Sunday, January 31, 2010

Rats trapped by Bears, 8-3

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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Rats top Amerks, 4-3

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Rats beat Sound Tigers in shootout, 2-1

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Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Officially a River Rats legend

Assistant coach and team legend Geordie Kinnear is the subject of a piece in today's Simcoe Reformer. 
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Chatter on the future

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Rats weekly

The Rats' website has the regular weekly recap.
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Monday, January 25, 2010

Peters returns

As promised by Carolina Hurricanes' coach Paul Maurice, goaltender Justin Peters today was reassigned to Albany, allowing him to rejoin the Rats and travel to Bridgeport for Tuesday's contest against the Sound Tigers. 

Peters backed up Canes' starter Cam Ward for one game on Sunday while netminder Manny Legace sat out with pink eye. 
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McBain putting pieces in place

Rookie defenseman Jamie McBain talks with NHL.com correspondent Lindsay Kramer about staying healthy and refining his game at the professional level. 
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Sunday, January 24, 2010

Peters called up

The Carolina Hurricanes today recalled goaltender Justin Peters from the Albany River Rats. 

Canes' back-up netminder Manny Legace is suffering from pink eye. Legace was pulled yesterday after experiencing vision problems and significant swelling.

Peters returns to Carolina for the third time, but has yet to make his NHL debut. He will back up Cam Ward this afternoon as Carolina takes on the Boston Bruins. 

Peters ranks among the top goalies in the AHL with a 2.38 GAA and .922 SV% in 30 contests with Albany this season. 

The recall of Peters leaves the River Rats with just one healthy goaltender, veteran Mike Morrison, who has spent most of this season with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL.

Netminder Mike Murphy remains sidelined with a hip injury. 

The Rats' next game is scheduled for Tuesday in Bridgeport, while the Hurricanes play Wednesday against the Rangers in New York.

The Rats will need to sign a new goalie should Peters and Murphy remain unavailable. 

UPDATE: Canes' coach Paul Maurice tells the Raleigh News & Observer that Peters will be reassigned to Albany in time for the Rats' next game on Tuesday night in Bridgeport. 
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AHL Pres 'confident' Albany will have team

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Rats take tense win over Phantoms, 3-2

Casey Borer
(Photo by Jennifer Bock)
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Saturday, January 23, 2010

Latest news

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Rats fall in OT to Tigers, 2-1

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Friday, January 22, 2010

Rats sold?

Still waiting on an official announcement, but it looks like the River Rats are in fact the franchise that will be moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. If true, Albany will need to import an entirely new franchise to keep AHL hockey in town. The Albany Times Union has the latest.

UPDATES: Rats' CEO Garen Szablewski provides us a little hope via the Albany Business Review. Another update at the Albany Times Union. More from the Schenectady Daily Gazette. 
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Thursday, January 21, 2010

News & Notes

  • The Carolina Hurricanes next season will move their AHL affiliate to Charlotte, North Carolina. Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer says "it's a go." The River Rats will need to find a new parent club to continue operations in 2010-2011. 
  • Defenseman Casey Borer has been cleared for game action and may return as early as tomorrow night. Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the news.
  • Coach Jeff Daniels, defenseman Bryan Rodney and goaltender Justin Peters chat with Bill Cain at the Schenectady Daily Gazette about preparing for the second half of the season. 
  • Permanent NHL spots could soon be available for Pat Dwyer, Jiri Tlusty and Brett Carson. Paul Branecky at Tracking the Storm says trades are in the works. 
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Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Rats' future with Canes uncertain

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union ponders the future of the Rats/Canes relationship. 
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010

TU reporting from Portland

Follow on-the-spot coverage from the AHL All-Star Classic at the Albany Times Union blog Hockey Spoken Here. 
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Monday, January 18, 2010

Bowman returned; Zanoski released

The Carolina Hurricanes today reassigned rookie forward Drayson Bowman to the River Rats, while Albany released Tom Zanoski from his professional tryout contract. 

Canes' forwards Chad LaRose and Sergei Samsonov are both expected to return to the NHL line-up tonight after missing several games with injuries.

Bowman returns to the Rats after making his big league debut with the Hurricanes on Saturday night. Bowman skated 15 shifts, registering 10:23 of ice-time and one shot on goal.

Bowman has eight goals and seven assists in 26 games with Albany this season. He has goals in his last two contests with the Rats.

