Chirps from Center Ice

A fan blog about the AHL's Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

Category Archives: WBS

Rookie Tourney Game #1: PIT 1 – OTT 4

Comments Off on Rookie Tourney Game #1: PIT 1 – OTT 4 Posted by on September 5, 2013

A bunch of Penguins rookies are in London, Ontario for the annual rookie tournament. The Penguins played the Ottawa Senators this afternoon. Both teams were filled with young players which will likely be mainstays in the AHL, ECHL or back to juniors and maybe one or two players with a realistic shot at NHL action this season.

Here’s a look at the rosters. Lines cobbled together looked like this:

Kuhnhackl-Megna-Brace
Sylvester-Nejezchleb-Dea
Simmonds-Rankin-Rowney
Farnham-O’Brien-Marcantuoni

Pouliot-Samuelsson
Maatta-Harrington
D’Agostino-Seymour

Hartzell-Jarry

Samuelsson wore the C and Jayson Megna was the alternate.

Scratches were D’s Harrison Ruopp and Brian Dumoulin and forwards Reid McNeill, Dominik Uher, Adam Payerl and goaltender Matt Murray.

Oh, Ottawa won 4-1. Cody Sylvester scored the lone goal for Pittsburgh.

Ottawa jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Sylvester scored with 3.4 left in the first period.

Jarry replaced Hartzell about halfway through the second.

Derek Grant scored a goal in the second and again in the third.

Bobby Farnham was in midseason form, fighting twice and getting a game misconduct.

If I am following the WBS twitter feed correctly, it looks like the Penguins were 1-for-4 on the power play. There was no box score, so I don’t really know.

If if the Penguins put a recap on wbspenguins.com I will tweet it and link it here. EDIT: Here is the recap. EDIT 2: Pittsburgh had a recap as well.

Penguins play Saturday vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs prospects.

WBS

Penguins Announce Hall of Fame

Comments Off on Penguins Announce Hall of Fame Posted by on September 4, 2013

Today, the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins announced the plans to unveil the inaugural Penguins Hall of Fame Class during the 2013-14 season.

Press release here. The release mentions honoring players and builders who have contributed to the first 14 years of the Penguins existence.

In the release, they name 23 players up for nomination. The criteria are that they must have been retired for two years, spent at least two seasons playing for the Penguins and have made a significant contribution to the Penguins community on the ice or off.

They are…

  • G Adam Berkhoel – with the Penguins from 2008-09 and 2009-10. Probably best remembered for getting his knee drained during intermissions in the Penguins postseason run.
  • RW Dennis Bonvie – needs no introduction. Is a lock to be nominated.
  • RW Jesse Boulerice – a bruising heavyweight who spent 2009-10 and 2010-11 with Wilkes-Barre.
  • D Brendan Buckley – played four seasons for Wilkes-Barre from 2000-01 to 2003-04.
  • LW Greg Crozier – member of the inaugural crew of players that took the ice in 1999-2000. Has one NHL game to his credit.
  • RW Robert Dome – another one of the pioneers who skated with Wilkes-Barre in 1999-2000.
  • C Shane Endicott – 73 goals for Wilkes-Barre from 2001-02 to 2004-05.
  • RW Jonathan Filewich – his 64 goals while donning a Penguins sweater cannot be overlooked from 2005-06 to 2008-09.
  • C Dave Gove – co-captained Wilkes-Barre in 2008-09 and also won Stanley Cup with Carolina Hurricanes.
  • D Chris Kelleher – Massachusetts native had two stints with Wilkes-Barre. 1999-2000 to 2000-01 and 2004-05 to 2005-06 and one NHL game with the Boston Bruins.
  • F Jason MacDonald – one of the men responsible for the St. Patrick’s Day Massacre back in 2002. With the team for three seasons beginning in 2000-01.
  • C Alexander Mathieu – played the first three seasons of the Penguins existence.
  • D Josef Melichar – played 80 games for WBS in 1999-2000 and 46 in 2000-01. Would go on to a pretty decent NHL career.
  • RW Eric Meloche – 61 goals scored for WBS in parts of four seasons. Played last year in the LNAH with the Cornwall Riverkings.
  • D Alain Nasreddine – next to Tom Kostopoulos, probably one of the more popular captains in WBS history. Currently serves as the assistant coach.
  • LW Steve Parsons – that picture of the guy in the St. Patrick’s Day Massacre mentioned earlier fighting bare chested? One of them was Steve Parsons. Owner of the single game PIM record (64)
  • D Peter Ratchuk – played a good majority of his professional career overseas. Skated with Wilkes-Barre in 2001-02 and 2006-07.
  • D John Slaney – will forever be remembered for being traded during All-Star festivities in Wilkes-Barre to the Philadelphia Phantoms in 2000-01.
  • C Michal Sivek – played with WBS in 2001-02 then went to Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic, returned back to Wilkes-Barre in 2002-03 to 2003-04, then went back over to Sparta Praha and retired in 2007-08.
  • LW Martin Sonnenberg – scored the first goal in Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins history.
  • G Robbie Tallas – played two seasons for the Penguins in 2001-02 to 2002-03 and is now the Goaltender Coach for the Florida Panthers.
  • D Mike Wilson – 20th overall pick in the 1993 NHL draft played his North American twilight years for the Penguins in 2001-02 and 2002-03.
  • LW Alexander Zevakhin – played all of his North American hockey with the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins from 2000-01 to 2002-03 before departing back to his homeland of Russia.

