Murphy's law: Stick with River Rats

Chris Fitz Gerald at the Troy Record has an excellent article on first-year netminder Mike Murphy.

Rats hit the ice

Coach Jeff Daniels talks strategy
(Photo from River Rats' facebook)

Two coaches, two goalies and 18 skaters hit the ice today for the first session of the River Rats' training camp at the R.P.I. Houston Field House in Troy.

A handful of players, Justin Peters, Steven Goertzen, Bryan Rodney and Drayson Bowman, did not participate. The first three, along with Bowman's equipment, are apparently still en route from Carolina.

In addition, Brandon Sutter, Zach Boychuk, Michael Ryan, Pat Dwyer, Jamie McBain and Jay Harrison remain at training camp with the Hurricanes.

The Rats that were on the ice experienced a heck of a workout.

Heavy skating was clearly on the agenda. Drills involving end-to-end break-outs and odd-man rushes lasted roughly 45 minutes. By the time shooting drills rolled along, most of the players were visibly winded.

Mike Murphy poke-checks a pass by Jonathan Paiement

The team appeared to be in good spirits.

There was a decent amount of on-ice chatter, communicative, friendly and analytical. While waiting in line, players could be seen discussing technique and occasionally joking around. Hoots and hollers could be heard after pretty goals and big saves.

As usual, assistant coach Geordie Kinnear was giving hands-on instruction to the defensemen.

Jonathan Paiement was one of several to ask Kinnear for some pointers. The two chatted for a minute or so while the rest of the team was breaking.

A few players had to clear out some cobwebs before finding their rhythm, but those fresh from camp in Carolina looked extra sharp, Brett Carson in particular.

We were unable to stay for the end, but all-in-all it appeared to be a good first day.

The team hits the ice again tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. at the the Knickerbocker Arena in Troy.

The River Rats' website has more.

Canes send five more; Ryan 'day-to-day' with concussion

The Carolina Hurricanes today sent five more players to Albany: goaltender Justin Peters, defensemen Brett Carson and Bryan Rodney, and forwards Drayson Bowman and Steven Goertzen.

That leaves in Carolina Jay Harrison, Jamie McBain, Brandon Sutter, Zach Boychuk, Pat Dwyer and Michael Ryan.

Ryan remains in camp despite suffering a probable concussion in last night's preseason game. He is listed as day-to-day.

The player most likely to make the Canes out of camp appears to be Brandon Sutter. His play at Traverse City, during camp, and in the preseason have impressed General Manager Jim Rutherford.

Jay Harrison is the front-runner for the seventh defensive spot.

Tracking the Storm has more here and here.

Rats' camp starts Wednesday

The River Rats' training camp will kick off this Wednesday at 1pm at the RPI Field House.

There are presently 19 players ready to participate, including two surprise additions: forward Milan Gajic, who played 27 games with the Florida Everblades last season, and D-man Elgin Reid, who notched 47 games last year with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers and skated for Carolina this summer at the Traverse City prospects tournament.

The group will also include goaltenders Mike Murphy and Mike Morrison, defensemen Zack Fitzgerald, Jonathan Paiement, Brett Bellemore and Benn Olson, and forwards Mike Angelidis, Nicolas Blanchard, Nick Dodge, Jerome Samson, Chris Terry, Stefan Chaput, Rob Hennigar, Matthew Pistilli, Harrison Reed, Jacob Micflikier and Brad Herauf.

Another wave of skaters will likely be sent from Carolina following tonight's preseason game against the Atlanta Thrashers.

Read more at the River Rats' website.

Jerome Samson joins Albany clique

The Hurricanes today announced that Jerome Samson has been assigned to Albany. Samson and the rest of the club will hit the ice Wednesday for the first day of Rats' training camp.

Canes send eight to Albany

The Carolina Hurricanes today assigned the first wave of players from training camp to Albany. The following players will now begin preparing for their season with the River Rats: Mike Angelidis, Nicolas Blanchard, Chris Terry, Nick Dodge, Zack Fitzgerald, Jonathan Paiement, Brett Bellemore and Mike Murphy. Tracking the Storm has more.

Dodge Blog, Day 5; Fans Tweet

Nick Dodge has a new blog entry up.

If you're craving more updates from camp, check out the LetGoCanes twitter page. Where else will you get to read things like: "Zack Fitzgerald rivals Scott Walker in the missing teeth category. Gr8t smile!"

