Hell on Skates to close, but coverage continues at timesunion.com

Hello everyone,

It is with mixed emotions that I make the following announcement: Hell on Skates will be discontinued effective immediately so that I may blog exclusively for Hockey Spoken Here at timesunion.com.

Hell on Skates launched in June, and since that time I have worked tirelessly to bring you up-to-the-minute news on the Albany Devils and former Albany River Rats, enjoying every moment along the way.

A few weeks ago I was chatting with Pete Dougherty of the Times Union about our individual blogs, and he noted that they appeal to the same audience (pro-hockey fans in Albany). It was then that Pete suggested I consider becoming a guest blogger for Hockey Spoken Here, which would allow me to continue blogging about the Devils on the newspaper's website, and (let's face it) reach a significantly larger audience.

Needless to say, I have jumped at the opportunity.

For now, I will leave Hell on Skates intact in case I have to reference transactions from earlier this summer, but moving forward I hope you will join me at Hockey Spoken Here for continued coverage of the Albany Devils, as well as the players that have called Albany home during their professional careers.

Thank you, and I hope to see you at timesunion.com!

Sincerely,
Don Ferlazzo
Editor (retired), Hell on Skates


Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow Don Ferlazzo at http://blog.timesunion.com/hockey/ or on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Former Devils d-man Olivier Magnan-Grenier released by KHL team

According to Dmitry Chesnokov of the popular Puck Daddy blog, former Albany Devils defenseman Olivier Magnan-Grenier has been released by the Kontinental Hockey League's Dinamo Minsk. From Chesnokov's Twitter account:

dchesnokov Dmitry Chesnokov

After signing tryout contracts with Olivier Magnan-Grenier and Stephen Dixon, KHL's Dinamo Minsk decided not to make them permanent

Magnan-Grenier, who played 50 games for Albany last season, signed a tryout with Dinamo Minsk last month. He also appeared in 18 games for New Jersey in 2011-12.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Devils sign defenseman Peter Harrold

According to Capgeek.com and the New Jersey Devils' official website the team has signed free agent defenseman Peter Harrold to a one-year, two-way contract. Tom Gulitti has more:

The deal has an NHL salary of $550,000 and AHL salary of $105,000.

Harrold, 28, played 19 NHL games for the Kings last season, putting up one goal and three assists and has eight goals and 18 assists in 164 career regular season NHL games. The Kings signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2006 after his four-year career at Boston College, where he was team captain.

Although Harrold was on the Kings’ roster for all of the 2010-11 season, he played in only game after Jan. 6. He was listed as healthy the entire season.

The Devils have announced nothing about signing Harrold (6-0, 184), but he is listed on their team website (as some of you noticed).

Harrold's two-way contract suggests he may be Albany-bound for 2011-12, but his 164 games of NHL experience make him an asset to the organization, should New Jersey require defensive reinforcement this coming season.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Devils sign goaltending prospect Maxime Clermont

According to Jérôme Bérubé from hockeydraftvideo.com, the New Jersey Devils have signed goaltending prospect Maxime Clermont to an entry-level contract. From Bérubé's Twitter account:

Jay_hdv Jérôme Bérubé

@CalDevil3219 well here some news for ya. Maxime Clermont sign his ECL deal with NJ.

Other than the resulting chatter on Twitter and Devils message boards, there have been no other reports of the signing (UPDATE: signing confirmed), but Clermont himself did express his readiness to turn pro in a July 7 interview with NHL.com (via foxnews.com):

"I want to play in the NHL; that's why I'm here and that's why I wake up every day," Clermont told NHL.com. "It's the job I want to have, but I have to go step by step. Now I feel I'm ready to turn pro. I've played four years of junior and I think it's enough for me. I have to show them what I can do."

If the Devils have indeed signed Clermont the question becomes where he ends up playing in 2011-12. Goaltender Jeff Frazee is expected to play in Albany next season, as is former Union College gatekeeper Keith Kinkaid. 

The Devils no longer have an East Coast Hockey League affiliate, but can loan players under contract to any ECHL team that will take them, which may be the best/only option for Clermont in 2011-12 if he really has turned pro with New Jersey. 

Clermont was selected by the Devils in the 6th round, 174th overall in the 2010 NHL entry draft. He's played the last four seasons with the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. 

UPDATE: Tom Gulitti has confirmed that Clermont has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Devils, noting that the goaltender would be eligible to return to the QMJHL for another season or play in the minors in 2011-12.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way. 

