Around the A Podcast Offseason Update - August 11 2021

We're back with another Around The A Offseason Update,

This week we break down a busy past month in the AHL that has featured seven head-coaching changes, a new affiliation, a new team name, and plenty of player signings.

Be sure to subscribe to and rate the podcast and give us a follow on social media @AroundTheAPod!

---
About the hosts:

David Foot can be heard on CJBQ 800 in Belleville, the radio home of the Belleville Senators. He is also the voice of the Wellington Dukes and has OHL experience with the Belleville Bulls and the Peterborough Petes. You can find him on Twitter at @FootyOnTheAir.

Patrick Williams covers the NHL's top developmental league for NHL.com and can be heard regularly on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. He has nearly a decade of experience at NHL.com, first covering the Winnipeg Jets before shifting to the AHL beat, and also has experience in the ECHL and OHL. You can find him on Twitter at @pwilliamsAHL.

Episode Transcript

(00:06):
This isn't Around the A off seasonupdate with David Foote and Patrick Williams on
the Sports Podcasting Network. We areback with another offseason update on Around the
A. Glad to have you withus, with a whole lot of stuff
to recap. Over the last fewweeks or so, we've had a frenzy
of free agent signings, some prettybig time coaching moves as well, and

(00:28):
perhaps the biggest news is the releaseof a schedule and a new format for
the Calder Cup playoffs this year.So lots to talk about this week.
I will also hear from AHL veteranKerry Broadhurst. We're going to talk a
little bit about this uncertain free agentmarket, which has been a you know,
an absolute nightmare for some in tryingto navigate. So we'll try to

(00:49):
shed some light on that, patBut why don't we start with the schedule
and the new playoff format. Theseare some things I think that fans are
really excited to see out there,because it means that the next season is
right around the corner, and youknow, for all intents and purposes,
save for perhaps the expanded number ofteams in the playoffs, it's looking fairly

(01:11):
normal as of right now. Yeah, well, let's start with the schedule,
which in any years a big dealwhen it's released. Like you said,
it's a chance to plan out yourseason, plan out the winner,
you know, kind of circle gameson the calendar, holiday teams, what
have you. That goes double triplethis season where it's the first year time

(01:32):
in two years that we've had anatural, normal schedule release, not something
that can to what we had thispast season with you know, a very
limited, very trunk heated schedule.So that was a big deal for a
lot of teams. It's a chanceto really care start their ticket sales,
their sponsorships, everything, all thestuff that goes into making things run off

(01:53):
the ice. The schedule is ahuge part of that. And the thing
that I was encouraged by was that'sa pretty well looking schedule. You have
pross border games that was huge,You have some East West released on a
limited basis, pretty similar to mostseasons, and you have a full schedule

(02:15):
be it sixties, sixty eight,seventy two, or seventy six games.
This is the final year of teamsplaying uneven number of games, so before
they moved to the seventy two games, schedule in twenty two twenty three,
we got one last look at thepoint percentage standings. But yeah, it's
a big step forward, definitely.I think a milestone that the league crossed,

(02:39):
you know, a couple of weeksago and really scared enough for the
twenty one twenty two season. AndOctober fifteenth is opening night for anybody who
is unaware of when the next season'sgoing to start, And yeah it is.
Um, it's just nice to see. I think that we get the
schedule at a normal time. Imean, I would imagine that behind the

(03:01):
scenes, there are some contingencies beingput in place, you know, should
the COVID situation uh get worse,which of course we knock on wood that
it won't. But it looks realnormal. Um. You know, the
Belvill Senators are going to see Torontoand LaVale combined twenty four times between the
two of them, So that's normal. Um, And it's it's it's yeah

(03:23):
again, got to be encouraging,I think for for fans, for players,
and and for team staffs who cannow you know, get down to
the business of now planning for thisupcoming season and trying to make it as
normal as possible. For sure.And if you notice, and that is
a good point about the Coronavir situationthat um I noticed they in some cases

(03:46):
they try to sort of back end, back gload some of the cross boarder
games later on in the season.I mean that's not completely avoidable. I
mean you have to fit X numberof games into x for a month,
but give the lead a little bitof leeway that way in terms of scheduling.
So but yeah, it looks prettynormal. I think that was the

(04:11):
most encouraging thing. I mean,as team says, summer are really ramping
up there hiring. I mean Iput this on on social media a few
times. You know, if youwant to work in the hockey business,
this is the summer to pursue that, because there are jobs everywhere, are
all across the lead, all differentsorts of types of jobs. It's a
marketing or you know, the financialside, the sales side, whatever.

(04:34):
So everybody's at this point going prettyfull speed getting things back up and running
after you know, obviously such adifficult season. And I think the first
thing I just want to say,before you move on from the schedules,
you have to give full credit toMelissa Carusoe the HLVP for tackling that monstrous

(04:59):
job up. I mean, thatis not an easy job in the best
of times, let alone right now, Chance and assistant alone as well,
who helps her with that, Sothey have to go through that schedule,
and I mean that thing is abeast trying to especially with the different number
of games for different teams and allthe different scheduling considerations that you have to

(05:24):
do, and then you throw oncoming off a pandemic and still having the
pandemic hanging over all of our heads. So remarkable job by her every year,
I think even more so this year, and Alison as well in the
Age office, because that's the kindof job I don't think, well,
you you can't make the league runwithout somebody taking that job on, and

(05:47):
you know, it's such a crucialthing, but it's also kind of a
thankless job. So full march toboth of them for making that happen and
giving us the schedule that play aroundwith now and Melissa Caruso recognized by the
League for her work this week,being named the winner of the James C.

(06:08):
Hendy Memorial Award for Outstanding Executives,So that certainly has not gone unnoticed,
as you say, around the leagueand at head office. Incredible work
done there to make everything happen overthe last year or so. And as
we return to you know, morenormal times, we start to talk about

(06:29):
evolving the league forward and further.And the big thing up to now has
been that unified schedule, which weknow will as you said, come into
play next season. The other bigthing is the playoff format, and the
league has made what I would considerto be a fairly radical change to the
playoff format. A lot more teamsare going to get in. It's all

(06:53):
kind of in the interest in gettingthe prospects for NHL clubs, you know,
more of these high stakes, highintensity playoffs style games. And while
there has been some negative feedback aboutthe playoff format, which we're about to
break down for you, I thinkat the end of the day, it's
going to be good for these prospectsto get that kind of experience that will

(07:15):
help bring them to the next level. The headline is that twenty three teams
will now qualify for the Calder Cupplayoffs and that starts this season, so
it's a pretty good jump in eachof the four divisions. All but two
teams will qualify for the postseason.That creates a playoff field of six teams
in the Atlantic, five in theNorth Division, five in the Central,

(07:35):
and seven in the Pacific Division.As Pat mentioned, teams will be ranked
on points percentage based on how theyfinished in the regular season. The first
round will be best of three thetop two teams in the Atlantic, the
top three teams in the North andCentral, and the first place team in
the Pacific. We'll all get buysinto the division semifinals. First round winners

(07:56):
will recede in the second round.The division finals will be best of five,
followed by best of seven conference finals, and of course the best of
seven called or Cup. It's it'sa bit of a mouthful. It's a
lot to break down, Pat,But what do you think of the playoff
format and the reasoning I guess behindmaking this expansion. Well, the reasoning

