Back here in the fourth annual Chirps from Center Ice AHL Previews is the Midwest Division. If you missed earliers West Division Preview, you can click to it here, or you can use the drop down menu above.
The lone newcomer to this division is the Iowa Wild, taking place of the now defunct AHL version of the Peoria Rivermen. The Penguins don’t play anyone in this division either. The Chicago Wolves are the new affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, and the record of the old Blues affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, is used in the capsule.
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Chicago Wolves (St. Louis Blues)
Last Year: (while the Peoria Rivermen) — 33-35-5-3 (74 pts., 5th place Midwest Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: John Anderson
Arena: Allstate Arena
ECHL Affiliation: Kalamazoo Wings and the Missouri Mavericks of the Central Hockey League
Offseason Moves: Corey Locke, Evan Oberg, Keith Aucoin, Christian Hanson, Mark Mancari, Shane Harper
The case for: A virtual AHL Hall of Fame team is going to be iced night in and night out. If there was a preseason favorite to win it all this year, look no further than right here.
The case against: Rarely do you see preseason favorites run the table and win it all.
Media Coverage: Chicago Sun-Times
Fan Blog: None – or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @Chicago_Wolves
Facebook: /chicagowolveshockey
Instagram: chicagowolveshockey
Broadcaster: Jason Shaver (twitter)
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings)
Last Year: 42-26-4-4 (92 pts., 1st place Midwest Division)
Playoffs: 3rd seed — Won Calder Cup by defeating the Syracuse Crunch in six games.
Head Coach: Jeff Blashill
Arena: Van Andel Arena
ECHL Affiliation: Toledo Walleye
Offseason Moves: David McIntyre
The case for: The defending champs lost more than they gained with offseason defections. But don’t let that fool you.
The case against: In the last 25 years, a back-to-back champion has been crowned just twice.
Media Coverage: Peter Wallner for MLive (twitter / blog)
Fan Blog: None — or else I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @grgriffins
Facebook: /grgriffins
Instagram: griffinshockey
Broadcaster: Bob Kaser
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators)
Last Year: 41-28-4-3 (89 pts., 2nd place Midwest Division)
Playoffs: 8 seed — Lost in four games to the Texas Stars in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Head Coach: Dean Evason
Arena: BMO Harris Bradley Center
ECHL Affiliation: Cincinnati Cyclones
Offseason Moves: Mathieu Tousignant, Barry Almeida, Carter Hutton, Bryan Rodney, Theo Ruth
The case for: Modestly strong offseason for the Admirals,who will be looking to keep the streak of consecutive Calder Cup Playoffs appearances alive.
The case against: Naming eight other teams in the conference better than the Admirals can’t be that hard.
Media Coverage: Journal Sentinel — Dave Boehler (twitter / blog)
Fan Blog: Admirals Roundtable (twitter / blog)
Twitter: @mkeadmirals
Facebook: /mkeadmirals
Instagram: The Admirals don’t dabble in Instagram.
Broadcaster: Aaron Sims (twitter)
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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Iowa Wild (Minnesota Wild)
Last Year: (while the Houston Aeros) — 40-26-5-5 (90 pts., 4th place Midwest Division)
Playoffs: 6 seed — Lost in five games to the Grand Rapids Griffins in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Head Coach: Kurt Kleinendorst
Arena: Wells Fargo Arena
ECHL Affiliation: Orlando Solar Bears and the Quad City Mallards of the CHL.
Offseason Moves: Nino Niederreiter, Jon Landry, Jonathon Blum
The case for: This team is going to be invigorated what with a new town, new coach and new fans to play in, for and in front of. Expect a season of success from the Wild in Des Moines.
The case against: I think the above works well in any other division but this one that Iowa is playing in.
Media Coverage: The Des Moines Register
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @iawild
Facebook: /IAWild
Instagram: iowawild
Broadcaster: Joe O’Donnell (twitter)
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks)
Last Year: 42-31-2-1 (87 pts., 3rd place Midwest Division)
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
Head Coach: Ted Dent
Arena: BMO Harris Bank Center
ECHL Affiliation: Toledo Walleye
Offseason Moves: Jared Nightengale, Mike Kostka, Brad Winchester
The case for: The IceHogs nearly got in as the eight seed last season, and if they did, may have upset the apple cart as the team no one wanted to face. Does the trend continue into a new season?
The case against: As with many teams in this division or Conference, it may be that team that plays in the city where the IceHogs parent team lies.
Media Coverage: Rockford Register Star
Fan Blog: None — or I haven’t found it yet.
Twitter: @goicehogs
Facebook: /RockfordIceHogs
Instagram: rockfordicehogs
Broadcaster: Mike Peck (@MikePeck14)
vs. WBS: Do not play.
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Check back tomorrow at noon for the North Division Preview and as always share the Previews with anyone you know and feel free to leave comments.
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