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Former Rats goalie Peter Sidorkiewicz invited to attend Ottawa Senators 20th anniversary home opener

Retired goaltender Peter Sidorkiewicz, who played for the Albany River Rats in the 1990s, is among those players invited to attend the Ottawa Senators' 2011-12 home opener in celebration of the team's 20th anniversary.

Sidorkiewicz was the Sens' goaltender for their inaugural game, a 5-3 victory over the visiting Montreal Canadiens on October 8, 1992, and played the majority of the team's games that season. From the Ottawa Sun:

The Senators are celebrating their 20th anniversary in style.

Fans will have to wait to see if roster changes are enough to get the club back into the playoffs. But they won’t have to wait long for a special blast from the past.

All the players from the roster of the franchise’s inaugural game are being invited back to be introduced before the home opener, Oct. 11 against the Minnesota Wild.

Sidorkiewicz played 152 regular season games for the Rats between 1993-94 and 1997-98, putting up a record of 77 wins, 52 losses, and 19 ties (yes, they had ties back then). He retired after the 1997-98 season, and has been coaching with the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters since 1999 (save for 2001-02).

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Former Rats, Devils d-man Colin White lands in San Jose

Just one day after being bought out by the New Jersey Devils, former Albany River Rats defenseman Colin White has landed on his feet, signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the NHL's San Jose Sharks.

Prior to today's signing, White had spent his entire 13-year pro career in the Devils organization, playing much of his first three seasons in a Rats uniform. Between 1997-98 and 1999-00, White appeared in 205 games for Albany, recording 10 goals and 46 assists during that time.

White would go on to play 743 regular season games and 111 playoff contests with New Jersey, winning Stanley Cups with the Devils in 2000 and 2003.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

A look at former Albany River Rats still in the Devils organization

With the off-season trades of Brian Rolston and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, and the recent buyout of Colin White, the number of former Albany River Rats playing in the Devils organization is dwindling. Here's a look at who's left:

Patrik Elias (134 games from 1995-96 to 1997-98)
Cam Janssen (96 games between 2004-05 and 2005-06)
Zach Parise (73 games in 2004-05)
David Clarkson (56 games in 2005-06)
Mark Fraser (4 games in 2005-06)
Stephen Gionta (3 games in 2005-06)
Travis Zajac (2 games in 2005-06)

Chris Murray also played for the Albany River Rats (13 games in 2007-08), but as a prospect of the Carolina Hurricanes, plus he is not under contract for the 2011-12 season according to capgeek.com.

Did I miss anyone? Comment below or let me know on Twitter @HellOnSkates and I will update the post.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

After clearing waivers, White and Hunter bought out by Devils (updated)

Having gone unclaimed during the 24-hour waiver period, recently acquired forward Trent Hunter and former Albany River Rats defenseman Colin White have been bought out by the New Jersey Devils.

Hunter, who was acquired last week in a trade with the New York Islanders for former Rats forward Brian Rolston, carries a buyout price of $2,666,667, which will be spread over four seasons.

White, who played a total of 205 games for Albany between 1997-98 and 1999-2000, carries a buyout price of $2 million spread over two seasons.

With the buyouts now completed, both players become unrestricted free agents.
 
Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Devils place Trent Hunter, former Rats d-man Colin White on waivers

After re-signing former Albany River Rats star Zach Parise to a one-year, $6 million contract on Friday, the New Jersey Devils have reportedly placed newly acquired forward Trent Hunter and former Rats defenseman Colin White on waivers today.

The moves could be a precursors to buying both players out, should they go unclaimed in the waiver process.

Having settled their final pending arbitration case with the signing of Parise on Friday, the Devils have begun a 48-hour buy out period starting today, according to Tom Gulitti. In order to buy out a player, a team must first place that player on waivers. If that player isn't claimed by another NHL team his contract may be bought out by his current team, saving them money and salary cap space in the processes

Hunter was acquired just days ago in a trade that saw former Rats forward Brian Rolston heading to the New York Islanders.

White, who played parts of three seasons with Albany between the 1997-98 and 1999-00 seasons, has been a life-long Devil, winning two Stanley Cup championships with New Jersey (2000 and 2003) since being drafted by the team in 1996.