(08:18):
is a couple fold from one,Like you said, players get much that
much more playoff experience. One hundredand fifty some players, you know,
if you add seven teams get atleast taste of playoff hockey that the otherwise
would not. So that's big.And then I think the second part is
it offers at least some teams afew extra home dates during the playoffs,

(08:41):
a chance to bring in a littlebit of extra ave new playoffs are always
a little bit of a mixed bagin terms of attendance, just because you
have so much less time to marketin and promote games and a lot of
quick turnarounds. But you know ifif in some markets at least you can
do a prettier job bringing those crowdsin, so it's a chance to add

(09:07):
a little bit. Uh. Itis definitely complicated, there's no question.
I would almost simplify it down tothis though. Um you know that that
first round is almost a qualifying roundin a sense. Uh So once you
get pass that round and you endup with your your your your field to

(09:28):
start the division semi finals. Fromthere, it's pretty much the same as
it's always been, uh Either.The one difference is that second round is
still a best of five. Itused to be a best of seven,
so that that that's a change.But um, that that first round,
that qualifying round is definitely a littlebit. Uh it's a lot to get

(09:48):
your head around. But but fromthere it definitely simplifies and it turns into
much more of a traditional um oneversus four, two versus three format the
different divisions. So I would say, if I was a fan or if
I was trying tansplaying this, Iwould say, sort of, don't worry

(10:09):
too much about that first round,that that will be what it will be,
and then just sort of see howit all settles out into the subsequent
rounds, starting with that division semifinal, which is the former first round now
the second round, if that makessense. So it's sort of a long

(10:30):
short way to look at it.You know, it is definitely different.
I think twenty two twenty three willprobably see twenty four teams make it still
will simplify a little bit. Butfor right now, with thirty one teams
in the league, yeah, it'sa little bit, a little bit walking,
but it's all part of getting youknow, to that full thirty two

(10:52):
team contingent and eventually a more balancedschedule. So yeah, it's a little
bit of growing pain, but Ithink they'll they'll get through it this season.
And I've heard some people say,you know, what's the point of
letting that many teams in? Doesn'tit water things down, you know,
and take some of the prestige andimportance away from the regular season itself.

(11:16):
And I suppose that argument could bemade. I kind of look at it
as a March Madness type of thing. In the NC Double A. You've
got like sixty teams that get intothat tournament, and I don't feel like
it waters it down so much asit gives more teams a shot. Uh.
You know, as long as youas long as you get there,
you've got an opportunity to go farand maybe be a Cinderella story. And

(11:39):
I think it could make for somepretty intriguing storylines in that sense of things,
at least from where I sit.I just like playoff hockey. I
think the more teams that get in, the better off we're going to be,
for sure. And I mean Ithink especially where rosters change quickly,
and this league is unpredictable even inthe most normal times. Right. And

(12:03):
so now if you throw this wrinkleof seven additional playoff teams that can definitely
throw out, throw kind of adefinite curveball into that playoff field, and
maybe you have a team that comesin that was a fifth place team and
they get a few additions from theNHL club to start the playoffs and then

(12:28):
and they become that Cinderella team.You never know, but we've seen it
before in this league, where teamscan get hot and they get a couple
of big additions and it really changesthe complexion of things and vice versa.
Maybe I haven't think that was firstor second place, and they lose a
couple key pieces to the NHL clubstill being in the in this Stanley Cup

(12:50):
playoffs, and that changes things.So, um, I understand what people
are saying about it being watered down, but I mean, really you could
say that, you know anything.I guess above the top two teams,
the league in the regular season isin the sense water down, right,
It's just a matter of how howmuch you want to water it down.

(13:11):
And you're trying to build playoff excitement. You're trying, like you said,
that March madness feel. You're tryingto bring a little bit of that into
the HL and spice up the field. And I think, like I said,
next season, I should say twentytwo twenty three, when you get
to a thirty two team league,you can probably go with twenty fourteen playoff

(13:33):
field. The format will be alot cleaner, a lot, a lot
simpler. I think for people toget their head around, and you know,
this season is just a little bitof that that awkward in between stage,
but I think it points to wherethe league is going long term,
and it's really one of the firstlooks we're seeing at what Scott Holson has

(13:54):
in mind as he really starts toget down to shaping his vision of the
league since he took go over.So this is the first big step toward
that. And you know, Ithink the NHL teams are definitely gonna be
on board with it because they wanttheir play players in playoff action. I
mean, I've heard many many frontoffice people say, you know, an

(14:18):
HL playoff game is the equivalent ofthree or four regular season games, and
just in terms of the intensity,the high level of skill, and it's
really the closest thing you're going toget the actual NHL products. So the
more you can expose players to thatand get them at least the taste of
that, I think, the moreyou're going to have NHL teams on board

(14:39):
with it. And I think it'sgood for the fans as well to give
them kind of exposure to playoff hockeyand come to the end of the season,
you know, the last month orso, there still are going to
likely be some pretty tight races forthose final spots, even though there's only
you know, two teams essentially fromeach division that aren't going to get into
the playoffs. So you're still goingto have that, you know, chase

(15:01):
for the playoffs kind of excitement atthe end of the year. And I
think, you know, once everybodywraps their head around the format, it'll
be good. And like you said, next year, things will hopefully be
simplified with that new team coming in, So exciting stuff on the playoff front
anyway, And like I said,who doesn't like a little bit more playoff
hockey at the end of the day. And we'd love to know what you

(15:22):
think about the playoff format for theupcoming AHL season. You can let us
know on social media at around theapod and yeah, give us a little
bit of your feedback if we're wayoff base or if you're on board with
these changes they're coming into effect thisseason. We're gonna move on to Terry
Broadhurst, who's a free agent rightnow, and then after this interview,

(15:46):
Pat, we're going to get intosome of the wild free agency moves that
have been happening over the past fewweeks, but you were able to catch
up with Terry, who's in alittle bit of a I won't say unique
position. I was going, it'sunique for all free agents right now,
but in an odd position because thefree agent market hasn't really bounced back the
way that we were kind of expecting, or or some free agents we're hoping

(16:08):
that it might following last season.Yeah, Terry's an interesting case because he
made the decision to go down tothe ECHL this past season, so he
played for the Indie Fuel, whoare part of the Chicago Blackhawks system.
I went down there and he wasable to kind of rediscover his scoring touch.

(16:30):
Traditionally at the HL level, he'sbeen more of that checking center,
that player that could go up anddown the lineup, but played more of
that defensive role. And in ending, he was able to really take on
that that high end scoring role,almost a point per game player. Highly
respected though thirty two years old,two hundred ninety two HL geames a guy
that traditionally has always been able toget a contract in this league. Of

(16:52):
last year was very difficult, obviouslynot going for him, but for so
many players in his shoes and thisyear he's trying to definitely made that push
back to the American Hockey League.And certainly a guy who's proven that you
can play at this level for manyseasons. I just had a little bit
of a taste of Europe as well, played two seasons over there. So
a guy that's slot into a lotof different roles. How they respected,

(17:15):
dressing room, guy, leader,he's one a letter at this level.
So the kind of guy that ina normal season would easily be picked up.
This is definitely a little bit morechallenging free jim market. But Terry's
always always a good guest. We'vehad him on before, very honest,

(17:36):
very willing to provide insight into whatgoes through a player's mind through these times.
And I think he's very he's veryself aware, guy that definitely is
a thinking man kind of player,and so I thought the interview turned out
really well. Terry Broadhurst the formercaptain at the University of Nebraska Omaha and
again, as Pat said, veteranof two hundred plus almost three hundred and