My vote will go Dennis Bonvie and Alain Nasreddine. As you can probably tell by my recaps, I don’t know much about any player from 2008 or before.

The Penguins mentioned “builders” in their press release, so it is likely that we see a ballot of non-players sometime this season. One name I think that needs to be on that list in Tom Grace. Name two people who are synonymous with this franchise. Dennis Bonvie is one, and Tom Grace is probably the other.

I’d like to see other people like media and front office guys get in as well as long time sponsors at some point in the future.

No bloggers though.

WBS

Guess Who’s Back? Back Again…

Comments Off on Guess Who’s Back? Back Again… Posted by on September 3, 2013

He’s like a bad penny. He always turns up.

Hopefully this penny brings luck to the Penguins in their fifteenth season.

The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins announced today that they have signed all time leader in just about every category you can think of Tom Kostopoulos to an AHL contract.

It will be Kostopoulos’ third tenure in Wilkes-Barre. Remember last season Kostopoulos was claimed on waivers by the New Jersey Devils right after the lockout.

Fitting that, an inaugural member of the first WBS team in 1999-2000, will be on the team ready to set sail on it’s 15th season in the AHL.

Kostopoulos, a one-time WBS captain, most likely has the “C” if he wants it.

I’ve updated the 2013 Offseason Moves List appropriately.

WBS

Penguins Release 2013-14 Promo Schedule

Comments Off on Penguins Release 2013-14 Promo Schedule Posted by on August 28, 2013

Wilkes-Barre put out the pick sheet forms in the mail today and with it the Promotional Schedule. Let’s have a look…

Saturday, October 12: Magnetic Schedule Courtesy of Geisinger (first 5,000)
Saturday, October 26: Car Magnet (first 5,000)
Saturday, November 16: Team Photo Courtesy of Bayard (first 5,000)
Saturday, November 23: PA Ticket Lottery Giveaway
Saturday, December 14: Penguins Nut Cracker (first 5,000)
Saturday, December 21: Chip Clip (first 5,000)
Saturday, January 4: License Plate (first 5,000)
Saturday, January 11: Car Flag (first 5,000)
Saturday, February 1: Hall of Fame Statue #1 (first 5,000)
Saturday, February 8: Hall of Fame Statue #2 (first 5,000)
Saturday, February 22: All-Star Poster Courtesy of McCarthy Tire (first 5,000)
Saturday, March 15: Penguins Bobble head #1 (first 5,000)
Saturday, March 22: Penguins Umbrella Courtesy of PNC Bank (first 5,000)
Saturday, April 5: Penguins Bobble head #2 (first 5,000)
Saturday, April 12: Star Wars Mug (first 5,000)
Sunday, April 13: Fan Appreciation Night

Also, in a move which will likely be very popular, all full share Season Ticket Holders are guaranteed to receive the ten biggest promotional items via a redemption tab attached to the bottom of each game ticket, allowing you to collect the item in the Arena.

The Pens are likely to add to the Promo list as they have in the past.

I’ll be back tomorrow with another blog entry paying off other page twos, sooner if there are more important issues to discuss.