UPDATE: It has been confirmed that New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello plans to buy out both contracts if the players clear waivers. Tom Gulitti has more:

If either player clears waivers at noon Tuesday without being bought out, the Devils would be able to buy them out at two third the total remaining value on their contract over twice the remaining years.

For White, the buyout would be $2 million with the cap hit spread over two years—or $1 million per year. For Hunter, the buyout price would $2,666,667 with the cap hit spread over four seasons—or $666,667 per season.

In total, the Devils would save $3,333,333 in cap space in the 2011-12 season. They already have approximately $2.5 million in cap space (depending upon which players are on the roster).

Gulitti goes on to point out that with White gone, the Devils will have only two members of the 2003 Stanley Cup championship team on their roster next season, including franchise goaltender Martin Brodeur and former Albany River Rats forward Patrik Elias.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Devils defenseman Maxim Noreau signs in Switzerland

According to eliteprospects.com, which cites an Italian language article on ticinonews.ch, New Jersey Devils prospect Maxim Noreau has signed with Ambrì-Piotta of the Swiss National League A for the upcoming season. From ticinonews.ch (translated by yahoo):

According to made positive announcement from Lombardic it concerns the aliens: Maxime Noreau and the Erics Landry will be respective the fourth and fifth alien of the next season.

The Canadian defender, 24 years, has signed a valid contract for a year. Noreau arrives from the New Jersey Devils, but it has played last the four seasons with the mesh from the Houston Aeros, finalist the past year of the championship American AHL. To Houston he has played 279 left in AHL, 50 nets and 111 asisst. A good booty insomma for a defender.

Noreau was acquired by the Devils from the Minnesota Wild in a June 16th trade which saw former Albany Devils forward David McIntyre going the other way. The Devils had been working on a new contract with the restricted free agent, but it appears Noreau has decided to play in Switzerland rather than take his chances at Devils training camp later this summer.

UPDATE: According to Tom Gulitti, New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello has stated that he believes Noreau has indeed signed to play in Switzerland next season, so the initial reports appear to be true.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Devils re-sign former Rats star Parise to one-year deal

Per TSN, the New Jersey Devils re-signed former Albany River Rats star Zach Parise to a one-year, $6 million contract on Friday, avoiding a pending arbitration hearing that was scheduled for later this week.

Although the two sides had been working on a multi-year contract since Parise became a restricted free agent on July 1st, Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello explained that a one-year agreement was reached in order to avoid the upcoming hearing, and a multi-year contract extension is still in the works. Tom Guilitti has more:

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said the sides will continue to work with Parise toward a long-term agreement. According to the collective bargaining agreement, Parise will not be allowed to sign a contract beginning in the 2012-13 season until Jan. 1, 2012. The sides can negotiate and agree upon a deal before then, but they cannot sign it or make it official.

Parise, who turned 27 on Thursday, remains eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2012.

“Once you go to arbitration, you can only get a one-year situation in this case,” Lamoriello said. “So, really what we have done is avoid arbitration by settling on one year with the understanding and intent to take whatever time is necessary to get a long-term deal.”

With the NHL season canceled due to the 2004-05 lockout, Parise spent his first pro season with the River Rats, registering 18 goals and 40 assists over 73 games for Albany. He joined the Devils the following season and has been one of their top players ever since, recording 163 goals and 178 assists for 341 points over 420 games for New Jersey between 2005 and 2011.

Parise's best offensive season came in 2008-09 when he put up 45 goals and 49 assists for 94 points in 82 games for the Devils. Last season he appeared in only 13 games for New Jersey, recording just 3 goals and 3 assists during a season plagued by a knee injury which required surgery.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Former Devils/Rats forward Mike Danton signs in Sweden

As announced on his Twitter account (and confirmed by TSN), former New Jersey Devils and Albany River Rats forward Mike Danton has signed a professional contract with the Swedish team IFK Ore.

Don't recognize the name Mike Danton? Maybe it's because he only played one season with the River Rats, and it was under a different name.

Going by his original birth name of Mike Jefferson, the young prospect appeared in 69 games for the Rats in 2000-01, registering 19 goals and 15 assists for Albany before changing his last name to Danton in an effort to distance himself from his estranged family.

After his time with the Rats, Danton appeared in 17 games for the Devils and was suspended twice by the team (once for refusing a demotion to Albany) before being shipped to St. Louis for a third round draft pick in 2002.