(18:00):
our can Hockey League games. We'llhere his thoughts so on a free agency
coming up next on this's around theape, interact with us on social media,
give us your thoughts using the hashtagaround the A and follow up that
around the A pump. I guessI'll just start to just by asking you,

(18:26):
you know, how are you doingthis summer and what's the off season
been length for you? Um,it's been a little different as far as
the time frame, right like usuallyhere in August. You know, it's
almost been like putting back a monthat all. I guess that's a little
bit of an adjudgment. Um,but it's not been too crazy right like.
But one thing I think as thiskind of showing, I was like,

(18:51):
you just become adaptable and figure itout. So it's kind of been
the usuality. You know, trainstarting to rev up as far as conditioning
goes, and you know you're garenough to be ready for camp. You
know it's working into September, midSeptember, so nothing's too different there.
Um. Yeah, it's kind ofnice to feed back to normal charts that

(19:12):
having to wear masks, arrange yeah, and that type of thing and have
you know enough guys on the iceand all that stuff, right, So
it kind of feels good just toyou're even training and you know, be
in the gym. All that isthat's more normal than it wants to last,
cross be won and that that wayit feels feels good. Yeah,
you know after every like you mentionedthe last eighteen months and especially last offseason

(19:37):
where it was so uncertain. Um, has that helped in terms of being
able to roll with the punches moreand and kind of go with the flow
a little bit? Yeah? Definitely. I think that's like the biggest thing
that I've taken from it, andI would imagine most people have taken from
it. And it's like there's somuch at out of your control. Um

(19:59):
when it comes life, profession orwhatever it may be. Um, that's
kind of all I've looked at this. It's like, Okay, one can
I control? And am I doingthat the best of my abilities? And
if I am that, Okay,take a broaths and relax because I'm doing
everything in my power to control things, Like can't the other stuff online control?
I wonder you can happen. I'llfigure it out. Because so I

(20:22):
think that mentality and it helps andall haths of life. I think it's
building over to uh, all differentareas of life. But it definitely is
the way I've learned to kind ofcope with some of that anxiety and negative
self talk when you know you're worriedabout so many different things, you know,
going through these processes. When youthink back over your career and you

(20:44):
know, even maybe speaking with someother players teammates through the years, how
much is that anxiety factor come intoplay for everybody, you know, especially
down at this level and the ECHLlevel where guys you know, they do
get kind of kicked around a littlebit more in the business than than NHL
players might. Yeah, you know, I think I d have a conversation

(21:06):
recently with an old coach and uh, we were talking about this exact thing,
and he was head really well,he's just like you kinds of the
holy ones to deal with this,like and so all players deal with that,
All people deal with it. It'sjust you know, a different cover
story, right, you know,whatever, it's business, your job,
hockey, whatever may be. Um, and I think there's some company knowing
that, like, hey, everybody'sgoing to like it's okay, and it's

(21:30):
not the end of the world.It's totally normal. And you know,
if you again, I just keepsaying that you figure out if you go.
Um. I think too, It'slike you gotta have a little bit
of acceptance that this is what yousigned up for. This is pro hockey,
this is a business. Like there'sjust a certain reality that that's that's
going to happen. And I think, uh, it's as you get older,

(21:51):
you definitely have more perspective on that. But that's that's definitely something I
think young guys can get. Ifthey can get that a little bit quicker,
it will make life a little biteasier on themselves. Just knowing this
is what it is, you acceptit and you just rolled and figured out
from there. And it's totally naturalto have those days where your anchors and
worried about stuff and you know youkind of just don't let that tippy one
way or the other. You juststarted to say even gel and you know,

(22:14):
keep fighting the good flight type ofapps. Now, for you,
this past season, you had togo to the Echlum you know, your
first really sustained experience down there sincereally your first full rookie season. So
what was that like in terms ofgetting your head around it and how did
that experience go for you? Um? Well, first off, it was

(22:37):
a great experience Indy Fuel where firstclass all the way as far as saying
there me and my family, Um, it was really good. The guys
and the team were great. Ican't say a bad thing about the coaching
staff, everything on the I dropgets all that stuff. But it was
definitely a prop that's going through that. I mean, you know that like
id y say, like that's nothitting the players go. You know,

(23:00):
that's that's just the reality of it. Um. But then I again another
simple conversations. I'm going through thisprocess and thinking about things, and you
know, you start kind of lookingat things a little bit more realistic.
Okay, the American League's not gonnahave playoffs, Like that's that's gonna hurt
the older players trying to find ajob, right they want be young kids
to develop. Totally understandable. Sonow you're looking at a situation, well,

(23:21):
am I not going to play?Am I gonna least play the hockey?
You know? Like I said,it was a simple conversation I had
with my dad talking about it,like I don't know if I should do
this. They had and kind oflike what are you talking about? Like,
go go play some games, youknow, And I was fortunate enough
to the Indian Apples. That's wheremy light's families from, which played a
big part of that. You're goingdown there so your families do play.
My young son was able to seeme play, being in the locker room,

(23:45):
be around the guy. I mean, that stuff went such a long
way for me as far as youknow, when I when I look back
on my career as a whole,you mentioned that, and you know how
important was it to you to makesure that you got games in some where
you know, as opposed to alot of guys had to sit out this
past season in similar situations, andum, you were able to avoid that.

(24:07):
Yeah, like you, you're caughtis a player catholic breaking those things
down and had another conversations, Andfor me, it came down to can
I want to play games? AndI could all of this work? You
know he did last I mean,god knows how many months that was for
a long off season, right,It's like, well, what did I
do all that for? So thenyou're thinking about the following year, and
I just I thought about it inthe way that Okay, if you know

(24:30):
I'm in line for a job withanother player, let's say, and he
set out and I played. Whereverthat may have been. I felt like
that was the advantage for me tosay, hey, I played games right.
It was better to play games enough, play teams and credit DCHL.
It was a pretty good league.I mean, I know that there wasn't
as many teams to play it,but it was a competitive playing to play

(24:52):
in the playoffs, meaningful hocke teamsat the end of the year like that.
You know, as you know,I don't look at all you're at
this age, you stopped developing.Like I felt that was good for my
development. Even at thirty two yearsold, I was able to go play
touch a cock, playing meaningful games. So all of that, as far
as me trying to get back towhere I want to be in the American
League, I think it's helping mycause. And when I was making a

(25:14):
decision and thinking about that, Iwas taking the point that teams looking at
me the following year would feel thatsame way. So that's to me is
what it came down to. Adut show for sure. How difficult do
you think it would have been asa player, You know, if you
didn't play this past season, youknow, to come back and get your
timing back and get back to gamespeed. I mean in normal times,

(25:36):
we hear a player who's out fora couple of weeks and they talk about
the adjustment to game speed. Again. I mean, if you sit out
for eighteen months, how big afactor is that as a player. I
mean, I think it's always goingto take some time, and I think
in that scenario will probably take alittle bit more time, right. I
mean, you can practice as hardas you on and you know you're playing
three on three and four on fouragainst guys in the summer, it's just

(26:00):
a different mentality when it's a gamescenario where there's more on the line,
spans in the building, you know, all of it, all of those
things that make a professional hockey andspecional lot game. Um. So yeah,
I mean, you know, youlook at how the NHL handle with
the prospects, whether it was sendingguy in Europe, um to make sure
you guys play in the American Theyunderstand the value of playing those games,

(26:21):
right, right, take it backthat it doesn't matter how old you are,
you need to play games are development. Of course you want practice reps,
of course you want to all that, but it's hard to represate those
gate life scenarios and those situations you'llsee the game. So, like I
said, it always takes you know, a week maybe a week and a
half beating the season again that feelingagainst me a game and I would back

(26:44):
to the going to be a littlebit longer, you know, three or
four weeks a month, take itback and sing, how did you find
it being able to go down thereand play a little bit of a different
role than you would get to playin the HL And I really you relied
on to be a guy that canproduce really at a point per game pace.

