Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Friday, June 23, 2006
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

SummerScribes, June 23 edition

Thanks to everyone for feedback from the last edition of SummerScribes. We’ll get to questions, comments and trivia later on. Feedback, as always, is welcomed – send to qanda@aeros.com. The next edition is scheduled for July 7.

Home opener is October 7 –
The Aeros will open the home portion of the 2006-07 American Hockey League season on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Toyota Center against an opponent to be determined. The entire AHL schedule will be released later this summer, but last week the Aeros announced the home opener and four other game dates. The Aeros will also be in action at Toyota Center on Friday, Oct. 27; Saturday, Oct. 28; Sunday, Nov. 19 and Tuesday, Dec. 26.

Help set the tone for an exciting season by bringing your group of friends, family, and co-workers to the game! Call 713.974.PUCK for details on how you can secure group pricing from last season with only a $50 deposit! The Opening Night Priority seating list is filling up fast, so call today!

Schedule format released –
The full release of the 2006-07 AHL schedule is still more than a month away, but yesterday, teams found out who they’d be playing in the upcoming season. The Aeros will again play 58 games against their West Division brethren. However, Houston will play 15 opponents in 2006-07, up from 14 in the recently completed season. The Aeros will return to Worcester, new home of the Sharks’ AHL affiliate. Houston last played in Worcester in 2004-05, before the St. Louis Blues moved their affiliate from Massachusetts to Peoria. Also, after a year hiatus, Syracuse is back on the schedule.

“Tets” back in the fold –
The Aeros locked up fan favorite Joey Tetarenko earlier this week, signing him to an AHL contract for the 2006-07 season. One of the most likeable Aeros both on the ice and off, it’s great to see Tetarenko back in the green and red.

Hershey takes it all –
Experience won over youth, at least in the goaltending department, as veteran netminder Frederic Cassivi helped backstop Hershey to a six-game Calder Cup final win over Milwaukee and rookie Pekka Rinne. Cassivi had plenty of help, though, as the Bears scored five or more goals in 12 of their 21 post-season games. It was also sweet vindication for Hershey coach Bruce Boudreau, dismissed a summer ago from Manchester after four straight first-round exits.

The axe falls in Manchester –
Speaking of job openings in New Hampshire…new Kings assistant GM/Monarchs GM Ron Hextall wasted little time in letting go Manchester head coach Jim Hughes and assistant Derek Clancey. With Kings GM Dean Lombardi and Hextall’s connection to Philadelphia, don’t be surprised if a former Flyer ends up with the Manchester job. And if Boudreau’s history repeats itself, look for Hughes to hit the ground running wherever he lands.

Opening in Manitoba as well –
The worst kept secret in all of hockey was finally outted earlier this week when Vancouver “called up” Alain Vigneault from Manitoba to become the Canucks’ head coach. Vigneault led the Moose to the team’s best season in recent memory in 2005-06, his first in Winnipeg. This is the second straight summer that Manitoba boss Craig Heisinger is looking for a new bench boss. Randy Carlyle left in 2005 to become Anaheim’s head coach. Again rumored to be a leading candidate is former Aero Scott Arniel, who is currently an assistant with Buffalo, which came within a game of advancing to the Stanley Cup final. Manitoba joins Bridgeport, Manchester, Peoria, Toronto and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as teams looking to hire a head coach. Philadelphia was on that list until last week, when it promoted Craig Berube to replace John Stevens, who moved up to be an assistant with the Flyers.

Carolina prevails –
Former Aeros were abound at The Maple Leaf Pub on Monday evening for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. Troy Gamble, Jason Elliott and Al Conroy were among the hockey fans – most wearing Edmonton paraphernalia – packed into the place along with The Scribe. In a Game 7 befitting of a terrific final series, Carolina outlasted the Oilers and former Aero Rem Murray, 3-1. Carolina is a deserving champion, consistent from October until June, while Edmonton shocked the hockey world and carried a nation upon its back for the past two months.