Almost two years later Danton made headlines again when he was arrested by the FBI in a murder-for-hire plot. He was eventually convicted and served time in prison, but made his return to hockey with St. Mary's University in Halifax in early 2010.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Devils add Barr as assistant, finalizing NHL coaching staff

As reported by Tom Gulitti, former New Jersey Devils forward Dave Barr has been named the team's newest assistant coach, finalizing their NHL coaching staff.

Barr, who last played in the NHL with the Dallas Stars in 1993-94, played parts of two seasons with the Devils between 1991 and 1993, registering 12 goals and 20 assists over 103 games for New Jersey.

He also appeared in nine games for the AHL's Adirondack Red Wings during the 1989-90 season, recording one goal and 14 assists during that time.

An assistant with the Minnesota Wild the last two seasons, Barr joins fellow assistants Adam Oats and Larry Robinson, as well as goaltending coach (and one-game River Rats goalie) Chris Terreri in New Jersey for the 2011-12 season.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Devils sign left wing Stephane Veilleux

As reported by Tom Gulitti, the New Jersey Devils have signed free agent forward Stephane Veilleux to a one-year, two-way contract. 

The signing was initially reported by Renaud Lavoie of RDS in Canada, For what it’s worth, I have confirmed the signing through a source. The Devils still have announced nothing regarding Veilleux.

The deal carries an NHL salary of $525,000 and an $85,000 signing bonus.

Veillleux, 29,  last played in the NHL in 2009-10 with Tampa Bay and registered three goals, six assists and 48 penalty minutes in 77 games.

With the exception of last season when he played in Finland and Switzerland, Veilleux has been a consistent NHLer with the Minnesota Wild and Tampa Bay since the 2005-06 season. His stats seemed to dip while playing overseas (Veilleux only registered 1 goal and 6 assists in a combined 32 games between two teams), but his NHL experience makes him an asset to the Devils organization, no matter if he ends up in New Jersey or Albany in 2011-12.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

NJ Devils trade former Rats forward Brian Rolston to Islanders

As announced on the New Jersey Devils' official Twitter account just moments ago, the team has traded forward Brian Rolston to the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Trent Hunter.

A first round draft pick of New Jersey in 1991, Rolston spent parts of ten seasons in the Devils organization, playing for the Albany River Rats between 1993 and 1995. He recorded 5 goals and 5 assists in 17 games during their inaugural season in Albany, and played an additional 18 games for the Rats the following season, registering 9 goals and 11 assists before joining the Devils for their 1995 Stanley Cup championship run.

Rolston's time with the Devils seemed to come to an end during the 1999-2000 season when he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for former Devil Claude Lemiuex, but he re-joined the team eight seasons later, signing a multi-year contract with New Jersey prior to the 2008-09 season.

Hunter has spent his entire professional career in the Islanders organization, playing the last seven seasons at the NHL level and with their AHL-affiliate in Bridgeport prior to that.

UPDATE: The Islanders have confirmed the trade on their website.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

Report: Trenton Titans to replace ECHL's T-Devils

Just three weeks after the New Jersey Devils announced the suspension of the ECHL's Trenton Devils beginning this coming season, reports are surfacing that the Trenton Titans will be re-established in time for the 2011-12 season. Inside the Trenton Devils has posted this press release, which apparently originated from the new team:

(PR) The Trenton Titans will make their return to the Sun National Bank Center on Opening Night, October 22, 2011 when they take on the Florida Everblades. Season tickets start as low as $396. You can purchase tickets by visiting the Titans on the web at www.trentontitanshockey.com or by calling the Titans offices at 609 341-1100. Help us bring back your team.

In support of the press release comes the new Twitter account @TTitans, who's profile reads:

Trenton's ECHL team from 1999-2006, re-established July 28, 2011. Proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. 2005 Kelly Cup Champion. http://trentontitanshockey.com

The first post on the new account reads as follows:

We are back. The Titans are reborn. Press Conference at Sun National Bank Center at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

Interesting to note that as of this moment (3:45 PM) the website http://trentontitanshockey.com does not appear to be active, but the new team may be waiting for tomorrow's press conference before launching their site.

What's unclear is whether the Titans will be an entirely new franchise, or if the Devils have finally sold their franchise to somebody willing to operate the team. A July 11th post at Inside the Trenton Devils suggested the Philadelphia Flyers may have interest in an affiliation with a Trenton team, should an ownership group be found, and based on the Twitter account's profile description that seems to be the case.