(27:06):
Uh, definitely. I mean thatfor me, it's something I've always
believed in myself and having um Soit was nice to reasserting that. I
guess right, like like I understandwhat my role in the American like for
sure, you know, secondary story, you know, powerful line of that
whole thing would have been an aregoal you know bul v I role and

(27:27):
to you know, do well onit. I was like, okay,
I can still do this, likejust a matter of getting the minute.
So it was good for me tosee that payoff. See some of the
things that I'm working out off theice, you know, wiring new skills,
you know, trying new things.It was exciting to be able to
okay, hey, here's your chanceto apply us to a game, to
see if what you've been working onfor those long works. And it did.

(27:48):
So It's like I said, itcouldn't been a better experience. It
got me excited to like keep onthat path of progressity, needing better.
And you know, I'm extended tothe next opportunity to come around, because
I think wherever I wind up,the team of reasoning will be happy and
they'll probably a little bit surprised.You know, yeah you got it.
Also got some playoff hockey in which, um, most players didn't you know,

(28:10):
you know in the American League.Um, what what was that like?
And how did that compare, youknow, maybe to a more typical
playoff. Um, it was soawesome. I mean it was an absolute
sprint. So if you know,you went into the finals, you're basically
playing every other day, and itwas, you know, a series of
week is what this is what theywere going and unfortunately we got knocked out
early. But just to be inthat environment, Um, it's been a

(28:33):
while for me, I think fouryears from the last fun was in the
playoffs, So just be in thatcompetitive environment. You're playing to win and
like so much is on the line, and we talked about it so much,
but you know that type of hockeyand that scenario, you know,
anytime the park, time you're stickthe games of the line, it just
it just felt good. It's oneof those things that you know after the
experience here, devastay, you lose, but then you can die just a

(28:56):
little bit. And I was like, man, I want to get back
there, like I won't. Iwant to have another shot comment and go
on a playoffs run. And Ithink that's another thing too, is your
getting older in your career is hasgone on. You know you you cherish
that type of stuff more than youknow necessarily the individual accolades, because you
understand that fond that is created witha team and your teammate. When you

(29:18):
have that type of when you thinkthat and you go on a playoff run,
it's it's just awesome, Like that'sby the train. As hard as
you do, when you go throughall this stuff, and you know,
you put up with the ups anddowns of the life of ocus for that,
so to get that past again andbeing that environment and again just motivation
to hopefully have a chance to doit again. So now that brings into
the offseason and you know free agencystarted last week and it's been kind of

(29:41):
up and down for some guys.Um, how's it been for you going
through this this you know, kindof the ups and downs of being an
Agel free agent. Yeah again,you know, like we talked about earlier
there, that's where some that anxietykicked in. I mean, it's about
managing that manage seen yourself and yourmotions and you know, kind of just

(30:03):
riding that way. Things are definitelydifferent. It's a different landscapes, Um,
what teams are looking for, moneythat's available, all those things have
changed a little bit. Um.So it's kind of just kind of put
yourself out there. You want tolend in a spot that they want you
as you want to be there,right And for me, it's kind of
just open hoping for the best situation. Uh. You know some of the

(30:26):
talks to you had earlier, therehas been some promising responses, but obviously
where that goes, time will sell, right, and I think that goes
to like okay, has some guysget done right away, but when they
seem to get to figure out whatthey have. They've got to figure out
the young guys, they've got tofigure those things out. And it's you
know a little bit of being patient, having good timing on it as far
as um when that call comes.I think that's that's another idea of this

(30:49):
whole thing, to going back tothe control controlables is Okay, I want
to be prepared when that call comes, Like I don't want to be caught,
you know, with my hat downand not ready enough pair and you're
rushing to get in shape whatever thatmay be. It's like, Okay,
there's the stuff I can't control,but I control how well i'm training and
help prepair and I am, solet me do that the best I can,

(31:10):
so when that call comes, Ihave the best chance to get an
opportunity. So that's definitely been mymindset going into it, and you know,
just kind of keep trying to keepthat positive attitude as far and you
know it's gonna work out. Someone'sgonna want to bring me in. You
know, there's a lot that Ibring to the table and I'm just hoping
to someone recognize that. I thinkthey will. How difficult is it to
be involved in something where there's onlyso much that you can do. Um.

(31:36):
You know, it's almost like ifyou're going for a job, you
can't be the person on the phoneevery day calling them and bothering them,
and yet you want to feel likeyou're being proactive. How do you how
do you strike that balance? That'sthat's probably the toughest part right there,
because you know, in this alite of work, there's a lot of
downtime and that means there's a lotof time with just you and your thoughts,

(31:56):
right so, especially as with allof us being competitors and you know,
just kind of aggressive people in thatregard, it's like, man,
I you know, I gotta bedoing that to be making this call,
I gotta do that. I gottado that. And that's a little bit
of a learning experience for me atthis point, is to learn how to
balance that and not be too muchof a past and understand that these teams

(32:17):
have their process that have to gothrough it. And you know it's so
cliche, but it's just okay,let's trust the process. Let's you know.
The main thing is is I wantto be fresh on these guys mind.
I want them thinking about me inthe meetings and then from there it
is out of my control and justhoping for the best. That's what happens,
right, And how much did playerssay, you know, kind of

(32:37):
have that that line of communication betweeneach other, you know, are you
hearing this or are you hearing that? You know, guys kind of maybe
treating tips and information that might comeacross uh, you know, their radar.
I think that type of conversations increasedthe last couple of years for sure.
I think it's it's great for theplayers to lean on each other,

(32:58):
right, Like where usually it's alldifferent agents and we all know a little
bit of different people and running differentcircles, so there's all kinds of different
information and that's out there, right, So if you can get a little
bit of an insight from another player, if you can get a little insight
from you, I think all ofthat stuff helps, right, Like,
you know, that's that is.Of course we're competing against each other for

(33:20):
spots to play and all that,but we are in this thing together.
I've definitely noticed that the last fearsof players doing that more right, And
it's like why not do that?Why not reach out? Hey, you
know, how's it going? Whatdo you hear and what's your talk like?
And then you can kind of geta feel engage for what your goals.
Right, So I definitely it's becomingmore normal for sure. Last thing,

(33:40):
Um, you know, as aplayer, what's your sales pitch to
a team out there that's looking for, you know, a spot to fill
and um, as you under consideration. Yeah, and I've kind of shot
this pitch out before, so Iguess I'm hopefully it sounds sounds as well
that when I when I type itout. But um, you know,

(34:00):
I think what I bring to thetable as far as on the ice,
off the ice stuff, Um,you know, I could play up and
down the line up. My versatilityis pretty high. I could play any
forward position. Um. The wayI play the game is how the game's
trending, you know, pluck,possession offensively, you know, carrying the
fuck those type of things. Soas far as young prospects get to play

(34:21):
with a good player, I thinkI fit that category pretty well. Helping
the on ice development and then theoff ice development, kind of that culture
setting mentality, teaching these guys tellthem become good pros. Um, you
know, just showing up every day, learning that consistency aspect, you know,
how you how you train, howyou take care of yourself, just
those small details that wind up goinga long way for a player's career.

