TEMPE, Ariz – It was another quiet week for the Central Hockey League except for a report by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Mark Schlinkman, that says “one of its teams” will begin play at St. Charles, Missouri’s Family Arena in 2013. Details will reportedly be announced at a news conference on Wednesday.
Schlinkman says a source said the team will be called the St. Charles Chill. The arena’s last hockey tenant was the United Hockey League’s Missouri River Otters, which folded in 2006.
In other news around the league:
Allen Americans
The Americans had the busiest week and started out by adding toughness and experience to their roster with the signing of 11th year forward Darryl Bootland.
Bootland was an eighth round pick of the Colorado Avalanche back in the 2000 NHL entry draft. The native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, played in a combined 28 games for the Detroit Red Wings in the 2003-2004 and 2006-2007 seasons. He also played in four games for the New York Islanders in 2007-2008.
“Bootland is a prototypical power forward – skilled and tough,” Americans Head Coach Steve Martinson said. “Darryl is a nasty guy to play against that has a great scoring touch. You can’t score 27 goals in the AHL without skill. He will show our young wingers exactly how we want them to play.”
Bootland spent last season with the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL), scoring 53 points (25 G, 28 A) and 170 PIM, his best numbers since the 2005-06 season, when he put up 56 points (27 G, 29 A) and 309 PIM with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL).
In addition to Bootland, Allen announced that they have signed second-yearcenter Chris Doyle.
The 22-year-old native of Charlottetown, PEI played in 41 games last year in the ECHL, splitting time between South Carolina, Stockton and Reading. He netted 34 points (19 G, 15 A) combined in the three cities. Doyle also played 18 games with the Augusta RiverHawks (SPHL) and contributed 31 points (13 G, 18 A).
Chris Whitley
On Friday, the Americans announced that they have come to terms with 4th year goalie Chris Whitley, who returns to Allen after spending last season with the Dundee Stars in Europe. Whitley led the Americans to the Central Hockey League finals in the Americans’ inaugural season of 2009-10. He won 31 games between the pipes that year, compiling a record of 31-8-4 with a .914 SV%.
“To me playing for Allen is the same feeling guys get when they play for their hometown,” Whitley said. “I always wanted to win a championship in Allen and being able to return with the guys Coach Martinson has brought in, I know we have a great chance at doing that. I can’t wait to be back playing at the AEC in October in front of the best fans in the CHL.”
Prior to his career with the Americans, he spent five years at Lakehead
University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Whitley is the first goaltender signing announced by the Americans this off-season, and brings the total number of players under contract to eleven.
The Americans also announced that they will open the 2012-13 season at home on October 20th with the opponent to be determined at a later date.
Arizona Sundogs
There was no news of note from Prescott Valley this week.
Bloomington Blaze
The Blaze signed 25-year-old defenseman Nicolas Rioux to their 2012-13 roster this week. This will be Rioux’s sophomore season – he spent his rookie year with the now defunct Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.
The 6’ 1”, 205 pound native of Riviere-du-Loup, PQ contributed 5 goals, 16 assists, and 44 penalty minutes in 65 regular season games. He also held a respectable +5 plus/minus rating last season.
“Nicolas is a solid two-way defenseman with a lot of offensive potential,” Blaze Head Coach Brian Gratz said. “He had a strong rookie season last year in Rio Grande and I look for him to be even better this season.”
Before his transition into the pros, Rioux played in various leagues from
2004-2011, including Amherst Ramblers of the MJAHL, the Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL, and St. Cloud State of the WCHA. Rioux was captain and defensive player of the year at Quesnel and assistant captain, MVP, and defensive player of the year at Prince George.
Denver Cutthroats
The Cutthroats announced this week that their home-opener will take place on October 19th, against an opponent that has yet to be determined. The date will mark the first pro hockey game at the Denver Coliseum since 1989.
Missouri Mavericks
There was no news of note from Independence this week.
Quad City Mallards
Mike Hellyer
Following the Bison’s 2010-12 season, Hellyer played three games with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) before joining the Texas Brahmas for their last three regular season games and 12 post-season contests. He contributed an assist in the regular season and six points (3 G, 3 A) in the playoffs.
Also unofficially, the Mallards have reportedly signed former Dayton Gems defenseman Dustin DeGagne. DeGagne, 26, hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba and began last season in the Netherlands, playing for the Turnhout White Caps. In 24 games, he tallied 22 points (6 G, 16 A) before joining the Gems at the end of January. He has two assists and 17 PIM in 25 games for Dayton.
In other news, defenseman Bobby Preece has reportedly joined his former Mallards teammate, forward Jared Brown in Poland, signing with GKS Katowice.
Rapid City Rush
There was no news of note from Rapid City this week.
Texas Brahmas
The silence coming from the Brahmas organization is deafening and although the insiders are aware of some of the happenings at the NYTEX Sports Centre, many of the fans aren’t. Long the location of many a black helicopter sighting – to date, no conspiracy theories have emerged. I expect we’ll see something from the team as early (or late, if you will) as this week.
Tulsa Oilers
There was no news of note from Tulsa this week.
Wichita Thunder
The Thunder added a couple of not-so-gentle giants to their line-up on Friday, re-signing right wing Erick Lizon and agreeing to terms with forward Aaron Boogaard for the 2012-13 season.
Erick Lizon
“I enjoyed my time last year in Wichita,” Lizon said. “Making it as far as we did feels like there is unfinished business for me in Wichita along with the fans, staff, and players in the dressing room. I am looking forward to October and hope we can bring home a title.”
A sixth-round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild, Boogaard, 25, is entering his sixth season of professional hockey; the past two years spent in the CHL. He was traded from Laredo to rival Rio Grande Valley at the beginning of the 2011-12 season. Prior to his time in the CHL, he has spent parts of three seasons with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (AHL) and the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)
“When Wichita showed interest in bringing me in for this upcoming season, I jumped at the opportunity,” Boogaard said. “They have been a premier team the past few years with a great coach and I am very much excited to wear the Thunder jersey and a part of the organization.”
Aaron Boogaard
“Having these two individuals in our dressing room is going to be very important for us next season,” Thunder Head Coach Kevin McClelland said. “Lizon was a fan favorite and is hungry to win a title. Having a guy like Boogaard is key for us as well. Both guys bring a physical presence and work hard every night. I am looking forward to both Erick and Aaron being a part of our organization.”
The team confirmed on Wednesday that their home opener for the 2012-13 season will take place on Friday, October 19th against an opponent yet to be
determined.
Contact the writer/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
Follow us at Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.