Group B Not Discouraged

The Group B players at the Carolina Hurricanes' training camp are not discouraged by their designation. Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the story.

Canes Training Camp Insider, Day 4

The River Rats' website delivers one last day of on-site coverage from training camp in Raleigh. Interviews with Mike Murphy, Brandon Sutter, Zach Boychuk, Chris Terry, Jamie McBain and Matt Kennedy are included in the clip below. Nick Dodge also chimes in with a new blog entry.

Kennedy Taking Nothing For Granted

Matt Kennedy tells Tracking the Storm he is pushing hard to earn a contract this year, but taking nothing for granted.

Canes Training Camp Insider, Day 3

The River Rats' website has their daily recap from training camp. Interviews with Justin Peters and Mike Angelidis are posted below. Nick Dodge also has a new blog posting.

Boychuk and Sutter Fighting Hard For NHL Jobs

Zach Boychuk and Brandon Sutter tell Paul Branecky at Tracking the Storm they are intent on earning a spot on the NHL roster. Chip Alexander at the Raleigh News & Observer has more here and here.

Sorting Through Defensive Depth

Tracking the Storm takes a look at the Canes' defensive depth and speculates about who might get called up first from Albany.

Canes Training Camp Insider, Day 2

The first on-ice practice of the Hurricanes' training camp took place today at the RBC Center in Raleigh. The River Rats' website has a rundown. Paul Branecky at Tracking the Storm also has two articles recapping the day. Interviews with Brett Carson and Tim Conboy are posted below. The first blog entry by Nick Dodge is also up.

Canes Training Camp Insider, Day 1

The River Rats' website recaps Day 1 at the Hurricanes' training camp in Raleigh. Interviews with Jerome Samson and Nick Dodge are posted below.

Kennedy on Track to Earn Contract

When 20-year-old Ontario Hockey League prospect Matt Kennedy was drafted by the Canes this year, many anticipated the star forward from the Guelph Storm to kick off his pro career in 2009-10 with the Albany River Rats. Alas, it was later announced that Kennedy was planning to return to the Storm for a fifth season.

But with a stellar performance at the Traverse City tournament, Kennedy earned an invite to the Hurricanes' training camp. So now the question hangs in air: will the Canes offer Kennedy a deal and bring him to Albany?

Prior to the prospects tournament, Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford anticipated inviting seven or eight of the young players to camp. After watching the team play in Traverse City, his opinion changed.

"Based on my talks with our people here, I think that number may get to 10," Rutherford told Paul Branecky of Tracking the Storm.

Well, the number hit nine. The most visible addition: Matt Kennedy.

“At this point, he looks like a good pick for us, and he’s certainly put himself in a position to get a contract now,” said Rutherford after watching the talented forward net three goals in four games at the tournament.

Kennedy, according to Branecky, "should play in Albany next season once he signs a contract with Carolina."

Paiement Added to Canes Camp; Groups Released

Defenseman Jonathan Paiement, who inked an AHL deal with the Rats earlier this summer, has been added to the Hurricanes' training camp roster. Congrats!

The Canes have announced the camp groupings. While most of the Rats are in Group B, Brett Carson and Jay Harrison worked their way into Group A. The full listing is provided below.

Canes Announce Training Camp Roster; Borer Scheduled for Surgery

Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford today announced who will be invited to the team's upcoming training camp. The full list of skaters is available here.

Notable names include goaltenders Justin Peters and Mike Murphy; defensemen Brett Carson, Bryan Rodney, Jamie McBain, Jay Harrison and Brett Bellemore; and forwards Zach Boychuk, Brandon Sutter, Michael Ryan, Pat Dwyer, Drayson Bowman, Steven Goertzen, Matt Kennedy, Mike Angelidis, Chris Terry, Nick Dodge, Jerome Samson and Nicolas Blanchard.

Defenseman Casey Borer was scheduled to participate, but (hold your breath) he is now scheduled for neck surgery.

Borer, who suffered a broken neck in the River Rats' February bus crash, was said to be on a clear path to recovery this August. Things apparently changed. No word on when he'll be back.

Carolina D-man Joni Pitkanen will also undergo surgery. He is expected to miss two to four weeks to repair torn cartilage in his knee. So if the process goes slow, an opening could be available for an Albany defenseman at the start of the season.

Good thing the Rats inked some defensive depth.