(34:43):
Um. I think I do alot of that naturally, and you know,
I understand that that's a part ofmy role and I'm happy to take
on that mentor shift. Um.So that's kind of that's kind of that
sales pitch on that regard, andfor me personally, it's like I've got
a family, you know, I'vebeen chasing the contracts for years. I
want an opportunity where you know,I maybe have a chance to daring some

(35:04):
stability, you know, as mycareer goes on here. So I try
to keep it simple and short anduh, you know, I think that
summed it up as far as jumpingoff point. And then hey, if
joining podmore. You know, I'malways always trying to get the phone and
interact with us on social media,give us our thoughts using the hashtag around
the A and follow up at Aroundthe A Fox Thanks for staying with us

(35:34):
on this Around the A off seasonupdate along with Patrick Williams, I'm David
Foots and thanks to Terry Broad.I almost hit Austin Broadhurst because he used
to play like the bellboll bulls here. Terry Broadhurst for his time on the
program. Always nice to get someperspective from a guy who is, you
know, right deep in the situationsthat we're kind of talking about here on

(35:55):
the program. Absolutely Terry's uh,as I said, he's really well spoken
and he's honest. He gives kindof that that player perspective. It goes
beyond the cliches and and you knowthe typical things you hear from players.
I really get, you know,gives you a sentence to other players thinking.
It's almost it's funny, like it'salmost like a job search in regular

(36:19):
life. You're you're you're sending itout applications almost and um, you're following
up and you're interviewing and hum,all the things are going to landing the
quote unquote normal nine to five jobis in a sense, what what players,
especially veteran guys have to do withthis level. So, um,
it's certainly not the picture that's paintedfor NHL free agents where they kind of

(36:44):
get wind and dye and courted andeverything like that. It's a lot more
of a go through the grind typething for the veterans at this level.
And that's all the more true ofthis season where the market is as tough
as it is and there have stillbeen, you know, despite how tough
the market is, a lot ofsignings, a lot of movement in the

(37:06):
American Hockey League, and plenty ofguys who had real good seasons last year
have decided to relocate moved to otherteams. There's you know, far too
many for us to recap every singlemove that has been made. I know
on your Twitter at Pee Williams Ahl, you've been kind of following along fairly
closely with all of the transactions.But why don't we run down some of

(37:28):
the ones that stood out to yousome of the big surprises as far as
the guys who have have relocated andand what some of these you know,
bigger name Ahl signings could mean forthose clubs for sure. Let's let's start
out west the Atmospherd Cannucts, Vancouvermanagement and I think trying to really make
a good splash into that market rightoff the bat their first season in BC.

(37:52):
So they Brian in Kyle Burrows fromfrom Colorado, potential captain material right
there so that that at least solidifiesyour blue line and kind of deep crop
of forwards guys that can swing backand forth between the NHL roster and the
HLU. Sheldon dries u r offthe bat top top top and U two

(38:15):
way forward that can really bring youany anything you want into your lineup.
Sheldon Reppell good solid vent. NickBatan a good playmaker, told DIJUSEPPI actually
had a pretty good run with theRangers, uh this past season. John
Stevens as well, so a realbig start there in Abbots for his say,

(38:36):
you certainly want to make a goodfirst impression with that that new affiliation
and really bringing the fans early insteadof winning. Tone big start toward that.
Yeah, some some big names there. We know. Nick Batan has
had some uh you know, upand down seasons in the Toronto organization recently
where he almost cracked the the NHLroster on a regular basis. But for

(38:59):
the Marley's he was absolutely lights outand will certainly add some punch for them
up front. Still in the West, HL MVP TJ Tynan joins the Ontario
Rain, as does Garrett Sparks.That's a couple of big pickups, one
up front and one in the backend for the Ontario Rain Absolutely. I

(39:19):
mean TJ tynan uh. You speakto some people around the league, for
their money, the best player tothe league this past season, not just
who's the MVP. I mean theywere saying that before. He was top,
top, top playmaker, really thebest in the league for my money.
Guy who's want to call her Cup? Real, real hard pushing veteran
guy captain with this past season inColorado. So that's a huge acquisition for

(39:46):
Ontario. I think he'll challenge forplaying time with the LA Kings, but
with the setup they have there insouthern California, you'll probably see him go
back and forth a lot. Andthen Garrett Sparks, who won a called
Her Cup in twenty eighteen with theMarley's, was goalie the year that season,
had a fantastic playoff season. Hekind of rebounded this past year with

(40:10):
the stock to Heat. He hadto go on on a tryout really after
a couple of seasons in the Vegassystem. So he had a good bounced
back year with a really kind ofup and down team and got himself a
new contract with the LA teams.Yeah, and again, this is just

(40:30):
the tip of the iceberg of allthe moves that have been made over the
first month or so of free agency. You know, also out West Chicago
was busy, Colorado was busy.Henderson after their excellent debut season, adding
Derek Pouliott and Span Berchi. Thoseare some pretty big names to stick into

(40:50):
the lineup there. San Diego toolinga little bit with a new head coach
as well, which we'll talk aboutin a little bit, as they had
Broken Rafford who played last season inUtica. There's just been you know,
a real flurry of activity as theseteams tried to nail down as many players
as they can here early on inthe summer. Yeah, yeah, San

(41:13):
Diego, Yeah, they all everyyear they're in it. Uh. Anaheim
really makes a good push every season. Now you're bringing Joel Bouchard had to
run the bench there. Rafferty actuallyplayed, uh played mostly with Vancouver's taxi
squads, Great Potter and Danny O'regianwho was in Henderson, and then Buddy
Robinson who's been kind of an upand down player and hla Hl for the

(41:37):
past several seasons. So uh,really really good uh work by the Anaheim
Duffs for San Diego and uh,obviously you always had that recruiting tool.
Uh, come playing San Diego.That's going to be appealing to a lot
of people, Uh, you know, especially if you're a veteran guy and
you could have a little bit moresame where you go. H. So

(41:59):
yeah, a olds like they're goingto be a real strong team once again
this season, and interesting to seewhat the stock that heat did. We
mentioned Garrett Sparks is on the move. He was great for them in the
pandemic shortened season, but they've addeda new goaltender and Adam Warner. And
on the back end too, KevinGarvell, I think for me is a
great pick up for them. SteadyGuy solid back there, and Andy Wilinsky

(42:22):
and Nick de Simone good pickups onthe blue line as well in Stockton.
Yeah, a friend of the show, Brad Pascal system jam of the parent
Calgary Flames by Busy Guy early infree agency rebuilding that blue line. Stockton
had a tough run last year,a lot of youth, they had some
injuries hit them, so definitely akind of bulking him up that that back

(42:45):
end bringing in some real, realsolid goaltending help. It's a big,
big move for them. So they'relooking like a team. And I agree
with you about Garvell. He's aguy well surprised he hasn't stuck at the
NHL level. He looked like fora while that he would and he kind
of gotten on that up and downyo yo, so um. Maybe he