Will Laviolette fly the coup? –
Carolina’s most important decision in the days following its Cup victory is how much money to offer head coach Peter Laviolette, whose contract is up at the end of the month. The Boston Bruins are reportedly relishing the thought of the New England native being behind their bench. Laviolette, 41, was also rumored to be a candidate in New York before the Islanders hired Ted Nolan. All these job suitors for a guy still with a job, for another week or so…

Draft this weekend in Vancouver –
All eyes in the NHL look upon Vancouver this weekend, as the NHL Entry Draft takes place. Minnesota owns the ninth and 17th picks in the first round. Many draft prognosticators have the Wild selecting St. Paul native Kyle Okposo with the first round. Okposo has committed to the University of Minnesota, where he’ll play after an All-Star season with Des Moines of the United States Hockey League. First round coverage of the Draft is on OLN beginning at 5 p.m. (ct) Saturday. Visit wild.com for plenty of draft-day information.

The Devils made them do it –
The New Jersey Devils bought the Lowell Lock Monsters franchise earlier this spring, and this week changed the team’s name to Lowell Devils (www.lowelldevilshockey.com). The Devils were previously affiliated with the Albany River Rats, who now switch over to defending champion Carolina and Colorado.

Renewals, Renewals, Renewals!
Many thanks to the Aeros most valuable customers, our season ticket holders! Renewals are off to a great start for the 2006-07 season. If you haven’t yet contact your account executive regarding your account, please call 713.974.PUCK today! There are many exciting benefits and events available exclusively to season ticket holders that you’ll want to be a part of!

Become a Season Ticket Holder!
This is a great time to join the Aeros season ticket holder team! For information on how you and your business will benefit by teaming with the Aeros, click here. Want to secure your seat today, or think a voucher book is the thing for you? Call 713.974.PUCK today!

“Locks for Love” –
Aeros game operations and coordinator and “Chilly” handler Gabriel Presas has done the unthinkable – cut his hair! Gabe has let the top of his head grow since the Aeros won the Calder Cup in 2003, but he chopped most of it off this past weekend to benefit Locks of Love. Great job, Gabe!

Amateur Hockey News
Plans are coming together for the aforementioned Aeros Equipment Seminars. Details on times and locations will be available soon. Contact Jeremy Burson at 713.361.7946 or jburson@aeros.com for more details!

Need to satisfy your hockey fix now that the season is over. Check out one of Houston’s ice skating facilities! Info on public skates, hockey leagues, registration time lines, etc can be viewed at the rinks’ websites:

www.sugarlandice.com
www.aerodromes.com
www.spacecityicestation.com

For more information on youth and amateur hockey in the Houston area, please contact Jeremy Burson at 713.361.7946 or jburson@aeros.com.

Jersey auction online –
The 2005-06 home jersey auction is online now through July 5 at 12:01 p.m. (ct). Click here to bid!

Become Part of Houston Aeros Entertainment Team –
If you enjoy the excitement of sports entertainment, ice skating and love the idea of performing for thousands of AHL fans, try out for the Aerodynamics Team (formerly Strike Force). This is a great opportunity to work for a professional sports team.

The Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League are currently seeking candidates interested in becoming a member of the Aerodynamic Team.

We’re looking for athletic, spirited and outgoing individuals that can entertain the crowd at all Houston Aeros home games. They will also be responsible for distribution of giveaways, assist with intermission activities and entertain at all Aeros home games. The teams impact will not be limited to the game entertainment, all Aerodynamics will also be available for charitable and community appearances and assist with the team's marketing efforts in the Houston community.

All members must hold a full-time job or be a full-time student. You must be at least 18 by July 28, 2006. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Call Gabriel Presas at 713.361.7907 for more information.

