Peters, Boychuk and Goertzen returned

With the NHL entering a two-week break for the Olympics, the Carolina Hurricanes today reassigned goaltender Justin Peters and forwards Zach Boychuk and Steven Goertzen to the Albany River Rats. 

Peters is coming off the first two NHL starts of his career after being recalled on February 5th. He earned two wins, a 1.51 GAA, .950 SV%, and a fair share of praise from his coaches, teammates, fans and the local press. 

In 34 games with the River Rats this season, Peters has a record of 18-13-2, with one shutout, a 2.55 GAA and .916 SV%.

The return of Peters gives the Rats three goaltenders and will likely result in the reassignment of veteran Mike Morrison to the ECHL.

Zach Boychuk, who was recalled on Friday night, picked up his first NHL goal on Saturday against the legendary Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils. Boychuk now has a goal and three assists in 12 games with the Hurricanes this season. 

Boychuk ranks among the AHL's top rookies and is one of the Rats' leading scorers with 27 points (21 G, 22 A) in 43 games.

Gritty checking forward Steven Goertzen returns to Albany after spending six games with the Canes. He was recalled on February 2 and dropped the gloves Tuesday night with Bryan Allen of the Florida Panthers.

The reassignment of Boychuk and Goertzen gives the Rats 13 healthy forwards as the team prepares for Monday's important divisional match-up against the Norfolk Admirals. 

The Rats may reassign a skater to the Florida Everblades by tomorrow.

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. 

News & Notes

• The usual weekly round-up has been posted at the Rats' website.

• Forward Nicolas Blanchard talks with the Albany Times Union about his three-game suspension. More here.

• 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.
  

Micflickier, Hennigar assigned to Florida

The River Rats today assigned forwards Jacob Micflikier and Rob Hennigar to the Florida Everblades. The Rats' website has the story. 

Feisty forward Brad Herauf, who has a two-way AHL/ECHL deal, remains on Albany's roster.

Rivalry kicks off with a bang

(Photo by Jennifer Bock)

The Albany River Rats and Adirondack Phantoms kicked off the Northway rivalry with a bang on Friday and Saturday night.

No points or positions in the standings were up for grabs in the two-game preseason series, but something less tangible was clearly on the line.

The Rats hit the ice determined to set the tone against their new arch-nemesis from the north...and they did just that.

During 125 minutes of intense and physical hockey, the Rats and Phantoms traded punches, penalties and home-town wins.

The Phantoms won the first contest on Friday in a shootout, 2-1, while the River Rats dominated the second match on Saturday, 5-1. Each team recorded a victory, but there was little doubt regarding which team was superior.

During both contests Albany had better puck control and spent more time on the attack. The Rats out-shot the Phantoms 27 to 20 in Glens Falls, and 27 to 16 at the Times Union Center.

Adirondack netminder Johan Backlund saved the Phantoms from losing the first match.

The Rats had a multitude of chances in game one, but only winger Jerome Samson was able to score. Samson played well and has been impressive at camp. He was assisted by Drayson Bowman and Elgin Reid.

Bowman, after tallying an assist, was injured in a knee-on-knee collision. He did not return and did not play Saturday. No word on his condition.

Reid is at camp on a tryout basis and playing solid.

The Rats were blessed with the presence of Zach Boychuk in game two. Boychuk, a 2008 first-round draft pick, was recently assigned to Albany from Carolina. He was undoubtedly the most skilled player on the ice Saturday night.

Zach Boychuk
(Photo by Jennifer Bock)

Boychuk's constant pursuit of the puck put the Phantoms on their heels throughout game. He finished the night with two points, scoring a goal off a beautiful set-up by Bryan Rodney and helping Jacob Micflikier net the Rats' final goal in the third.

Boychuk also drew several penalties, as the Phantoms were forced to hook and hold the speedy youngster all night.

In the second period, Boychuk was awarded a penalty shot after being tackled on a break-away. He was unable to convert. After he returned to the bench, back-up veteran goaltender Mike Morrison provided the rookie some advice for the future. Boychuk listened carefully.

Also getting on the board were Stefan Chaput, assisted by Nicolas Blanchard; Harrison Reed, assisted by Steven Goertzen and Jacob Micflikier; and Mike Angelidis, assisted by Brad Herauf. In addition, Jonathan Paiement landed two secondary assists on the goals by Boychuk and Micflikier.

As some fans may remember, last season some of the tougher clubs around the league took advantage of the Rats' smaller stature and lack of healthy enforcers. Not this time.

The Phantoms' attempts to intimidate fell flat. The Rats were not afraid go hit-for-hit, mix things up after the whistle, and drop the gloves.

In the bare-knuckle department, Zack Fitzgerald did exactly what he was signed to do. During the first period of game two, Fitzgerald noticed a Phantom taking cheap shots in a post-whistle scrum. Fitzgerald moved in, singled out his man, dropped the gloves and delivered numerous haymakers in a lengthy bout.

Albany's Zack Fitzgerald and Nicolas Blanchard fight Adirondack's Matt Clackson and Josh Beaulieu
(Photo by Jennifer Bock)

Meanwhile, Niclolas Blanchard went toe-to-toe with a man of his own, earning a game misconduct for the secondary altercation. Blanchard may have lost his playing privileges for the night, but Albany kept the momentum.