Tom Zanoski will return to the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL after playing two games with the Rats this past Friday and Saturday. Zanoski was held scoreless with Albany, but picked up three shots on goal and two penalty minutes.
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Rats weekly

The Rats' website has the regular weekly recap. 
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Peters, Rodney set to represent Rats

Justin Peters and Bryan Rodney are off to Portland for the AHL All-Star Classic. Albany's two representatives talk with Chris Fitz Gerald at the Troy Record. 

Watch the skills competition on Time Warner 3 tonight at 8 pm and the All-Star game on the same channel tomorrow night at 6 pm.
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Flik to stick

Coach Jeff Daniels tells the Albany Times Union that forward Jacob Micflikier is here to stay. Micflikier will have one last hoorah in his old league this week at the ECHL All-Star contest. 
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Rats ruin Bruins, 4-1

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New Canes in fast lane

Albany prospects talk about their NHL experience with Chip Alexander at the Raleigh News & Observer. 
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Sunday, January 17, 2010

Boychuk is back

The Carolina Hurricanes today reassigned forward Zach Boychuk to the Albany River Rats.

Canes' forwards Sergei Samsonov and Chad LaRose are close to recovering from injuries and at least one will play tomorrow against Tampa Bay.

In nine games with the Hurricanes this season, Boychuk has one assist and averaged 10:43 ice-time. He was recalled for the third time this season on January 5, but played a limited role and was held scoreless. 

Ranking among the top rookies in the AHL, Boychuk is currently the Rats' second highest leading scorer with 24 points (11 G, 13 A) in 34 games.

The return of Boychuk gives the Rats 12 healthy forwards for the first time in more than two weeks. 
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Rats beat Sound Tigers in OT, 4-3

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Saturday, January 16, 2010

Albany spark plug making his case

Jacob Micflikier is the centerpiece of a well written article by Jesse Eisenberg at AHL On the Beat. 
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Karmanos already looking ahead

Peter Karmonos, owner of the Carolina Hurricanes, talks with the Raleigh News & Observer about his plans for transitioning the team. 
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Rats recall Morrison

The Albany River Rats today recalled veteran goaltender Mike Morrison from the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. 

Morrison returns to Albany for the second time this season, having served as a back-up to Mike Murphy in November when Justin Peters was in Carolina. Now, with Murphy injured, Morrison will back up Peters. 

After 22 games with the Everblades this season, Morrison has a 9-10-3 record with one shutout, a 2.89 goals against average, and .899 save percentage.

The 30-year-old netminder has played for teams in every corner of North America and has even spent time playing overseas. The University of Maine of graduate has seen time in the NHL, AHL, ECHL and Swedish and Slovenian leagues, including a rather successful 21-game ride with the Edmonton Oilers in 2005-06. 
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Rats romped by Bears, 10-4

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Friday, January 15, 2010

Rats sign Zanoski; Canes swap Bowman, Samson

The Albany River Rats today signed forward Tom Zanoski to a professional tryout contract, while the parent Carolina Hurricanes recalled rookie Drayson Bowman and reassigned Jerome Samson.

Zanoski, 24, is the second highest leading scorer on the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL with 18 goals and 15 assists in 25 games. 

Zanoski recently finished his first AHL stint, registering an assist in eights contests with the Binghamton Senators in December and January. 

Zanoski checks in at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds and comes to Albany with two seasons of professional experience under his belt. He started his career in 2007 after two years at Dalhousie University and four junior seasons in the Ontario Hockey League.

Zanoski has skated in a total of 113 ECHL games, picking up 42 goals and 43 assists. 

Zanoski hails from Brampton, Ontario, the same home town as Chris Terry.

Drayson Bowman heads to the NHL for the first time since starting his career with Albany in October. He will likely make his debut tomorrow night in Raleigh against the Atlanta Thrashers. 

Bowman has eight goals and seven assists after 26 games with Albany this season. The rookie sniper returned to action in late December after missing a month with an injured knee. 

Jerome Samson rejoins the Rats after playing five games with the Hurricanes. He was recalled on December 5 and notched an assist during his first NHL shift on January 7 against the Nashville Predators. 