Aeros’ summer program a big HITS –

The Houston Aeros Hockey In The Streets program (formerly known as Street Fleet) is officially underway! The Hockey In The Streets program (HITS) is designed to teach Houston area kids about the basic fundamentals of hockey in a fun filled environment. Kids will participate in games of street hockey with equipment provided by the Houston Aeros. Also look for special appearances by Aeros mascot Chilly, and Aeros Cheerleaders and Cheer Squad, Strike Force and Sonic Boom. Games, prizes, snacks and drinks will be available courtesy of the Houston Aeros. Look for the Hockey In The Streets program to be coming to a neighborhood near you this summer.

Interested in hosting a Hockey In the Streets event this summer? Do you have a local organization that would want to team up with the Aeros to host an event? Call 713.361.7950 for more information.

HAC preparing for a new season – Houston Aeros Charities is going for major wins this season! Make sure to join us for our 12th Annual Charity Golf Classic to be held in October at Wildcat Golf Club where our players will trade in their sticks for clubs. Don’t miss out because right now we are seeking corporate sponsors for our in game fundraisers: Tickets for Kids, Golden Puck, Birthdays, and more! This is a great opportunity to receive corporate recognition and contribute to local charities.

If you would like additional information on upcoming events or make a monetary donation, please contact Courtney Eidman at 713.361.7925. Be sure to visit the Community section of the website frequently as we’ll be updating our information as the season draws near.

Mailbag time

Q: Hello...I have to issue congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C. of the National Hockey League for winning the Stanley Cup!!!!!!! What an awesome season and an amazing playoff run!!! They deserve to be right where they are and it takes extreme dedication and hard work to get to the finals, much less win the Cup!!! This is great for hockey and great for North Carolina!!!!!!!!! Raleigh has some of the best fans in the League, and now, other cities will take notice!! Way to go Canes.............CELEBRATE!!!!!! Only three months left until the NHL Training Camps start!!! – Cathie from Winston-Salem, N.C. (also known as Patrick O’Sullivan’s mom)

Scribe says: Cathie, thanks as always for a great e-mail. Wear your Hurricanes colors proud. Editors note: Cathie did mention that she was also rooting hard for Patrick’s former linemate, Rem Murray.

Q: Baseball has spring training, football has pre-season. Explain how the AHL and NHL prepare for opening day of their season. The first game is the first of October for the Aeros. When are the players scheduled to return here? Also, do the players first try out for the Minnesota Wild? If they’re not picked do they then try out again for the Aeros even if they have already played for the AHL or the Aeros? – Ed

Scribe says: Excellent question Ed. There are lots of answers depending on what type of contracts, etc. But basically, here it goes…National Hockey League training camps begin the first two weeks of September. Included in that camp are every player on an NHL contract, plus many tryout players and some on American Hockey League deals. Throughout the next three weeks, including exhibition games, the Wild pare down its roster to 22 players. Among the players cut, they are assigned to the Aeros for their training camp, which usually opens around September 20. The Aeros have their own tryout players as well from lower leagues such as the ECHL and CHL. Just like in NHL camp, it’s two weeks of full fledged competition with pre-season games, and by Opening Night you’ll have the roster of 22-23 players who will begin the season in Houston.

Thanks for all the great questions and comments! Keep 'em coming.

Trivia time
Back by popular demand, it’s SummerScribe trivia time. Congratulations to Fred from Cypress, the only reader to correctly say that Chris Osgood was the last goalie to win a Stanley Cup final game allowing four goals, prior to Cam Ward’s Game 1 victory. Osgood and the Red Wings beat Washington 5-4 in Game 2 of the 1998 final. Fred wins an Aeros visor.

This edition’s prize is an Aeros CD holder. Earlier, we talked about Saturday’s NHL Draft. Who was the first, first-round pick ever to suit up for the present-day (IHL/AHL) Aeros? Send answers to qanda@aeros.com.

That’s it, Aeros fans. When we meet again, free agency will be in full swing! We’ll see you again next time!


---HOUSTON AEROS---