(43:07):
can make a breakthrough here with Calgaryas they're kind of rebuilding and reshuffling the
deck a little bit. But ifMott and he ends up in stock and
that's a big addition for the stockto team. Sure is the last Western
Conference Note is not a player leaving, but a player staying with a new
club. Michael Carconi, who hasbeen all over you know, Toronto,

(43:30):
Utica, Belleville. He was inTucson last season and really had a good
year for the Roadrunners and they've rewardedhim for that, a two year contract
for him and for a guy inin his position, you know, a
young kid, young family. Niceto have a little bit of steadiness in
the near future, at least witha two year deal. Yeah, that

(43:52):
was an interesting one because he washis un loan from the Nashville Predators to
Tucson because Nashville. The Waukee didnplay last year, so they sent some
players to Chicago Wolves, but theyhad some h some spare spare guys,
and Carconi was one of them.So he found the spot Tucson and obviously

(44:13):
impressed the Arizona Coyotes management there,so he you know, he was able
to almost really auditioned for two teamsat the same time directly, So um,
good good fit for him. Theyobviously like him. He was part
of one of the top lines inthe league last season, uh so,
and obviously he took well to thatenvironment. And m there's an opportunity with

(44:37):
the Arizona Coyotes. You know,obviously Bill Armstrong coming in as the general
manders season, there's been some overhaulinggoing on with the NHL roster, so
if you're coming in, you havea chance, I think, to break
through to the NHL roster, maybeget some games this season and then take
it from there. But I thinka really good fit for him. Like
you said, he's bounced around alot and never been able to stay put

(45:00):
for very long in one place.But I think this could be a good,
good set up for him to comeinto Tucson as a member of the
Arizona you know roster, you know, fifty man roster, and see where
it goes from there. I mean, an opportunity is everything. Sheldon Keith,

(45:20):
former head coach of the Marley's,would say that all the time that
this league offers opportunity. Here's anopportunity. Now it's up to Carconi to
take it and run with him.Yeah, and uh, you know,
from my experience dealing with him,he'll do that. I think he'll be
kind of buoyed by the fact thathe's got a little bit of stability and
that that team wants him around.They're not looking to ship him out quickly.

(45:43):
So that's a nice signing for him. Let's look at the Eastern Conference
a little bit. Pat the HersheyBears have, I mean, we shouldn't
be surprised. Absolutely loaded up withnames like Cody Friends and Matt Irwin,
Dylan mckel raff, Mike Leccioni,and of course Captain Matt Molson. There
they're putting themselves in a pretty goodspot to make life as easy as possible
for their incoming new head coach,who we will talk about in a few

(46:07):
moments. Yeah, Hershey Bears regularseason champs this past season, obviously an
abbreviated season, but still they weredominant and they've had a very very good
offseason. They retained most of theirtalents, haven't had any major losses other
than Phil my A. But nowthey bring in a guy like Beccioni who

(46:29):
can pick up a lot of thatslack, and then that blue line is
looking at excellent Cody France and thepotential I think any shot winner for the
Bears this season matter when played inthe HL. Last season, Malcael Rathwell
add some real, real heavy hittingbeef to that line, which perhaps they

(46:49):
didn't have enough of last season.They certainly have it now. It will
be very popular with the Hershey Bearsfans. They certainly like that physical presence
as most fan bases. So thisis a team that looks absolutely loaded us
Hershey's interesting because the past two seasonsthey easily could have been a Caller Cup

(47:10):
winner. They in the twenty nineteentwenty season they were neck and neck for
the Eastern Conference lead when the seasonstopped, and then last season, obviously
they won the regular season titles.So certainly a team that puts winning as

(47:30):
a as a top priority and youknow, this season is looking every bit
like they're trying to do the samething, especially with Matt Wilson now being
thirty seven years old. They're really, i think trying to win a Caller
Cup for him, possibly send himout on a winning note, and so
yeah, it's a great fit foreverybody and Hershey's looking very dangerous. Who

(47:51):
else has had a busy first monthof the off season for you, Yeah,
the usual suspects, not too surprising. The Syracuse Rune and Tampa Bay
brought back Gabrielle Dumont Charotte Houdon comingin, so he's a potential thirty forty
goal scorer under his suster Max legacy, so they're they're pretty solid upfront.

(48:14):
Grand Rapids bringing in Ryan Murphy whowon the Eddy Shore Winner Awards this past
season, with Henderson bringing back DanRanuff and Luke Widkowski to the Red Wayne
system, and then you kept Priantlash Off in school, so really really
good work by them. Steve Eisermanin Detroit's always prioritized the HL club and

(48:37):
not too surprising that he would dothat with Grand Rapids once again. Charlotte's
an interesting group because they have Floridaand Seattle for one season as parent clubs.
They brought in Zach Delpi, formerCarolina Hurricanes prospect coming back to Charlotte.
But now you're looking at Chris Gibsoncoming in uh In Nett and then

(49:01):
Seattle contributing Alex True and Connor Character, so some real depth there and HL
for HL MVP Jerry Mayhew going tothe Lehigh Valley Fantoms. It's part of
a big haul for them, sothey're gonna be a real challenger to the

(49:21):
Hershey Bears, I think. Andthen Springfield Thunderbirds and finally getting an underway
with their new filation with Saint Louis, So they bring in some real big
help on D with Tommy Cross,Klie Rosen, Charlie Lindren and Nette coming
over from Avale and then Matthew packupfrom Belleville and Nathan Todd who had a
fantastic season break up year with theManitoba Moose this past season. So,

(49:45):
um, yeah, there's some teamsthat are really, really eager and you
can tell that they want to comeback strong and really having a good start
to fore. Were you a littlesurprised that Nathan Todd didn't stay in in
Manitoba a little bit. Yeah,Yeah, it's such a nice fine with
him and then they don't keep him, so uh yeah, but it lay

(50:09):
like that. I mean, hesees this is he's coming off such a
good year. Um, do youhave an opportunity to get yourself an NHL
contract, to get yourself some decentmoney, you take it. And he's
going to go play in a goodsituation with some real good talent around him.
So you can see why it appealsto him. But yeah, I

(50:30):
didn't quite understand why Manitoba either didnot keep him or was not willing to
keep him. So yeah, definitelya tough loss for the Moose for sure.
And you mentioned Matthew Pecka leaving theBelvill Senators. Belvill's had a lot
of players leave, really a bigturnaround outside of you know, the core

(50:53):
prospects, um, you know,the guys like Angus Krookshank and you Gor
Soccolob, et cetera. But theydid add some veteran guys to Troy Mann
had said right near the end ofthe season that he had a wish list
of players, and they were ableto address a little bit of that wish
list here at least as they bringin Andrew Agazino, Pontis Aberg, Dylan

(51:15):
Heatherington and Cole Sherwood as well.So those are veteran guys who should do
a nice job at supporting that youngcore in Belville. Yeah, I mean
you start with Acusing, you know, a fantastic player, point per game
guy. Um not a big guythat plays kind of a feisty game,
hippy game. So if if heactually does end up in Bellville, I

(51:37):
think he'll be a fantastic addition tothe Lamp. I think there's a decent
chance he could stick in Ottawa,you know, dependent on how things shake
on training camp. But if not, that's a huge addition for Belville.
And uh, you know guy highlyrespected, potential captain type player, a
guy that I know it was indemand from a lot of NHL teams really

(51:59):
wanted him him, and Belleville andOttawa we're able to land him. Yeah,
and again some nice experience there.As speaking of experience, Bridgeport Islanders
bring in some experience with Chris TerryLaval loading up again after their excellent season
that they had last year, addingJSD among others. That's going to be

