Category Archives: Pro
NHL debut behind him, Comrie focuses on working to return
May 17th, 2017With three seconds left, Eric Comrie could exhale for what seemed like the first time in two days. The goaltender shot the puck to the corner of the rink at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and did an uncharacteristic fist pump, his first NHL victory secure in his debut for the Winnipeg Jets, a nail-biting…
Barracuda, Gulls advance to AHL Pacific Division Finals
May 5th, 2017The American Hockey League’s (AHL) best-of-five Calder Cup Pacific Division semifinal playoff series came down to dramatic deciding fifth games on May 2. The top-seeded San Jose Barracuda and second-seeded San Diego Gulls both survived elimination to advance to the division finals and, in the process, remain in the chase for this year’s Calder Cup…
Kings promote Stevens to serve as new head coach
April 24th, 2017The LA Kings and John Stevens have agreed to contract terms for Stevens to serve as the club’s new head coach. The announcement was made Sunday by Kings VP-GM Rob Blake. Stevens has most recently served as the club’s associate head coach and has been part of the Kings coaching staff the past seven seasons….
Calder Cup playoff matchups set for California AHL quartet
April 21st, 2017The San Jose Barracuda, San Diego Gulls and Stockton Heat all turned in record-breaking seasons to secure berths in this year’s American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup playoffs. They join the Ontario Reign in the upcoming Pacific Division semifinals. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE The Barracuda recorded the second-best record in the AHL this season, but…
Ducks break ground, kick start new era of hockey in SoCal
April 11th, 2017Hockey in Southern California is finally receiving the long-awaited boost it deserves. For years, the hockey community has grown rapidly in the region. However, the amount of ice sheets has not. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE “What’s limiting the participation in all of those (hockey) programs that we have is availability of ice time,” Anaheim Ducks…
Newport Beach’s Comrie making his mark in AHL
April 4th, 2017Newport Beach’s Eric Comrie appears to have a promising career ahead of him in the National Hockey League. He’s already made his mark in the American Hockey League, the second best pro hockey league in the world. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE An Edmontonian by birth but a Californian by choice, the 21-year-old goaltender for the…
Kerdiles becomes first local product to play for NHL’s Ducks
March 21st, 2017As California commutes to work go, Nic Kerdiles’ on Feb. 22 wasn’t bad. Recalled by the Anaheim Ducks the day before, Kerdiles, who grew up in Irvine, had a short drive to Anaheim for a morning skate and evening game against the Boston Bruins. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE In the process, he became the first…
AHL’s California teams driving toward Calder Cup playoffs
March 21st, 2017Trading deadlines have passed in both the National Hockey League (March 1) and American Hockey League (March 8). Parent clubs have had a chance to help both themselves as well as their affiliates with last-minute trades to fortify rosters for playoff stretch drives. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE AHL teams have also attempted to fine-tune their…
Escondido native Ortega heads home, signs AHL contract with San Diego
March 20th, 2017University of Nebraska-Omaha senior forward Austin Ortega has signed an amateur tryout contract with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League. Ortega recently completed his eligibility for the Mavericks. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE He was one of four finalists for the NCHC Forward of the Year and was a member of the NCHC…
Record point streaks boost AHL’s Gulls, Barracuda
February 21st, 2017The push for the Calder Cup playoffs traditionally begins after the American Hockey League’s midseason All-Star Classic. Please forgive the San Diego Gulls and San Jose Barracuda for getting a head start. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE The Gulls took a nine-game (8-0-0-1) point streak into the All-Star break and added three more wins to record…