I will post more information as it becomes available.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way. 

Follow this blog on Twitter @HellOnSkates.

More Devils, former Rats on the move

Here are some more recent moves involving players with ties to the Albany Devils and/or Albany River Rats:

Stefan Chaput (91 games with Rats from 2008 to 2010) - re-signed with the Boston Bruins organization (theahl.com)

Barry Tallackson (64 games with Rats from 2005 to 2006) - signed with German Elite team Eisbären Berlin (dl-online.com)

Brad Mills (53 games with Devils in 2010-11) - re-signed with the New Jersey Devils, one-year, two-way contract (capgeek.com)

Olivier Magnan (50 games with Devils in 2010-11) - signed a tryout contract with Dynamo Minsk of the KHL (Twitter via @AHLBarons)

Trevor Kell (21 games with Devils in 2010-11) - signed with HC Fassa in Italy (hockey-news.info)

Justin Pogge (4 games with Rats in 2009-10) - signed with Phoenix Coyotes organization (AP via Wall Street Journal)

Jeff Lerg (dressed as backup goalie for several games with Devils in 2010-11) - signed with HC Asiago in Italy (hockey-news.info)

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Devils re-sign restricted free agent Mark Fraser

As reported by Tom Gulitti, the New Jersey Devils have re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Mark Fraser to a one-year, one-way contract. From Fire & Ice:

The Devils avoided an Aug. 4 salary arbitration hearing with restricted free agent defenseman Mark Fraser and signed him to a one-year, one-way contract for $550,000.

Fraser is coming off a one-year, one-way contract for $500,000, which he signed last summer to avoid an arbitration hearing. He was happy to get his contract settled now, so he can focus on getting ready for the season and not worry about a hearing next week. He was also pleased to get a one-way contract again.

Fraser appeared in 5 games for the Albany Devils last season, registering one assist with a plus/minus of -3 during his conditioning stint with the team. Fraser also played on Albany ice earlier in his career when he suited up for 4 games with the Albany River Rats at the end of the 2005-06 season. The young defenseman went scoreless with a plus/minus of +3 that year.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Former T-Devils head coach, Rats defenseman Kevin Dean joins Providence

As reported by The Providence Journal yesterday, former Trenton Devils head coach Kevin Dean has landed on his feet as an assistant coach for AHL Providence:

Kevin Dean, who won the Stanley Cup with New Jersey and the Calder Cup with Albany in the same season in 1995, is the new assistant coach for the Providence Bruins, the Boston Bruins announced on Wednesday night.

A former defenseman, Dean, 42, coached the Trenton Devils of the East Coast Hockey League to a 27-37 record last year in his first season as a head coach. Last in the league in attendance and a perennial money-loser, the Trenton franchise suspended operations in April.

Shout-out to Tom Gulitti, who brought this to my attention on Twitter today.

Including his championship season with the River Rats in 1995, Dean played parts of five seasons in Albany between 1993-94 and 1997-98, with most of his games being played during his first two years in the Devils organization. He went on to have a fine NHL career, retiring as a player after the 2001-02 season.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Lamoriello confirms coaches Kowalski and Albelin to remain with Albany

With the Trenton Devils suspending operations for the 2011-12 season and the New Jersey Devils having named a new head coach, one had to wonder if changes were in store for the Albany Devils coaching staff as well.

That question was put to rest on Thursday, when Fire & Ice's Tom Gulitti reported that Albany head coach Rick Kowalski and assistant coach Tommy Albelin will maintain their positions with the team for the coming season. As reported by Tom Gulitti:

Lamoriello said that Rick Kowalski will remain the head coach and Tommy Albelin will continue as an assistant in Albany next season.

Still unknown are the fates of the Trenton Devils coaching staff (head coach Kevin Dean and assistant coach Vince Williams) and the coaches that served as assistants in New Jersey last season (Adam Oats, Larry Robinson and Chris Terreri). Recently-named NJ Devils coach Pete Deboer is expected to sit down with the NHL assistant coaches shortly, while the Trenton staff continues to await re-assignment within the organization.

UPDATE #1: Tom Gulitti is reporting that former Trenton Devils head coach (and former Albany River Rats captain) Kevin Dean has joined the American Hockey League's Providence Bruins as an assistant coach for the upcoming season.

UPDATE #2: The newly re-established Trenton Titans have hired former Trenton Devils assistant coach Vince Williams as their new head coach.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.