Samson leads the River Rats with 30 points (13 G, 17 A) in 38 games this season and tops the league with 169 shots on goal.
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News & Notes

  • The River Rats have a busy schedule ahead of them, Justin Peters and Bryan Rodney in particular. After the Rats finish playing three games in three nights this weekend, Peters and Rodney will head off to the AHL All-Star Classic in Portland, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Albany's two All-Star representatives talk with Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union.  
  • Jacob Micflikier may be only 5-foot-8, but the solid winger packs a punch from both ends of the ice. Micflikier is featured today in the Troy Record. 
  • Chris Fitz Gerlad at the Troy Record grades the River Rats' performance midway through the season.
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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Reed back, but Rats still short

Despite the return of Harrison Reed from the ECHL, the River Rats will likely be short on forwards heading into a three-game weekend. 

Reed rejoined the Rats today after registering three shots on goal last night with the Florida Everblades in a shootout win over the Reading Royals.

On the other side of the coin, Pat Dwyer, Zach Boychuk, Jiri Tlusty and Jerome Samson all remain with the Carolina Hurricanes. 

Moreover, Rob Hennigar is out indefinitely with a broken hand, Michael Ryan is curbed with a lower-body injury and Matthew Pistilli is sidelined with a concussion sustained last Saturday.

Defenseman Jonathan Paiement will likely continue playing the role of two-way winger, but even with Paiement up front, Albany will be limited to just 11 forwards. 

A tryout deal for an ECHL skater could be in the works. The Rats may also consider calling up a defenseman and putting Tim Conboy at wing, where the rugged blueliner was positioned in Carolina. 
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Borer takes another step forward

Defenseman Casey Borer, who suffered a broken neck in the Rats' bus crash last February and underwent surgery to repair damage in September, has been cleared for contact at practice. Chris Fitz Gerald at the Troy Record has the news. 
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Q&A with Geordie Kinnear

Albany River Rats legend Geordie Kinnear chats with Bill Cain at the Schenectady Daily Gazette. 
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Future may be now for Canes

Good article on the call-ups in Carolina today in the Raleigh News & Observer. 
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News & Notes

  • The first three inductees to the River Rats' new Hall of Fame have been announced. The honors go the Geordie Kinnear, Steve Sullivan and the late John Cunniff. Read more at the team's website and the Albany Times Union. 
  • The Rats have been quite busy around the community, visiting schools, hospitals, hockey rinks and other locations around the Capital District. Check out some photos here. Mike Murphy and Jamie McBain will be signing autographs tomorrow at 4 pm at the Half Moon Mobile Mart on Guideboard Road in Clifton Park. 
  • Forward Michael Ryan, who was injured in a game on New Years Eve, will still be out this weekend. Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the story. Defenseman Jonathan Paiement may have to continue playing up front if the Rats do not soon receive reinforcements. 
  • Six former River Rats will again be in the line-up for the Carolina Hurricanes tonight as the team faces off against the Red Wings in Detroit. There were hopes earlier in the week that injured forwards Chad LaRose, Erik Cole and Sergei Samsonov would be able play, but coach Paul Maurice now says all three are "a ways away" from returning. The Raleigh News & Observer has the story. 
  • The AHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition will be televised next week live on Time Warner Cable 3. The skills contest will air Monday at 8 pm and the game will be on Tuesday at 6 pm. A full listing of air-dates and locations is available here.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Dwyer nets game-winner for Canes

Pat Dwyer last night netted the game-winning goal for the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-2 road victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

With the contest tied late in the third period, the Albany captain cycled the puck down low to Jiri Tlusty, who brought it back to the point for Joni Pitkanen. Dwyer cut across the net just as Pitkanen was shooting and redirected the puck in mid-air with precision.

Dwyer, who was recalled to Carolina on December 15, now has three goals and two assists in 21 games with the Hurricanes this season. Linemate Jiri Tlusty has a goal and three assists after nine games.

Dwyer and Tlusty each stand a chance of earning a permanent spot with the big club should space soon open up.

Brandon Sutter, who made the team earlier this season, also scored last night, driving home a rebound in the second period to tie the game at 2-2.

The Hurricanes have won three in a row and are now only four points shy of pulling out of last place in the Eastern Conference, largely thanks to the efforts of players recalled from Albany. 

