The Central Hockey League Report

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Central Hockey League report returns after a one-week hiatus only to the find the National Hockey League on what may become a permanent hiatus for the 2012-13 season.
As of midnight, as explained by NHL.com:
“…the deadline for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association passed without an agreement being reached. As a result, training camps will not open until agreement on a new CBA is reached.”
As the two sides continue their negotiations (or not), the minor league take center stage and in the Central Hockey League, teams like the Allen Americans, Arizona Sundogs, Denver Cutthroats and Texas Brahmas, whose home ice is conveniently close to that of the Dallas Stars, Phoenix Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche will offer for many, what may be the only game in town.
These teams, and the league as a whole, have an opportunity to show the rest of the hockey world how competitive, entertaining and affordable CHL hockey can be.
In other news around the league from the past two weeks: Allen Americans
The Dallas Stars and Texas Stars announced on September 4th that the clubs have signed a new affiliation agreement with the Americans through the 2012-13 season. It will be the fourth season the trio of teams has worked together.   “We are pleased to continue our affiliation with the Allen Americans.” Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. “A llen has had a great deal of success since their inception, and it’s been a very positive partnership having a development affiliate in such close proximity”   “It’s a great opportunity for our players with the proximity of the NHL and AHL affiliates being right down the road.” Americans Head Coach Steve Martinson said . “A player can practice with us in the morning and then play in an AHL game that night.”
Two days later, the Americans announced the signing of Forward Anthony Maiani to a contract for the upcoming season.   Anthony Maini joins the Americans after playing for Steve Martinson last season in Chicago of the ECHL. In 39 games, he scored 4 goals for a total of 18 points. Prior to Chicago, he played in 23 games last year for the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.   Maini is a native of Shelby Township, Michigan. He began his professional career in 2011, playing in a couple of games between Wheeling and Colorado of the ECHL. The former University of Denver product played in 158 games between 2007and 2011.
“I’ve talked with current and former players, including good friend Nino Musitelli, about the Americans organization and heard nothing but great things about playing in Allen,” Maini said. “I’m told the fans are loyal and passionate about the team and the community is a great place to live. I  can’t wait to get back on the ice again after a great summer.”
On Wednesday, the Americans announced they have signed top line forward Scott Howes to a contract. Howes is a former playoff MVP in the ECHL, with the Alaska Aces in 2011. “Having a playoff MVP gives us the leadership and experience that is vital to what we want to ultimately achieve as an organization,” Americans Coach Steve Martinson said. “We are excited that Scott looked at what the Americans have to offer from quality of life to AHL opportunity and choose to sign here in Allen Texas.”   Howes comes to Allen after playing in 49 games last season for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League. In those 49 games, Howes netted 11 goals, along with 11 assists, for 22 points. Prior to that, he skated in six games for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL, where he scored four points in six games before being called up to Bridgeport. Howes had one other American Hockey League stint in 2008-2009, where he played in five games for the Manitoba Moose.   The native of Toronto, Ontario, played his junior hockey in the QMJHL. Howes skated in 54 games for the Drummondville Voltigeurs from 2006-2008. He played one season with the Saint John Sea Dogs, where he scored a career-high 42 goals and 70 points in 59 games.
In other news, former Allen forward Jim McKenzie has reportedly signed with the Trenton Titans (ECHL).
Arizona Sundogs
On September 4th, the Sundogs announced today that they have signed forward Jake Hauswirth and defenseman Keith Wynn for the upcoming season. Hauswirth, 24, joins the team for his fourth pro season. He spent most of last season with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, suiting up for 24 games and netting 16 points (6 G, 10 A). He was later called up to the Texas Stars (AHL), where he played 19 games and had one assist. He concluded his season in the ECHL with the Idaho Steelheads, playing in nine games with three (1 G, 2 A).
In 2010-11, Hauswirth split his time between the South Carolina Stingrays and the Cincinnati Cyclones, both of the ECHL. The 6′ 5″, 215-pound Hougton, Wisconsin native collected 18 points (12 G, 6 A) in 49 games. “While playing for Rio Grande I was fortunate to play a few games in Prescott Valley and the town was wonderful,” Hauswirth said. “It seemed like a great hockey community and the fans were very welcoming.” Wynn, 25, spent his rookie season with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL where he saw action in 45 games. Prior to turning pro, the Orleans, Ontario native spent his collegiate career playing for St. Thomas University where he played in 99 games and had 13 points (1 G, 12 A).
