SummerScribes, August 5 edition
Wow. What a last two weeks.
The happiest folks out there are those that make, sell and print NHL souvenir programs. Because you won’t be able to tell your favorite team without a program.
In what has been reminiscent of a fantasy football draft, it’s been several signings an hour since free agency began August 1. Some of the biggest names to change zip codes are Peter Forsberg (from Colorado to Philadelphia), Adam Foote (Colorado to Columbus) and Scott Niedermayer (New Jersey to Anaheim). In addition, we’ve had trades that have taken Jeremy Roenick to Los Angeles and Chris Pronger and Michael Peca to Edmonton.
You caught up? I’ve bookmarked
TSN’s “transaction tracker”, and I suggest you do the same.
Stay tuned, as many more chips to fall. And after the bigger names are done, the smaller will follow suit, and we should know what kind of an effect the last year has had on the 2005-06 Aeros.
Foster signed The Wild signed defensemen Kurtis Foster and Scott Ferguson yesterday. While Foster expects to get a good, long look at the Wild’s camp next month, there’s a good chance you could see him in an Aeros uniform at some point this season.
Aeros fans should be very familiar with the hulking 6-foot-5, 235-pound defenseman. He joined Chicago midway through the 2001-02 season, played 2 ½ campaigns with the Wolves before joining Cincinnati last season. He led Ducks defensemen in all offensive categories, and put up two goals and an assist in a big 4-3 win over the Aeros in February.
Foster tallied 42 points (17-25=42) last season for the Ducks, his second 42-point campaign in three tries. Foster, who was second among AHL defensemen with 17 goals, was a plus-16, including a plus-14 over a torrid last 12 games which saw him notch 12 points (3-9=12). He also set an AHL record with a 101 mph slapshot at the 2003 All-Star festivities. Foster had enjoyed much of his success against the Aeros, with eight points two seasons ago, and another six in 2004-05.
Best of all, he’s only 23, is still improving and can quarterback the power play.
He also has the Houston Aeros Charities folks drooling.
While just 22 years old, he was named the AHL’s Man of the Year following the 2003-04 season. Foster headed up the Chicago Wolves’ “Read to Succeed” campaign, while also creating “Kurt’s Kanines” to reward fans who adopted a pet with an autographed photo and posting pictures on the Wolves’ Web site of dogs in need of homes. Because of his efforts, more than 250 dogs were adopted through the program.
Foster’s generosity also sparked a record number of donations as he volunteered to have lunch with a fan as part of the Wolves’ annual Toys for Tots holiday drive. He organized a used-equipment drive to help aspiring hockey players in Chicago’s inner city, and also formed “Kurtis’s Kids”, a program allowing underprivileged families and children the opportunity to attend a Wolves game as Foster’s guest.
Foster’s community participation also involved serving as a pen pal to students at a local elementary school, delivering groceries to fans’ homes, visiting hospitals and inviting patients to Wolves games.
Street Fleet, FREE public skating Saturday The Houston Aeros' popular “Street Fleet” hockey program heads to Space City Ice Station at 18150 Gulf Freeway this Saturday from 12-2 p.m. This Street Fleet includes FREE public ice skating, including rentals, for those interested.
Goodbye, good luck Two weeks ago, only Manchester was looking for a head coach. Now, the Aeros and Manitoba Moose have joined the chase.
Congrats to Aeros head coach Todd McLellan on his move to Detroit to join old friend Mike Babcock. Similarly, Randy Carlyle fled the Moose for a second time to join former Vancouver GM Brian Burke in Anaheim.
Remember what the Scribe told you about that scorecard…
LaBarbera to Kings organization With Henrik Lundqvist arriving from Sweden and Al Montoya signing from Michigan, the Rangers let loose 2003-04 AHL MVP Jason LaBarbera. The goalie is well known to Aeros fans, having shut out Houston in three straight meetings before the Aeros finally solved him in March.
LaBarbera, 25, signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Kings after racking up 65 wins over the last two seasons against only 25 losses. At 6-foot-3, 224 pounds, LaBarbera is one of the most physically imposing goalies around.
LaBarbera figures to compete for a back-up spot to Mathieu Garon. The Kings also extended a qualifying offer to Adam Hauser, who was in Manchester last season along with Garon. Hauser’s gaa of 1.93 ranked third in the AHL (LaBarbera was second at 1.84), even better than Garon (2.12). Hauser is a restricted free agent.
Despite all his success in the AHL, LaBarbera has played just 208 NHL minutes.
The Rangers get a good one, though Jason Ward, the AHL MVP for Hamilton the year the Bulldogs advanced to face Houston in the Calder Cup Finals, signed with the Rangers yesterday.
Ward was Montreal’s first-round pick in 1997, and this is his first venture outside the Canadiens’ organization.
Congrats to the “Twins” At the Aeros, we don’t just develop players and coaches.
Larisa and Marisa, most recently members of “Sonic Boom”, have been named part of the 2005 Houston Texans cheerleaders squad.
Congratulations girls!
Win a jersey! Season Ticket Holders, here’s your chance to win an autographed team jersey.
Season ticket holders are encouraged to refer friends, colleagues, civic groups, etc to their Aeros Account Executive. We would love for you to help in growing our fan base. Here’s how it works…
For every referral and phone number you send in, you will be entered into a drawing for a jersey autographed by the entire 2005-06 Aeros team.
For every referral that purchases an Aeros ticket plan or voucher book you will get an additional entry into the drawing.
The contest will run through Friday, Sept. 30th at 5:30pm, and the winner will be drawn on Friday, Oct. 7th.
To participate, simply email or contact your Account Executive with names and phone numbers of individuals who would enjoy watching the Aeros in action in 2005-06. If you are unsure of your Account Executive, please call 713.974.PUCK.
Charities news
Make your wishes heard
Have an important date coming up? Want to make a lasting wedding proposal? Call Houston Aeros Charities to schedule your announcement. For $100, you can propose to your love! We give you the flowers, the entire arenas attention during the second period and your proposal across the matrix board. It will be a proposal that will last in her memory forever!
For $50 we’ll announce a birthday or anniversary to that special person. Each announcement receives a special appearance from Chilly as he delivers a gift bag to your special person.
Your monetary donation will be given to area charities throughout the season. Plan ahead and get booked today! Keep checking the Community section to check out our great and up coming charity events!
Corporate Opportunities
Join our Tickets for Kids Program! Help encourage children’s success by purchasing 500 or more tickets for area children on behalf of your company. You can choose the charity or we can find one for you. Your company will receive in game recognition while a representative of your company performs a ceremonial puck drop. You also receive a feature article on your company, with logo, posted on aeros.com. Your donation is tax deductible and will create a special memory for children who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend.
Additionally we are always looking for corporate sponsors for our special events. Please contact us to get involved in helping out various Houston area charities. It’s a great way to advertise as well as show your companies support to Houston children.
Have an idea for a fundraising event? Please contact aeroscharities@aeros.com, we’d love to hear them and possibly get involved.
Aeros in London
Frank sends in a picture of his friend Chauncey, wearing an Aeros jersey while along the Thames River in London.
Feel free to send your pictures to qanda@aeros.com.
Mailbag and trivia take the week off while we catch our breath after a hectic week. Send questions for the next edition to qanda@aeros.com.
Congratulations to Chris from Houston for being the first to correctly guess that last edition’s “trivia logo” was the Montreal/Nova Scotia Voyageurs.
---HOUSTON AEROS, BE A FAN---