Watch highlights of last night's game here. 
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

News & Notes

  • The Rats' regular weekly round-up is available at the team's website. 
  • Forward Harrison Reed today was temporarily reassigned to the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. Reed will play for the Blades tomorrow night and likely rejoin the Rats this weekend. 
  • Injured Carolina Hurricanes' forwards Sergei Samsonov, Erik Cole, and Chad LaRose are back at practice. All three accompanied the team on the road this week and coach Paul Maurice told the Raleigh News & Observer that at least one may be ready to play Thursday in Detroit. The Canes are in Toronto tonight to face the Maple Leafs. 
  • Some of the River Rats recently called up to the Hurricanes may never come home. Canes' GM Jim Rutherford says full-time openings may soon be available. "Things are starting to open up now as far as moving players," Rutherford told the Raleigh News & Observer. "It's not like we're giving up on the second half, but there are some players we are developing who are closer to playing here. We won't just move someone out just to move someone out. We will try to build assets, whether it's trading for a player or for draft picks or getting a spot open for a player from Albany."
  • Rob Hennigar was recently in Florida to have a specialist look at the hand he injured on December 6 against Wilkes-Barre. He is still weeks away from playing, but stopped in at a Blades' practice to see his old teammates. The Naples Daily News keeps us informed. 
  • Forward Milan Gajic of the Florida Everblades is having trouble recovering from a leg injury sustained back in early November. Gajic would now likely be skating with the River Rats had he not been sidelined. Gajic is pitching in as an acting assistant coach with the Blades and proudly tells the Naples Daily News that the team is 7-3 with him behind the bench. 
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Monday, January 11, 2010

Rats lead Canes to victory

Albany alumni yesterday led the Carolina Hurricanes to a decisive 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. 

Defenseman Brett Carson picked up his first NHL goal, while Brandon Sutter, Pat Dwyer, and Jiri Tlusty earned an assist each, helping the Canes to their second straight win. 

Brandon Sutter started things off for Carolina in the second period by dishing a near-perfect pass directly in front of the net to Tom Kostopoulos. The goal squashed the Senators' momentum, as it came just 40 seconds after Ottawa had taken a 1-0 lead.

Sutter now has 17 points (10 G, 7 A) in 35 games since earning a full-time NHL spot earlier this season. 

Later in the second, Jiri Tlusty made a play to Pat Dwyer, who then set up veteran captain Rod Brind'Amour for a one-timer that turned out to be the game-winner.

Tlusty now has a goal and two assists after eight games with the Canes this year, while Dwyer has two goals and two assists in 19 games. 

Carolina took a 3-1 lead in the third on a Brett Carson point shot that found its way through traffic to give the well-rounded blueliner his first NHL tally.

Carson now has a goal and three assists in 16 contests with the Canes this season.

Watch highlights from the game here. 
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Sunday, January 10, 2010

Rats tame Wolf Pack, 3-1

River Rats celebrate 3-1 victory over Hartford
(Photo by Jennifer Bock)
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Saturday, January 9, 2010

Cavosie released; Canes lose Ruutu

The Albany River Rats today released forward Marc Cavosie from his professional tryout contract, while the Carolina Hurricanes announced that forward Tuomo Ruutu will be sidelined for about two weeks with an injury sustained last night in a fight with Darcy Tucker. 

Cavosie, a Cohoes native and former RPI star, was in town for two games and picked up an assist on Wednesday setting up Mike Angelidis for a goal against Adirondack. Cavosie will head back to the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

The release of Cavosie raises questions about the availability of forwards for tonight's home game against Hartford. 

Even with the temporary signing of Cavosie, the Rats had been short one forward and were forced to skate defenseman Jonathan Paiement at left wing. 

Unless injured players Michael Ryan and Brad Herauf are both ready to go, the River Rats will again be short up front.

The Carolina Hurricanes currently have six former River Rats on the NHL roster, including forwards Brandon Sutter, Pat Dwyer, Zach Boychuk, Jiri Tlusty, Jerome Samson and defenseman Brett Carson. The injury to Ruutu will likely extend the stay of one of the forwards. 

Eric Staal, who was given a leave of absence following the death of his sister-in-law, may be available for the Canes' next game tomorrow, but if not, Carolina will need yet another player. Tim Conboy, who usually skates up front with the Hurricanes, is a likely candidate. 