“I’m looking forward to working hard for the team this season and helping them achieve our common goal and that’s getting back to the playoffs,” Wynn said.

In other news, former Sundogs forward Kyle Hood has reportedly signed with the Colorado Eagles (ECHL) and defenseman Shawn Morton-Boutin has signed with the Stockton Thunder (ECHL).
Bloomington Blaze
On September 5th, the Blaze announced that they have forward Matt Pierce for the upcoming campaign.
Pierce played with the Evansville IceMen during the last two seasons. He tallied 15 goals with 13 assists for 28 points while playing in every game last season. The 15 goals equaled his single season scoring high at the AA level. The 6′ 0″, 205-pound native of Arnprior, Ontario will be entering his sixth professional season.
“Mathew has been a consistent and effective player throughout his career and in the Central Hockey League,” Blaze coach Brian Gratz said. “I look for Matt to contribute in many areas this season.”
Prior to joining the IceMen, Pierce played for the Texas Brahmas and the Mississippi RiverKings as well as the Charlotte Checkers (ECHL) and Knoxville Ice Bears (SPHL).
On Tuesday, the Blaze announced that they have signed the Federal Hockey League’s reigning Most Valuable Player, Jeff Winchester.
Winchester is a 6′ 2″, 205-pound defenseman who begins his eighth professional season in October. He registered 83 points (20 G, 63 A) in 49 games last season with two FHL clubs (1000 Islands and New Jersey), earning him MVP honors in the A-level circuit. He is coming off his best scoring season.
Winchester played four seasons at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, followed by AA-level stops at San Diego, Dayton and Columbia of the ECHL and Arizona and Corpus Christi of the Central Hockey League. He has also played parts of three seasons in the A-level Southern Professional Hockey League in Huntsville and Mississippi as well as parts of two seasons in Holland. The 30-year-old Winchester is a native of Dalhousie, New Brunswick.
“Jeff has been a very productive defenseman on each team he has played for,” Blaze coach Brian Gratz said. “He has been a part of three single-A championship teams over the past three seasons, including being named MVP last season in the FHL. I look forward to seeing his success at other levels transfer to the Central Hockey League.”
Denver Cutthroats
On September 7th, the Cutthroats announced they have signed forwards Mario Boilard and Tim Kraus to their roster for the upcoming 2012-13 season. The team has also added former pro player Jeff Sirkka to their hockey operations department as a team scout. “Both of these signings add good character and depth to our locker room,” Cutthroats Head Coach Derek Armstrong said. “Mario Boilard brings an element of toughness and played for a winning team last year. Tim Krauss has a productive track record from the Western Hockey League and into his time spent in the ECHL.” The 22-year-old Boilard will begin his second pro season after appearing in 46 games for the CHL’s Evansville Icemen last year. The Sainte-Justine, Quebec native racked up 193 penalty minutes in his rookie campaign and chipped in six points along the way (3 G, 3 A). Prior to turning pro the 6′ 2″, 200-pound Boilard played a four-year junior career in Quebec and Alberta. Kraus, 25, will suit up for his second year in the CHL after an injury-shortened 2011-12 season with the league’s Wichita Thunder and Dayton Gems. The Garden Grove, California native spent the first three years of his pro career in the ECHL tallying 123 points in 197 games (35 G, 88 A) between the Ontario Reign, Victoria Salmon Kings, and Las Vegas Wranglers. The 6’0″, 185-pound Kraus is a five-year product of the WHL where he recorded 226 points in 306 games. In 2002, Sirkka (SUR-kuh) completed a 12-year pro hockey career that included being a member of the International Hockey League’s 1994-95 Denver Grizzlies championship squad where he played alongside Cutthroats Head Coach Derek Armstrong. Sirkka appeared in 771 games between the IHL and American Hockey League, amassing 1,407 penalty minutes. “(Sirkka) was a former teammate of mine who also calls Denver home and I trust his opinion when it comes to hockey,” Armstrong said. “On the ice he brought toughness, grit, and character and those are three things we want on our hockey club here. He has a lot of knowledge to pass along to our players and our guys will enjoy working with him throughout this season.”
Last week, the Cutthroats announced they have signed defenseman Sean Zimmerman and rookie forward J.J. Crew to their roster.