(52:22):
a nice signing for them. AProvidence gets a proven goaltender in Troy gross
Nick to add to their roster,and I mean the list goes on and
on and on. Teams have beenvery busy over the last few weeks.
Absolutely Rochester adds Michael or I shouldsay it retains Michael Mersh so I think
he'll be their captain. Highly high. They respected the veteran guy who's good

(52:45):
for twenty goals a season. Prettymuch pedal made for twenty goals in it.
I thought Utica was the Muttician obviouslybeing up in this past season had
all kinds of problems. They're bringingin new affiliate in Utica, the new
jerseys, so they're trying to comein big, and they brought in Chase
de Leio, hard working, he'llbe a fan favorite there if he is

(53:07):
actually with Utica. Robbie Russo goodsolid puck moving defenseman, Joe Gambardella good
veteran forward. And Brian Flynn whohad a good run a couple of years
ago with the Texas Stars, playedin Switzerland the past a couple of seasons,
but guys has some NHL games,so we're real good haul, real
good depth additions there for the Uticacomments, plenty of player moves. Again,

(53:32):
Pat's been following along on social mediaat pee williams Ahl. You can
let us know as well if wemissed a big signing or if your team
made a big signing that you're excitedabout, to get at us on social
media at around the aplot. Andwhile you're listening as well, please don't
forget to a rate and subscribe tothe podcast as well, especially during the

(53:53):
off season. Pat, when we'renot doing our weekly shows, we're kind
of compiling as much as we canand over a couple of weeks and then
spitting out episodes when when we can. So be sure to follow along.
Make sure you don't miss an episodebecause there is lots happening still over the
course of the summer. Yeah,it's really a eleven or maybe even twelve

(54:17):
month year business. Now. It'sreally there is no true off season anymore.
Maybe in a few quiet weeks ata time. But as we've seen,
i mean the past month, Imean we've had really just a onslaught
of news, uh, you know, both in terms of player personnel,

(54:37):
but also leap business scheduling, playoffsystems, everything, Uh, so um,
really, there's no there's no breakanymore. And uh, that's why
we have such a busy show thisweek. Yeah, it has been.
We recapped all that free agency newsfor you. We talked about the schedule
and the playoff format earlier on aswell, and again, if you've got

(55:01):
feedback on the show or on anythingwe've talked about, we'd love to hear
from you at around the apod onsocial media. As much as there has
been a lot of player movement,pat a lot of coaching movement through the
early part of the off season here. So we're going to recap some of
the major coaching moves, four ofthem really, and let's go back to

(55:22):
Hershey. We talked earlier about howthey've kind of bolstered their line up a
little bit more with the departure ofSpencer Carbore. He headed to Toronto where
he will join Sheldon Keith's Toronto MapleLeaf staff. But Hershey Bears waste no
time tapping Stott Allen to take thereins down there. Yes, Alan really

(55:44):
interesting joy three five years in thehockey business, both as a player and
as a as a coach, sixseasons of NHL assistant coaching experience, but
also that means twenty nine seasons downat the minor league level, and you
know, he goes way back.First played actually the first season in ECHL,
back in nineteen eighty eight eighty nine, played in the Colonial League,

(56:09):
played what was the former ACHL,which was the predecessor of the ECHL,
So he goes way back. He'sa guy who's been grinding for years now.
He walked into a situation with theHershey Bears where he was an assistant
coach, so it's pretty familiar territoryfor both him and for the Bears,
and he's gonna have a top,top club with which to work, so

(56:32):
it's a it's a really good fitfor him. UM, a guy who's
he's had a little bit of acouple of cups of coffee as a head
coach at the HL level, butfor the most part, this will be
his first, um I think hisbest opportunity that he's had, and so
it's a it's a big edition bothfor him and for the Bears, as

(56:53):
I think will be one of theCaller Cup favorites season. Yeah, I
heard she also adding Steve Bergen asan assistant coach. He spent last season
as an assistant at Sacred Heart University, so wasting no time in filling that
gap left by Spencer Carberry. Anduh, I mean, we've talked about
the Hershey Bears in their coaching situationa lot on this show over its first

(57:15):
two seasons, and those are somefairly big shoes to film. Yeah,
Carberry, it was. It wasa major loss for the Bears, There's
no way around it. He actuallysigned an extension back in April, a
multi year extension to stay with thewith Hershey and with Washington, and then
the Leaves came college in July,and he took that opportunity obviously, and

(57:38):
and so that's that's a big gloss. But I think the Bears have bounced
back really well, and um,you know, their team that's going for
it. They've, like I said, in the past two seasons kind of
been a little bit of a frustratingsituation for them in the sense that they
could have won a called Her Cupin both years, and because the circumstances

(57:59):
beyond on anyone's control, they didnot. So they're coming back again.
They're gonna give it another shot witha very deep team and they're been upbringing
in a head coach um should bea pretty seamless transition with his familiarity with
with Hershey. Uh. And forhim it's a you know, it's a
big opportunity. Guy who's been grindingaway for years and years and years.

(58:22):
This will be his first time reallyin the twenty years that he is a
head coach. I hit a littlebit of a quick stand with the Portland
Pirates back in the twenty sixteen,but for the most part he's been an
assistant guys. Now he has achance to run his own show and do
so with a really good staff there. So um, yeah, it's a

(58:43):
great fit for him. I mean, if ever you're going to take a
head coaching opportunity, this is oneof the plumb jobs to take. And
uh, full grant to him.A guy who's been grant grinding away forever.
Uh, you know really, youknow, true hockey life and every
sense, and now he has whatmaybe is the premier job in the entire
American hockey Yeah, so big shoesto fill, but up to the challenge.

(59:08):
I would imagine if Scott Allen ashe takes over behind the bench of
the Hershey Bears, the other bighead coaching change is in Utica, where
the comments so will welcome in KevinDeneen, who left the San Diego Galls
Utica needing to fill that vacancy.And we're gonna get twisted up in the
whole relocation stuff because the New JerseyDevils promoted Binghamton coach Mark Denny he up

(59:32):
to the front office and then ofcourse the team moved from Binghamton' to Utica
and that's where we settle here.But I mean, what a what a
stroke of luck almost for the Devil'sorganization to get a coach like Kevin Deneen
that can come in at a timewhere there's a little bit of instability in
the organization, just in the sensethat they're moving to a new home and

(59:55):
may mean perfect fit almost you wouldthink to take over at this time.
Oh, absolutely perfect fit. Imean, what did you guy to have
come on the market? Guy who'splayed nineteen seasons in the NHL's the captain,
won a Stanley Cup with the ChicagoBlackhawks as assistant coach. He's been
a head coach in Florida. Wonthe gold metter medal in twenty fourteen with

(01:00:20):
the women's team with Canada. SoI mean, really, you go up
and down that resume. Studs inAmerican Hockey League experience two seasons now coming
off with the San Diego Galls,and now I watched into Unicas So I
mean, if you're the Utica commentsat the New Jersey Devil, sea're extremely
happy with how this transpired and it'llbe a great fit there in Unica.