The Rats will have five days off after tonight's contest, providing some breathing room and recuperation time for players at all levels. 
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Rats take shootout thriller, 3-2

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Peters named All-Star

Goaltender Justin Peters will join the Canadian All-Stars at the AHL Classic on January 19 in Portland. Bill Cain at the Schenectady Daily Gazette has the story. 
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Friday, January 8, 2010

News & Notes

  • Jerome Samson tallied an assist during his NHL debut last night with the Carolina Hurricanes in Nashville. In familiar fashion, Samson, on his very first shift, controlled the play behind the net, wrapped the puck around, and threw it on goal for captain Rod Brind'Amour, who slammed home the rebound. Samson registered 7:10 of ice-time and had a team-high four shots on goal. He was also assessed a hooking penalty in the first period, but it was nullified 11 seconds later by a Nashville infraction. Carolina ended up dropping the lead and losing 4-2. Steve Sullivan, who started his career with Albany in 1994, netted the game-winner. Watch the highlights here. The Canes play again tonight at home against the Colorado Avalanche. Samson is the centerpiece of an article at the Raleigh News & Observer. 
  • Rookie forward Chris Terry is the subject of an article in today's Troy Record. 
  • Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the latest on the Rats' fluctuating roster. 
  • We are told goaltender Justin Peters will be donning a new "Pete-Dawg"-themed mask later this month. He is still deciding on a final design. 
  • Defenseman Aaron Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes is no longer eligible for reassignment. Ward skated last night in his tenth game since clearing waivers in December.
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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Samson to make NHL debut

Jerome Samson
(Photo by Jennifer Bock)

Jerome Samson will make his NHL debut tonight in Nashville after being recalled by the Carolina Hurricanes for the first time since joining the organization in 2007.

Samson has impressed fans, coaches and teammates alike this season with a regular display of offensive talent and determination. He leads the River Rats in scoring with 30 points (13 G, 17 A) in 38 games and tops the league with 169 shots on goal. 

Samson has skated in a total of 180 AHL contests, all with Albany. He has totaled 57 goals and 68 assists at the professional level. 

Samson was signed by Carolina as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He spent the previous three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and put up 99 points in 71 games during his final amateur year.

Samson will join a Hurricanes' team that is already loaded with Albany alumni. Brandon Sutter, Pat Dwyer, Zach Boychuk, Brett Carson and Jiri Tlusty will all be in the line-up this evening as the Canes face off against the Predators in Nashville.
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Rats upstaged by Phantoms in OT, 4-3

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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Rats sign Marc Cavosie

The Albany River Rats today announced the signing of forward Marc Cavosie to a professional tryout contract. 

The 28-year-old Cohoes-native and former RPI star joins the Rats for the second time of his career. Cavosie skated with Albany on a 25-game tryout contract at the end of 2007-08 and the beginning of 2008-09.

Cavosie, who holds more than seven years of professional experience, has skated in a total of 474 contests in the AHL, ECHL and Swedish leagues since 2002. 

Cavosie has four goals and eight assists in 15 games this season with the Reading Royals of the ECHL. He spent the beginning of the year in the AHL with the Lake Erie Monsters, notching two assists after 16 games. 

The six-foot-tall, 202-pound checking forward is known for battling along the boards and crashing the net.
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Boychuk, Tlusty called back up

The Carolina Hurricanes yesterday recalled forwards Zach Boychuk and Jiri Tlusty for the second time in less than a week. 

Both players were returned to Albany on Saturday, but the parent club was forced to summon the youngsters again due to a string of nagging injuries. 

Forwards Chad LaRose, Scott Walker, Sergei Samsonov and Erik Cole all remain sidelined. 

This marks the third call-up of the season for Boychuk, who picked up an assist in his first three games with Carolina this year. 

Boychuk performed exceptionally well with the Canes this past Saturday against the New York Rangers. He was held scoreless, but chipped in defensively and was the driving force behind several offensive opportunities. 

Tlusty also returns to Carolina for the third time this season. He has a goal and an assist in three games with the Canes this year. Tlusty earned the primary assist on the Canes' only regulation goal Saturday.

The call-up of Boychuk and Tlusty leaves the River Rats with a limited number of forwards. 

Rob Hennigar is still out with an injury sustained in early December; Brad Herauf suffered a lower-body injury on Saturday; Michael Ryan has been out with an injury since last Wednesday; Nicolas Blanchard has one game remaining on a three-game suspension; and Matt Schepke was released Monday from a professional tryout contract. 