Zimmerman, 25, will return to play in his hometown of Denver, Colorado after spending the last five years in the American Hockey League while the 23-year-old Crew begins his professional career after a four-year run at Western Michigan University. “Both of these signings are great for our team,” Cutthroats Head Coach Derek Armstrong said. “Sean is an impact defenseman who we expect a lot from this season. He brings good size, AHL experience, he’s played in the CHL before and he can anchor our blueline defensively. J.J. just finished his career at a good program in Western Michigan,” Armstrong continued. “I played for his head coach, Andy Murray, in the NHL. Andy speaks very highly of him, and I trust Andy’s opinion given his knowledge of the game. J.J. provides us with some energy and depth up front.” The 6′ 2″, 220-pound Zimmerman has appeared in 274 AHL games with six different teams over his playing career. In 2008-09, he also appeared in 20 CHL games with the Arizona Sundogs, registering three assists. Zimmerman was a sixth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in National Hockey League’s 2005 Entry Draft. He most recently spent the past two seasons in the Anaheim Ducks system, playing in 63 games for the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, scoring a goal and nine assists. Prior to turning pro, Zimmerman played four years of major-junior hockey with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League, appearing in 270 games. The 5′ 9″, 170-pound Crew recorded 55 points (20 G, 35 A in 133 games over a four-year career at Western Michigan University. The Placentia, California native is a junior-product of the USHL, where he tallied 24 points (9 G, 15 A) in 69 games for the Lincoln Stars.

Missouri Mavericks

On September 5th, the Quad City Mallards announced they have signed defensemen Dustin DeGagne and Chris Bailer . 
DeGagne, 27, started last season in the Netherlands with the Turnhout White Caps before returning to North America in January with the CHL’s Dayton Gems. The Winnipeg native scored four times and totaled 15 points in 16 games with the White Caps and picked up a pair of assists in 25 games for the Gems.    “Dustin has played well for both Dayton and Bloomington over the last two seasons,” Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski said. “He’s shown he knows what it takes to compete in the CHL, so he could be a very good asset for our defense corps.”   The 6′ 0″, 195-pound DeGagne is making his return to the Quad Cities after first skating for the Mallards in the 2010 preseason. DeGagne spent the 2010-11 regular season – his rookie campaign – with Bloomington, scoring a pair of goals and producing nine points in 55 games with the PrairieThunder.   DeGagne played three seasons of college hockey at St. Scholastica after transferring from Union College following his freshman year. In 2008-09, DeGagne helped the Saints reach the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time in school history. He scored four goals and recorded 26 points in 70 career games at St. Scholastica.   Bailer, a 24-year old rookie, joins the Mallards after spending the last four seasons at Sacred Heart University. The 6′ 2″, 200-pound Wetaskiwin, Alberta, native picked up one assist in 30 games with the Pioneers last season. Bailer, who skated in a total of 99 games over the course of his Sacred Heart career, was a four-time Atlantic Hockey Association All-Academic team selection. “Chris is a guy who has good size and isn’t afraid to get in there and do the dirty work, whether that means taking the body, blocking shots or whatever else the team needs,” Ruskowski said. “After a solid college career he’s looking forward to making the most of the opportunity to play professionally.”
The following day, the Mallards announced they have re-signed defenseman Matt Duffy . 
“I’m excited that Matt’s returning to the Mallards,” Ruskowski said. “He’s a solid, steady defenseman who can also chip in offensively. He’s a guy we’re going to depend on a lot this season.”
Duffy, 26, last season scored three goals and totaled 11 points in 21 games after joining the Mallards in January. Duffy rebounded well in the Quad Cities after mononucleosis kept him off the ice for the first half of the 2011-12 campaign.   The 6′ 2″, 201-pound Duffy was originally selected by the Florida Panthers in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft. After a four-year collegiate career at the University of Maine, Duffy broke into professional hockey at the tail end of the 2008-09 season, seeing time with both the AHL’s Rochester Americans and the ECHL’s Florida Everblades. The following year, in his first full pro campaign, Duffy produced five goals and 14 points in 52 games with the Everblades and scored once and recorded five points in 11 games with the Americans.    Duffy split the bulk of the 2010-11 season between the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings and Gwinnett Gladiators and also played two games for the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. The Windham, Maine, native scored four goals and totaled 10 points in 56 ECHL games.    Duffy played 165 career games at Maine, scoring 21 goals and notching 43 points. He went to the Frozen Four with the Black Bears each of his first two years at Orono. He enjoyed his most productive season as a collegian when he scored seven goals and totaled 17 points in 39 games as a senior in 2008-09.
On Tuesday, the Mallards announced they have signed right wing Mike Stinziani . 
