UKRAINIAN PRO HOCKEY UPDATE

by Ihor Stelmach

Professional minor league report

AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

The American Hockey League's new slogan is "The Ticket to the Show," and so far it has been a show with a surprise plot. While the defending Calder Cup champion Philadelphia Phantoms now look very mortal, the doormats of a year ago - the Providence Bruins and Rochester Americans - are poised to take control of center stage.

Here's how things shape up for AHL teams well into the second half of the current season. Teams are listed in order of division standing with special mention of Ukrainian players (in capital letters).

Eastern Conference

New England Division

Providence Bruins - Have gone from worst to best. Lead the league in goals, but strong defense cannot be overlooked.

Hartford Wolf Pack - Enjoy roster stability. Despite close proximity and so-so record, parent Rangers haven't asked for too much help.

Beast of New Haven - Power play has produced nearly half the team's goals. Share affiliation with Carolina and Florida. Trio of Ukes on defense here: PETER RATCHUK (30GP-4G-14A-18PTS-24PIM), STEVE HALKO (24GP-lG-5A-6PTS-48PIM) and JOEY TETARENKO (37GP-lG-5A-6PTS-108PIM). Ratchuk has been up with Florida twice, Halko with the Hurricanes once.

Worcester IceCats - So-so goaltending with no true standouts on roster. Somehow still find ways to win. Defenseman JAROSLAV OBSUT is back up in AHL after starting year in East Coast League.

Springfield Falcons - Forty-three players and counting on roster thus far in 1998-1999. Phoenix and Los Angeles share this club.

Atlantic Division

Lowell Lock Monsters - Lost the services of a player (Jeff Libby) when his eye was lost due to a skate blade. Inaugural campaign in AHL. Veteran YEVGENY NAMESTNIKOV (20-7-8-15-18) started strong until felled by injury. Winger RYAN HUSKA (35-3-9-12-51) came over from Blackhawks organization.

St. John Flames - Team expected big things, but recall of top goalie by Calgary put major damper on expectations. Ex-Colorado Avalanche tough guy WADE BELAK comes over as part of monster Theo Fleury trade. Right wing GREG PANKIEWICZ (12-0-8-8-27) saw action in 18 games with Calgary prior to reassignment. Goaltender IGOR KARPENKO (18GP-951MINS-5W-7L-2T-3.34GA-.894PCT) is a back-up.

St. John's Maple Leafs - Franchise getting new home in 2000-2001 after city approved a new civic arena. Winger Jason Podollan one of league's top snipers.

Frederiction Canadiens - Big change: Montreal finally adding numerous young prospects. Most penalized team in circuit.

Portland Pirates - With new ownership and two NHL affiliates, have used over 40 players and seen over 70 transactions. This lack of stability affects performance. FRANK BIALOWAS (29-0-3-3-42) came over in deal from Philadelphia. RICK KOWALSKY (28-3-7-10-57) is a mainstay here. Defender GARY GULASH got into two games very early. Goalie JEFF SALAJKO (2GP-80MINS-0-1-0-5.25-.868) helped out during an injury crisis.

Western Conference

Mid-Atlantic Division

Kentucky Thoroughblades - No longer rely on just Steve Guolla to score points, although he still leads the way. Becoming more balanced.

Philadelphia Phantoms - Team defense has tumbled and only eight players had a positive plus/minus rating. Rookie Jean-Marc Pelletier is one of top goaltending prospects around. Defenseman SERGEI KLIMENTIEV (43-5-12-17-99) tallied from the point before being dealt to Nashville.

Hershey Bears - Injuries for parent Colorado proved to be quite devastating for the Bears. Goalie Marc Denis helped keep the sanity when recalls left the line-up bare. Center YURI BABENKO (48-7-12-19-35) is solid two-way performer.

Cincinnati Mighty Ducks - Club relies on a few wily veteran minor leaguers to supply much of the offense. Need consistency and more bonafide NHL prospects.

Empire Division

Albany River Rats - It seems like every year some Rat comes out of nowhere to become a star. This year's version is somebody named Jeff Williams. Still young netminder MIKE BUZAK (31-1576-11-9-3-2.74.911) is New Jersey's third goalie on the depth chart.

Rochester Americans - With seven players in double digits in goals, the team doesn't depend on any one player. Cory Sarich and Martin Biron are Sabre prospects.

Hamilton Bulldogs - Team will be feared in playoffs due to size on both wings and speed up the middle. Edmonton is known for its shrewd appraisal of young talent.

Adirondack Red Wings - Temporary addition of NHL vet Petr Klima temporarily added punch to a can't-score offense. However, this team is tough and could unseat someone in the playoffs.

Syracuse Crunch - Forwards on this team just may be the AHL's most skilled. Greatly lacking here: veteran leadership. Jointly stocked by Pittsburgh and Vancouver. BORIS PROTSENKO (46-19-16-35-68) is in top three of all offensive categories.

INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

The first half of the International Hockey League season might have better been called the Houston Aeros' coming out party. Houston will have a number of teams on its heels as the second half winds down and throughout the playoffs in the battle for the Turner Cup.

The International League got younger and the play became more intense than in recent years. The league has begun to show the NHL it also is a good spot for developing prospects. Here's how things stack up for IHL teams.

Eastern Conference

Detroit Vipers - After standout Jeff Reese left the team, the goaltending dilemma was answered by Kevin Weekes. Winger PETER AMBROZIAK skated in four games early this season.

Orlando Solar Bears - Another club where goaltending was in question, but veteran David Littman is atop the league in victories.

Cincinnati Cyclones - To stay in contention and keep drawing fans, team made blockbuster trade while giving up fan favorites. Gutsy.

Fort Wayne Komets - The return of Andrei Bashkirov from Montreal has sparked the Komets. It's now or never for right-winger DAVID NEMIROVSKY (38-19-13-32-4), while blue-liner LEE SOROCHAN (40-0-8-8-198) survives in exile after banishment by the Rangers.

Cleveland Lumberjacks - Injuries to the parent Tampa Bay Lightning and the 'Jacks have kept the roster in constant state of change. A fourth- or fifth-place team.

Indianapolis Ice - After 11 years in the NHL, winger Brian Noonan has settled alongside Dave Hymovitz, giving the Ice a solid one-two scoring punch. Remi Royer is Chicago's top-rated defenseman.

Michigan K-Wings - Team's work ethic has improved under new coach Bill MacDonald, hired in June by the Dallas Stars. GT Marty Turco and LW Jason Botterill are keepers. Defenseman BRAD LUKOWICH (52-515-20-76) remains one call-up away from a permanent stay on Stars' backline.

Grand Rapids Griffins - Team's stumbling into last place in the conference is in part due to ineffective play of special teams. An independent unaffiliated team. After some time in Calgary TODD HLUSHKO (52-11-12-23-39) surfaced as a Griffin with hope for one last shot at the big show.

Western Conference

Houston Aeros - A veritable offensive juggernaut as the league's only team to average more than four goals per game. An independent franchise with lots of vets.

Chicago Wolves - If not for the Aeros, this would be the premier team in the IHL. Ukrainian-descent Wolves include defensemen PAUL KOCH (33-0-9-9-46) and JEREMY MYLYMOK (40-1-2-3-111). Wayne's youngest brother, BRENT GRETZKY, (17-6-9-15-9) has enjoyed the second half of the season in Chicago after starting 1998-1999 in Asheville of the United League.

Long Beach Ice Dogs - This dog pound has been ravaged by the injury bug, losing three regular blueliners for extended periods. Center Patrik Stefan could be top draft pick this summer.

Manitoba Moose - After taking a year plus to recover from injuries and raise awareness for child sexual abuse, Sheldon Kennedy returned to pro hockey with Manitoba. Has sinced moved on to Germany. Left wing JASON SHMYR (43-0-0-0-173) is a bruiser and a battler.

Milwaukee Admirals - As expansion Nashville's farm club have experienced first year woes because of parent club's frequent roster moves. SERGEI KLIMENTIEV (10-1-3-4-17) acquired in trade from Philadelphia. May get shot at Predators' blue line next season.

Kansas City Blades - Another horrendous start like last season put the Blades behind the eight-ball. Good goaltending tandem. Old Islander top draftee DAVE CHYZOWSKI (53-18-11-29-137), pivotman BRENDAN YAREMA (42-7-11-18-80) and defender DAN RATUSHNY (44-6-24-30-20) comprise Ukrainian troika of minor league mainstays.

Utah Grizzlies - Coach-GM Butch Goring has not found any goaltenders to his liking, as witnessed by a whopping seven different candidates. Yet still a .500 record for the Grizzlies. Left winger CURTIS SHEPTAK (54-6-7-13-99) a regular as third-line checker and instigator.

Las Vegas Thunder - Bad News: the Thunder signed and later lost NHL Group II free agents Petr Nedved, Mike Wilson and Drew Bannister. More bad news: the Thunder severed its affiliation with Phoenix. Ex-NHLer RUSS ROMANIUK (54-25-14-39-61) remains one of IHL's top goal scorers. Defenseman NICK NAUMENKO (49-9-18-27-55) came over from Utah and can score from the point. ANDREI SRUBKO (29-0-5-5-108) and ALEXANDER ALEXEEV (7-0-2-2-4) have joined Naumenko back on the Thunder's blueline at various times this season. Back-up goalie KONSTANTIN SIMCHUK (12GP-546MINS-2-6-1-3.29-.901) takes an occasional turn between the pipes.

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COMING UP: Mini-minor league reviews of those other professional hockey ranks a notch or two below the AHL and IHL in quality: a peak at the East Coast, United, West Coast, Western Pro and Central leagues. Yep, there's pucksters of some Ukrainian descent all over the place...

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, March 28, 1999, No. 13, Vol. LXVII

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