Business is picking up….

WBS

2013-14 AHL Schedule Released

Comments Off on 2013-14 AHL Schedule Released Posted by on August 22, 2013

(blogger note: I am in New York City attending my brothers wedding. I needed to turn the keys of the blog over to the venerable Jenni Probst, who runs the blog Chasing Checkers covering the Charlotte Checkers. It wasn’t easy, but Jenni does solid work. These are my questions, this is her work)

It’s finally here! This afternoon, the AHL released its schedule for the 2013-2014 season. Click here for the league release, complete with links to all thirty teams schedules and a month by month breakdown.

I think that the concept of the question and answer session I did for last years schedule was well received. So I am bringing it back again this year. Here it goes…

Question #1: Who is the first opponent the Penguins play this season?

Answer: The first opponent the Penguins will play this season will be the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Saturday, October 5 at 7pm at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Question #2: We know the Penguins home opener is on October 12. Who are they playing?

Answer: The Penguins open the doors of the Mohegan Sun Arena for their 15th season and welcome in the Hershey Bears at 7 p.m.

Question #3: Are the Penguins playing any Western Conference teams this season?

Answer: Yes.  They will face four Western conference teams, all out of the North Division.  The Utica Comets will play the Penguins for the first time in either team’s history.  The Rochester Americans, Toronto Marlies and Hamilton Bulldogs will also play the Penguins for a total of 10 games this season. Utica is on the schedule four times, Toronto, Rochester and Hamilton are on the schedule twice.

Question #4: How many games against in division foes will the Penguins play this year?

Answer: 38 total, or half the schedule.  Hershey 12; Binghamton 8; Norfolk 8; Syracuse 10.  These are split home and away.

Question #5: What is the longest roadtrip of the season?

Answer: January 17-26.  They play six games on the road.  The first half is a swing of three games against Atlantic division teams, followed by three games against Hershey and Norfolk.

Question #6: When is the longest homestand of the season?

Answer: Six games from December 11-27.   

Question #7: How many times do the Penguins play three games in three nights?

Answer: They will have eight three-in-threes this season.  One in October, two in January, two in February, two in March and two in April.

Question #8: The furthest in-division rival the penguins play are the Norfolk Admirals. How are those away games against the Admirals set up for the Penguins this season?

Answer: They play in Norfolk January 24 and 25, followed by Hershey on the 26th.  They visit Norfolk again on March 28 and 29th with no games immediately before or after.

Question #9: How many times do the Penguins play each month?

Answer: Here’s a nifty chart:

Month Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.
Home 4 7 7 6 7 4 4
Road 3 6 3 8 4 8 4

Question #10: You have a daily breakdown of games, too, oh chart master?

Answer: Your guest blogger probably shouldn’t have had a beer while dissecting the schedule, because this question was challenging, but here you go  The Penguins don’t play any games on Monday or Thursday:

Day Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat.
Home 3 0 2 6 0 12 15
Road 9 0 0 2 0 14 9

Question #11: Where is the All-Star Classic this year?

Answer: To be announced.

Question #12: How many times are all thirty AHL teams playing on the same night?

Answer: Only twice this year. Saturday, January 11, Saturday, February 22, 

Question #13: What’s the theme that the Penguins are going with this season?

Answer: Yep.  The 2013-14 motto for the Penguins 15th Anniversary is, “Honoring the Past. Envisioning the Future.” Click here for the printable schedule and a look at the logo.

Question #14: Do the Penguins play in any special venues?

Answer: Yes.  They play two games in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on March 1 and 23 against the Albany Devils.

Question #15: Are the Penguins doing a PensFest like they did last year?

Answer: Details to be announced soon.

Question #16: When will the soon-to-be famous Chirps from Center Ice AHL Team Previews be out this year?

Answer: You have to ask Jason.

Question #17: How disappointed are you that the Penguins don’t face the Charlotte Checkers this year?

Well, despite the fact their last meeting was less-than-stellar for the Penguins, and ended their 2010-11 Playoff run, I really wish those two teams were going to meet up, mostly because Jenni over at Chasing Checkers is awesome, and the Charlotte Checkers are a lot of fun to watch!

Hey, how the heck did that last question get in there. What the?