(01:00:44):
A he really stresses the community aspect, which which is made in that market,
such a small market, they reallyhave to hustle. He gets that,
so he's he's good in that sense. And then his teams always play
hard, always playing tense, justlike he did as a player. And

(01:01:06):
you can see kind of the teamthat they're trying to build there in Utica.
You're bringing in guys like Chase deLeo, Gamberdella Russo, guys that
play hard. So um, youknow, in that little building there,
that little barn in Utica, thatshould be a really really intimidating place to
play. I think for divisiting teams. I think it's huge for New Jersey.

(01:01:28):
I mean, they've had such adifficult time with their American League team
now League for the better part oftwenty years. You know, they've bounced
around from one market to the next. They not really had a lot of
winning seasons, much of a playofftradition, so to speak. I mean,
and that's such a market difference fromwhat they had in the nineteen nineties

(01:01:50):
with New Jersey Devils. I meanthat American Hockey League pipeline that they had
there that produced Sheldon's Horey and Patrickmark Tambro drawing right on down the list
and really built that three time winningStanley Cup winning club in New Jersey.
I mean that started with the AmericanHockey League. It really went all the

(01:02:10):
way back to the Utica Devils inearly nine. So you know they're trying
to I think, recapture some ofthat formula, and it starts with a
great head coach and Kevin Deneen Sarneywould fit that bill, yeah he would.
And kind of interested to see howhe transitions back from the West Coast
and you know that kind of biggermarket San Diego area into that small town

(01:02:35):
of Utica, like you say,and just a little bit more intrigue to
watch as the comments turned their colorsto a black and red and move forward
with their new partnership with the NewJersey Devils. Last two coaching notes we
have are assistant coaching changes, butstill I think in the grand scheme of
things, pat relatively big moves asfar as you know, adding stability and

(01:03:00):
and leadership to these franchises. Let'sstart in Rochester where the Amerks will add
Mike Peca as an assistant coach.Obviously a well known name around the Buffalo
organization after his playing time here.I mean, we saw just what over
a year ago when Buffalo had theircomplete clear out of their front office and

(01:03:20):
uh, you know it was allleft kind of in upheaval. Interesting to
me that they bring in such afamiliar face to fill a player development role
within the organization. Yeah, andwhat it am? I mean? Fifteen
years in the NHL captain the Sabers, I mean, a guy who who
whose name carries a lot of weightboth Buffalo and Rochester. You know,

(01:03:46):
he worked with the Washington Coppeles thispast season, so he really got a
taste of what a really strong developmentsystem looks like. So great higher,
I mean, really had to feelfor seth Appert in Rochester this past season,
a rookie head coach coming in andthe Americists had all kinds of problems,

(01:04:08):
largely because of the situation in Buffaloconstantly having players being pulled up to
the NHL roster. They had aCOVID situation, they had injuries, and
you name it. Seth Appert hadhad had to deal with this past season,
I think it would be that muchbetter a coach having gone through it.
But now you bring in another anotherbig piece of help for him that,

(01:04:32):
you know, just build that system. I mean, it's going to
start in Rochester. If the BuffaloSabers are going to eventually find their way,
as we've seen with the Tampa BayLightning and the Washington Capital was all
the strong NHL clubs out there,it all starts with the American Mocke League
team and building a deep foundation atdeep base. You know that avisually,

(01:04:55):
if all go well, moves upto the NFL. And so for Buffalo
that definitely be true. And youknow, seth Appert is probably one of
the most important people in that Buffalosystem. Mike Peca certainly as well.
And that's why signing someone like MikeMersh to be a good veteran down there

(01:05:16):
potential captain's a big It's a bigstart there for the amer Tendant. By
extension for the Buffalo Sabers. Yeah, huge ad there as Mike Peca joins
the staff in Rochester and then inBridgeport, the New York Islanders naming Rick
Kowalski as an assistant coach. He'sbeen with the New Jersey Devils for the
past three seasons after coaching the Devil'sAHL affiliates in Albany and Binghamton, guiding

(01:05:42):
them to a three Calder Cup playoffappearances in twenty fourteen, sixteen and seventeen.
He was the league's most Outstanding Coachin twenty fifteen sixteen. So again
we're seeing assistant coaches with some pedigreecoming into to shore things up behind the
bench. Absolutely. Yeah, Imean Kowalski very familiar with the lamarlo Um

(01:06:04):
family, both in terms of Louand Chris Lamarlo and Bridge Sports. Uh,
they go way way back, evento the ec HL days in Trenton.
So um, Kuwalski is one ofthe few people that's been able to
have some success guiding New Jersey HLclub. Like you said, those three

(01:06:25):
playoff appearances, Uh, you know, Standing Coach Award. He has some
good run there and now he's gonnabe assistant coach and kind of worked his
way back up the ladder a littlebit. Uh. Um. Bridgeport's trying
to get their their footing once again. They've they've had some something of a
tough year this past season, uh, for sure, um, and uh

(01:06:47):
a few changes behind the bench HEric Bogan, Niki and uh Matt Cartner
had been there. So how youbring in a guy like Kauwalski uh to
help? And yeah, this isa really good edition. I think,
you know, the more help youcan get on the American Hockeleague bench the

(01:07:08):
better, especially a team like theothers who are trying to really retool some
things there in Bridgeport obviously, andKalski I think will certainly be a big
addition for that team. Yeah,absolutely will. So those are some of
the big coaching changes throughout the courseof the off season so far. Again,
Pat's Twitter at pee williams Ahl alwaysbreaking the latest news and notes from

(01:07:32):
around the league. Again, we'renot committing to the weekly episodes at this
point of the summer, Pat,but over the next couple of weeks,
let's say, what are some ofthe next things we're looking for because we've
got scheduled out, we've got playoffformat out, we've got free agency wide
open and rolling along. What elseis there for us to look forward to

(01:07:53):
as we count down towards the preseasonand the regular season in just over a
month and a half or so.Yeah, I mean, I would say
free agency is still very much mymain target. Uh. You look at
who's still out there. I mean, goaltenders Jam Rube, Antoine Bibo,

(01:08:14):
Zaine McIntyre, guys that have beenproving guys at this level. You know,
that's just in that and you knowit's on the defensemen that are out
there, Camera gons Um, youknow, Seth Helgerson. And then forwards,
I mean you have the leading scoreof the league last year, Andrew
Padrowski, who's still free agents.Um, still hanging around out there at
Ben Street another guy, uh,and then a slow veteran guys like Terry

(01:08:39):
Brodhurs like Mitchard and uh, guysthat have improven assets at this level.
So that that's for me still wherethe main focus is. Uh. And
then you know we're really only amonth and change away from the prospect tournaments,
and then you get into a fullblown training camp and where you know

(01:09:00):
it, we're in preseason and thentheir egular season. We're only about a
little more than two months out nowat this point, so the summers are
moving quickly. So I would sayif you want to have a little bit
of summer an, you better geton it right now because before you go
on the hockey season, we'll beright upon us. Yeah, it's right
around the corner again. October fifteenthis opening night around the American Hockey League.

(01:09:24):
We will continue to do our bestto keep you up to date on
any breaking news throughout the course ofthe summer. Again, subscribe to the
podcast right now wherever you're listening,throw us a rating as well, follow
us on social media at around theapod make sure we don't miss an episode.
For now, we'll wrap things up, thanks again to Terry Broadhurst and

(01:09:45):
you for listening, and yeah,we'll talk to you next time on our
next offseason update on Around the End. This has been an Around the A
offseason update on the sports podcasting network. Damp to date on the latest news
and notes from the American Hockey Leagueby subscribing to Around the A wherever you
get your podcasts and find us onsocial media at around the A five h