The Rats will need reinforcements for tonight's contest against Adirondack if Ryan and Herauf are unable to play.
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

News & Notes

  • The River Rats released rookie Matt Schepke from his professional tryout contract. 
  • Forward Brad Herauf is questionable for tomorrow's game at home against Adirondack. Herauf left the ice Saturday with a lower-body injury after absorbing a hit along the boards.
  • Forwards Chad LaRose, Erik Cole and Sergei Samsonov of the Carolina Hurricanes remain day-to-day with injuries. Unless two of three are healthy to play in the Canes' next contest on Thursday, Carolina will be looking for help from Albany.
  • Canes' forward Scott Walker, who sustained an upper-body injury on New Years Eve, is scheduled to undergo surgery this week. He is expected to miss at least a month. The Raleigh News & Observer has the news.
  • Defenseman Joe Corvo of the Carolina Hurricanes, who suffered a severe leg laceration in late November, is recovering ahead of schedule. Read more at Tracking the Storm.  
  • Carolina D-man Aaron Ward is scheduled to play Thursday in his tenth game since clearing waivers. After 10 games of action, Ward will be ineligible for reassignment.
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Sunday, January 3, 2010

Rats lose to Crunch, 6-3

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Saturday, January 2, 2010

Boychuk, Tlusty returned

The Carolina Hurricanes today reassigned forwards Zach Boychuk and Jiri Tlusty to the Albany River Rats. 

Both players were recalled for today's afternoon contest against the New York Rangers. Each had several memorable moments and displayed few mistakes, helping the Canes to a 2-1 overtime victory. 

Zach Boychuk demonstrated his skill-sets well, creating opportunities on the forecheck and hustling back to chip in defensively during his 10:15 of ice-time.

Tlusty was on the ice for 7:19 and picked up an assist after Tom Kostopoulos batted in a blocked shot Tlusty had thrown on the net.
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Rats sign Matt Schepke, recall Pistilli

The Albany River Rats yesterday signed rookie forward Matt Schepke to a professional tryout contract and also recalled first-year winger Matthew Pistilli from the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. 

With Albany forwards Michael Ryan and Rob Hennigar curbed with injuries, Zach Boychuk and Jiri Tlusty called up to the Carolina Hurricanes, and Nicolas Blanchard suspended, the River Rats needed to find two skaters on short notice for tonight's contest in Syracuse. 

Schepke, known for his quick shot and two-way play, comes from the Charlotte Checkers, division rival of the Florida Everblades in the ECHL. 

The 24-year-old Michigan State graduate has 10 goals, 7 assists and a plus-10 rating in 28 games with Charlotte this season. He was recently named an ECHL all-star. (Watch a brief interview with Schepke about 1:49 into this video clip.)

Schepke led Michigan State in scoring last season with 14 goals and 10 assists in 38 games. He joined the Checkers after graduating and made his AHL debut with the Hartford Wolf Pack last April, registering three shots and a plus-1 rating in one game. 

Pistilli joins the River Rats for the third time this season. The hard-working two-way winger has three goals, three assists and a plus-2 rating in 25 games with Albany this year. (Read a recent interview with Pistilli here.)

Pistilli was reassigned from the Rats to the Florida Everblades on December 27 and recorded an assist with the Blades on New Years Eve. The undrafted rookie, signed by the Hurricanes during the offseason, has a goal and an assist in six games with Florida this season.
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Friday, January 1, 2010

Boychuk, Tlusty called up

The Carolina Hurricanes today recalled forwards Zach Boychuk and Jiri Tlusty from the Albany River Rats. 

Carolina forwards Scott Walker and Sergei Samsonov were sidelined on Thursday with upper-body injuries. Both are listed as day-to-day and are expected to miss the team's next contest, scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. 

Boychuk and Tlusty will likely enter the line-up tomorrow alongside fellow Albany alumni Pat Dwyer, Brett Carson, and Brandon Sutter, all of whom have been logging significant ice-time with the Rats' parent club.

Boychuk, a highly-touted prospect and former first-round draft pick, joins the Canes for the second time this season. He registered an assist during a brief two-game call-up in early November.

Boychuk has been on fire with the River Rats lately, tallying five goals and four assists in his last ten games. The rookie sensation has a team-leading 11 goals and ranks second in team-scoring with 27 points. 

Tlusty, also a former first-round pick, has been shuffling from place to place since Carolina acquired him in a trade with Toronto on December 3rd. 

Tlusty was bogged down by immigration issues for about two weeks after skating in two games with the Hurricanes in December. He returned to Albany on December 27th.

Tlusty was held scoreless in four games with the Rats, but notched a goal in his first contest with Carolina on December 11th. 

Tlusty has 76 games of NHL experience under his belt. He holds a respectable 11 goals and 10 assists during his time in the big league.
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Rats blank Phantoms, 1-0

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