The Railers’ NHL affiliate, which can’t be announced until the summer but is unofficially lined up to be the New York Islanders, appears to be exactly what Worcester had hoped for when it began looking for a partner.

 

Junior Sharks to take on Railers Name

The Worcester Junior Sharks announced on Monday that the Worcester Junior Sharks, will become the Worcester Junior Railers for the 2017-18 season. Formerly known as the Mid State Youth Hockey, Junior IceCats, Junior Sharks, and the Worcester Crusaders, the organization is the largest non-profit youth hockey club in Central Massachusetts. They have over 550 players with 92 USA Hockey certified coaches. In 2017, they are celebrating their 30th year of play.

Ice Center Announces Reliant Medical Group as Physical Therapy Partner

WPI Signs Long-Term Lease with Worcester Ice Center

Worcester IceCats Alumni News

Jay McClement to Play in 900th NHL Game

Former Worcester IceCat Jay McClement will play in his 900th NHL game tonight. At Age 34, it looks like his play time won’t stop anytime soon. McClement is the youngest IceCat to still be playing in the NHL.

Bill Ballou: Former Worcester IceCat Tyson Nash thrives in Coyotes’ radio booth

Bill Ballou caught up with former Worcester IceCat Tyson Nash earlier this week. Nash reflects on his time playing for the Worcester IceCats and how his broadcasting career started in Worcester while recovering from injury.

Worcester Sharks Alumni News

210Sports: Nikolay Goldobin traded from San Jose to Vancouver, but he’ll always belong to WorSharks fans

Former Worcester Sharks forward Nikolay Goldobin was traded during this year’s NHL trade deadline. Goldobin was sent to the Vancouver Canucks in return for forward Jannik Hansen. You may recall, Goldobin was a part of the Worcester Sharks’ final season and playoff run, playing in 13 games with three goals and two assists. Worcester Hockey blogger Darryl Hunt recalls Goldobin’s 13 game stint in Worcester, and how it wasn’t just his performance on the ice that made him one of us.

Grosenick Named Goaltender of the Month

As reported on here in recent weeks, former Worcester Shark Troy Grosenick has found his groove with the San Jose Barracuda. This week, the American Hockey League (AHL) named him Goaltender of the Month for the Month of February. In the month of February, he had a perfect 9-0-0 in nine starts, posting a 1.88 goals-against average, and a a .933 save percentage. Grosenick continues to lead the league in goals-against with 2.00 and a 0.932 save percentage.

Transactions

Bracken Kearns was reassigned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) from the New York Islanders (NHL) on February 27.

Yanni Gourde has been recalled to the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) from the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) on February 27.

Barclay Goodrow has been reassigned to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) from the San Jose Sharks (NHL) on February 28.

Nikolay Goldobin was traded from the San Jose Sharks to the Vancouver Canucks on March 1.

JP Anderson signed a PTO with the Toronto Marlies on March 3.