The Rats and Phantoms totaled 160 penalty minutes, ten belonging to Brad Herauf, who was perhaps the most passionate and spirited player on the ice.

Herauf, who is fighting for a spot on the AHL roster, brings toughness and great character to the bench. His drive motivates the entire team.

Brad Herauf
(Photo by Jennifer Bock)

Herauf is a true worker that always appears to be improving. He is best known for his toughness, but is capable of producing hard-nosed offense as well. He tallied an assist in Saturday's game on a goal by Mike Angelidis.

D-man Benn Olson should be commended for delivering big hits and playing a good defensive game. He sent the final message of the preseason with a fight against Andrew Lord at the end of intermission on Saturday.

Benn Olson takes care of business at the final buzzer
(Photo by Jennifer Bock)

Harrison Reed, who has been skating well since the first day of training camp, had a very strong second night, notching the game-winner and earning first star.

Brett Carson was designated captain on Friday. Carson did not play Saturday and the "C" was worn by Mike Angelidis.

Netminders Mike Murphy and Mike Morrison split time in the first game. Justin Peters secured the win on Saturday.

Steven Goertzen, Nicolas Blanchard, Bryan Rodney, Zach Boychuk and Pat Dwyer did not play in Glens Falls. Brett Carson, Nick Dodge, Jerome Samson, Drayson Bowman and Pat Dwyer were scratched in game two.

Brandon Sutter, Michael Ryan, Jamie McBain and Jay Harrison remain in Carolina.

Attendance in Albany more than doubled the previous night's showing in Glens Falls, 5,289 to 2,039. The Rats offered free tickets.

The River Rats start the regular season at home next Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Manchester Monarchs.

Rats Annouce Signing of Olson, Herauf, Micflikier, Paiement

The River Rats today officially announced the signings of Benn Olson, Brad Herauf, Jacob Micflikier, and Jonathan Paiement.

We knew about Paiement, and we had heard rumors about the other three, but nothing official until now. The signings round out the team well for next season.

Big Benn Olson, 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, is a physical stay-at-home defenseman and powerful enforcer. The 22-year-old from Port McNeill, British Columbia, is returning for his second year with the club.

Benn Olson
(Photo by Jennifer Bock)

As an undrafted rookie, Olson started last season strong, but like many of the 2008-09 River Rats, he was sidelined with an injury. From November until late January, Olson was out with a broken thumb.

After recuperating, he played five reconditioning games with the ECHL's Florida Everblades and subsequently returned to the Rats to finish the year.

In 36 games with Albany, Olson landed four assists, 140 penalty minutes, and finished the year with a +2 ranking, not bad considering the team's record.

After Albany lost Trevor Gillies to a concussion, Olson stepped in as the team's go-to tough guy, showing no signs of pain in his once mangled right hand.

Prior to going pro, Olson spent four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Kamloops Blazers. In 275 junior career games, Olson tallied 4 goals, 29 assists, and racked up 834 penalty minutes. He finished his final season in Seattle with a +31.

Olson's solid, physical defensive game will be needed more than ever this year. Expect him to run protection for young talent like Zach Boychuk and Drayson Bowman.

Brad Herauf
(Photo by Jennifer Bock)

The 27-year-old Brad Herauf, last listed at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, was called up from the Florida Everblades mid-season last year. In his first AHL stint, the scrappy, strong-hearted checking forward played well enough to earn a regular spot in the Rats' line-up. In 37 games, he tallied two goals, two assists, and 116 penalty minutes.

Herauf, who hails from Regina, Saskatchewan, spent the previous four seasons in the ECHL, totaling 211 games, 40 goals, 57 assists, and a whopping 851 penalty minutes.



Herauf may be a bit undersized for a checking forward, but he plays like a pit bull. He doesn't back down from anybody, works the boards well, and drives to the net with the best of them.

Herauf has inked a two-way deal with the Rats, meaning he will play somewhere between Albany and Florida next season. He is an excellent depth player to have in the organization.

Forward Jacob Micfliker is the new guy. Coming in at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, the 25-year-old native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, spent last season between the Rochester Americans and the Florida Everblades. Rochester shares their ECHL affiliate with the Rats.

Micflikier scores crashing the net

In 39 games with the Americans last season, Micflikier scored four goals and 12 assists. In 10 contests with the Blades, he had 10 goals and 14 assists.

Micflikier spent the previous year between the Springfield Falcons and their ECHL affiliate, the Stockton Thunder. He scored five points (4 G, 1 A) in eight games with Springfield and marked an impressive 37 points (10 G, 27 A) in 29 games with Stockton.

From 2003 to 2007, Micflikier attended the University of New Hampshire and became one of the school's all-time leading scorers. In 154 NCAA games, he tallied 58 goals and 92 assists for 150 points.

With Micflikier inked to a one-year deal, the Rats now have a range of depth forwards in the system.

Albany will be well protected against injuries, call-ups and any other voids that may need filling.

News of Jonathan Paiement's signing was first dropped in July by Malcolm Cameron, head coach of the Everblades. Learn more about the well-rounded blueliner here.