Underscoring the AHL schedule release, Pittsburgh announced Rookie Tournament details, complete with roster and bios. Jonathan Bombulie had a blurb on newly minted Penguin Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond as well as his own thoughts on the schedule and the Rookie Tournament.

Dissection complete for another year. If you have any questions, leave them in comments or hit me on Twitter or Facebook.

Can’t wait to get going. Let’s Go Pens!

(would again like to thank Jenni for taking time out of her busy schedule to step in and blog for me as I am in the Big Apple for my brothers wedding. Please be sure to check out her work during this season.)

Pittsburgh, The AHL, WBS

Pierre Letourneau or Luc Leblond? You Decide!

1 Comment Posted by on August 20, 2013

I am on vacation from my big boy job this week, but the AHL news cycle was as active today as its been in weeks.

No, the schedule isn’t out yet. More on that in a minute.

No, the AHL All-Star Classic venue hasn’t been announced yet either.

The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins announced today the signing of Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, a 6’2, 210 pound behemoth of a man that can absolutely throw. Some of his work…

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The signing creates a massive logjam in the toughness department because you have Steve MacIntyre, Zach Sill, Letourneau-Leblond and quite possibly Harry Zolnierczyk all under contract for the Penguins this Fall.

Anyway, Letourneau-Leblond played for the Norfolk Admirals last season and went 3-5-8, a +7 with 98 PIMs. 1-2-3 of that 3-5-8 came in a game from outer space against the Penguins in February that saw Letourneau-Leblond score a goal and assist on two others and tough guy Jay Rosehill score two goals and assist on another.

Both Rosehill and Letourneau-Leblond scored on goals which were assisted by the other.

Letourneau-Leblond was ranked 80th on the Jonathan Bombulie / Michael Cignoli big board, by the way.

The 2013 Offseason Moves List has been updated appropriately.

Not to be outdone, but our friends in Hershey were active on the wire today as well, signing Brandon Segal, which gives the Bears the top-six right wing need they were looking for. He’s a vet, putting Hershey one over to start the year (Derek Whitmore, Jeff Taffe, Jamie, Johnson, Dane Byers and Tyson Strachan being the others)

There were other Penguins related page two’s worth noting:

— Ian Altenbaugh’s story from the other day on WBS D Reid McNeill, who is training with Gary Roberts for this upcoming season.

— Mike Bales, who worked this season with the departed Brad Thiessen and current WBS goaltender Jeff Zatkoff, was promoted to Pittsburgh as their goaltending coach.

— On Zatkoff, he was spotted in North Carolina practicing with Carolina Hurricanes players / prospects. Photoset here. Zatkoff summers in Raleigh, N.C.

So on the, “You Decide” part of the blog headline. A question. Do you like the offseason haul that the Penguins have reared so far? Does it put Wilkes-Barre / Scranton among the league elite? Four players, Chris Conner, Nick Drazenovic, Andrew Ebbett and Brendan Mikkeslon are all in the Top 50 on the aforementioned Big Board. All quality players. But how do they matchup against the other divisional heavyweights in Syracuse and Hershey and the AHL overall? Vote…

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Finally, I have the sense that the AHL schedule will be released this week. Only problem is, I am traveling to New York City on Thursday for my brothers wedding for the weekend. I’ll likely not have enough time, enraptured with the marital activities, to tweet or blog up a proper analysis. So I have enrolled the services of Jenni Probst, head cook and bottle washer of the blog Chasing Checkers to pinch hit for me while I am away in the Big Apple. Look for her piece Thursday, or Friday, depending on how quickly or slowly Springfield gets its act together.

Stay cool.

Pittsburgh, The AHL, WBS

Penguins Find New Voice

Comments Off on Penguins Find New Voice Posted by on August 15, 2013

The Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins announced today that they have named Mike O’Brien the new Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations.

The hire was an obvious choice, as O’Brien served as the departing Tom Grace’s right hand man on color commentary for the past two seasons. O’Brien has done this before, back in 2008-09 for the defunct Lowell Devils, where he started on color then took over play-by-play duties for the 2009-10 season.

Some of the other voices in the AHL offered their congratulations on Twitter…

(Brendan Burke is the voice of the new Utica Comets)

(Dan D’Uva is the voice of the Syracuse Crunch)

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Nothing else happening now. The AHL schedule should be out in about a week or ten days. Have a great weekend.

WBS

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