“Mike’s a promising young forward who’s shown a lot of skill and a lot of ability as a playmaker,” Ruskowski said. “Last season he was third point scoring in Canadian university hockey so I’m looking forward to seeing him contribute to our club this season.” Stinziani, 23, scored 43 points (12 G, 31 A) in 27 games with Concordia University last year. The 5′ 9″, 205-pound Montreal native finished third in assists as well as in points in the Canadian university ranks. For his efforts, Stinziani was named to the 2011-12 Ontario University Athletics East Second All-Star Team. Stinziani first took the ice for the Stingers in 2010-11, scoring eight goals and ringing up 17 points in just 12 games.    Stinziani headed to Concordia after spending five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He scored 58 times and recorded 148 points in 269 career junior games with the Gatineau Olympiques, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Chicoutimi Sagueneens and Prince Edward Island Rocket. In 2008, Stinziani helped the Olympiques to the QMJHL President’s Cup title. 
On Wednesday, the Mallards announced they have signed forward Patrik Levesque to their roster.
Levesque, 28, returns for a second stint with the Mallards. The Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, native led Quad City in goals and points in 2009-10 and also played for the Mallards at the start of the 2010-11 campaign. Levesque last season played three games with the Tulsa Oilers, for whom he scored twice and totaled five points before being sidelined by injury.    “Patrik’s a proven, productive player in this league and someone who obviously had success playing for the Mallards the first time around,” Ruskowski said. “With the production and also the spark he can provide, he’s a very good addition to our lineup this season.”   In his first season with the Mallards, the 6′ 2″, 200-pound Levesque not only led the team with 30 goals but also ranked fifth in the International Hockey League in goal scoring. Likewise, his 67 points not only topped the Mallards but also were also good for ninth in the IHL. Levesque also piled up 140 penalty minutes while playing in each of Quad City’s 76 games in 2009-10. Levesque played the first ten games of the 2010-11 campaign with the Mallards before being traded to the Mississippi River Kings. He finished that season with 17 goals and 36 points in 59 games.    “I’m really excited to be coming back to the Mallards,” Levesque said. “I had some of the best times of my career in the Quad Cities and I got to do it in front of the best fans I’ve ever played for, so I can’t wait to get back on the ice.”   Now approaching his tenth season, Levesque has totaled 88 goals and 147 assists for 235 points in 349 career games with 15 teams, including six – Corpus Christi, Amarillo, Lubbock, Tulsa, Mississippi and Quad City – in the CHL. Levesque played three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League – for Sherbrooke and Drummondville – before beginning his pro odyssey.
On Thursday, the Mallards announced they have re-signed right wing Jason Kostadine .   
Kostadine, 28, returns for a third season with the Mallards after scoring five goals and totaling 17 points while also finished fourth in the CHL with 189 penalty minutes last year. Kostadine played in each of the Mallards’ 66 regular season games in each of his first two campaigns with the club.     “Jason brings plenty of character, toughness and work ethic every time he steps onto the ice and at the same time provides a veteran presence in the dressing room,” Ruskowski said. “The qualities Jason brings to the table are vital to any successful team.”   Kostadine first suited up for the Mallards in 2010-11, when he scored three times and added five assists and also spent 149 minutes in the penalty box. The 6′ 2″, 210-pound St. Louis native has registered at least 135 minutes in penalties each of the last five years and in seven of his first eight professional seasons. Kostadine first joined the Mallards after playing against Quad City for the International Hockey League’s Port Huron Icehawks in 2009-10.    Before returning to North America with the Icehawks, Kostadine skated in Britain’s Elite Ice Hockey League with the Hull Stingrays in 2008-09. He spent his first four years in the ECHL, where he suited up for the Texas Wildcatters, Stockton Thunder, Reading Royals, Augusta Lynx and Bakersfield Condors. As a rookie with the Wildcatters in 2004-05, he set a career high for penalty minutes in a season by piling up 224 minutes in the box.  Over the course of his career, Kostadine has scored 35 goals, produced 91 points and run up 1,289 penalty minutes in 470 games. Before turning pro, Kostadine played for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Hull Olympiques for two seasons and completed his junior career by taking to the ice with the Quebec Remparts in 2002-03. He topped 200 penalty minutes in each of his final two junior seasons and registered 18 goals, 54 points and a total of 605 PIM’s in 195 career games in the QMJHL. Kostadine was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the eighth round (251st overall) of the 2002 National Hockey League Draft .
Rapid City Rush
There was no news of note from the Rush organization this week (or last).
Texas Brahmas
There was no news of note from the Brahmas organization this week (or last). Of course, the