Minor League Updates

Some former Colonials were involved in some transactions that came across the Minor League font today:

Jake Obermeyer was dealt from Rapid City Rush (CHL) to the Amarillo Gorillas (CHL) (with goaltender Mike Brown) for future considerations.

Stefan Lachapelle was release by Corpus Christi Ice Rays (CHL). Lachapelle had played just as recently as Sunday (October 11th), scoring a goal in a3-2 winover the Killer Bees.

Logan Bittle and Joey Olson were released by Bloomington PrarieThunder (IHL), as final roster cuts were made: PrarieThunderhockey.com

Matt Krug was released by Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL), and he has signed with Muskegon Lumberjacks(IHL)

Video of Krug in a fight: Youtube

More updates and current locations of former Colonials:

Joel Gasper - Quad Cities Mallards (IHL)

-Joel is currently listed as a centre for the Mallards.

Rob Cowan – Port Huron Icehawks (IHL)

-Rob was invited to training camp on a tryout, and made the final roster cut. This is Rob’s third season with the Ice Hawks.

Ryan Cruthers – Texas Brahmas (CHL)

-Ryan is listed as a Left Wing, wearing sweater #16.

Chris Kaufamn -Allen Americans (CHL)

Ryan Cruthers jumps from ECHL to CHL, signs with Brahmas

Ryan Cruthers was traded back on April 20th, to Reading Royals from the Mississippi Sea Wolves in the ECHL, and he was working out in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves, but he has signed with the Texas Brahmas of the CHL, joining two former teammates in the league (Bittle and Olson).

Source: Oursportscentral.com

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Ryan Cruthers acquired by the Reading Royals (ECHL), back on April 20th

All excuses aside, but I decided to try and see where some of our alumni have ended up recently with hockey right around the corner, and Ryan Cruthers was traded from the Mississippi Sea Wolves (ECHL) to the Reading Royals (ECHL) on April 20th, and his rights were protected on June 3rd.

Apparently, I’m a little behind.

As of now, I have not seen anything regarding his active roster status with the Royals, but they do own his rights.

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Berkstresser re-signs with Cheifs (ECHL)

The Johnstown Chiefs have announced that they are bringing back Seasn Berkstresser for the upcoming season. Here is the report on Sean coming back.

Source: Johnstown Chiefs.com

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL announced today that they have re-signed forward Sean Berkstresser for the 2009-10 season.

“Sean is a local guy who came to the Chiefs last season to fill an immediate need. He quickly proved that he can play a valuable role at this level. He’ll add quickness and tenacity to our lineup, and we expect his role to expand,” said Vice President/General Manager Bill Bredin.

A native of Apollo, Pennsylvania, Berkstresser will bring his rugged style of play back to Johnstown for a second season. The 27-year-old joined the Chiefs one month into the season and skated in 60 games for Johnstown in 2008-09 and produced 22 points (8G, 14A) along with 70 penalty minutes. He posted his best offensive numbers in the month of January when he led the team with five goals to go along with three assists.

A product of Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Berkstresser gained his first pro experience by playing in eight games with the Wheeling Nailers during the 2007-08 season and produced two points (1G, 1A). That same season he wrapped up his collegiate career with a strong showing. His 25 points (9G, 16A) placed third on the Colonials behind Chris Margott and ECHL All-Star Ryan Cruthers.

The addition of Berkstresser brings the Chiefs roster to six. He joins Ryan Menei, Kyle Bushee, Mike Knight, and Greg Gallagher as Chiefs under contract for the 2009-10 season.

Logan Bittle, excited to return to Central Illinois

I recently spoke with Logan Bittle, via email, asking him about his signing with the Bloomington Prairie Thunder of the IHL, here is what he had to say:

Q: What led you to your decision of signing with the Thunder, how did they make this an easy decision for you?

A: Thank you very much for you congratulations! I am very excited to have signed with the Prairie Thunder. I decided to sign with them because it will be a great opportunity for me to play and with it being so close to home, it became a no brainer.

Q: Did Joey Olson being on the team have any impact on your decision?

A: With the team signing me and Joey Olson (former teammates at RMU) they offered us an opportunity to play in Central Illinois, which is a dream come true! It is obviously a great opportunity to continue my pro career so close to home and with Joey. We have been best buddies since we were little and have been very lucky to have the chance to play with each other both at RMU and now in Bloomington.

Q: How do you see yourself fitting into their system and what do you hope to accomplish in your personal level of hockey this season?

A: I hope that this year I will bring a high level of intensity to the team, while being able to put up some good numbers! It will also be a great chance for me to give back to Central Illinois hockey, much like many of the pro players did for me when I was growing up! Hopefully we can help bring a championship to Central Illinois!

Thanks Logan, I know the Colonial faithful all wish you and Joey the best!

Logan spent time in the ECHL with the Dayton Bombers in 2008-09, where he appeared in 11 games after spending time in the EPHL with the Jersey Rockhoppers, where he played in 30 games, scoring 44 points (20 G, 24 A).

You can follow both Logan and Joey at the Thunder’s “Inside The Action” spot on the Sports Photography website, follow the link here.

Matt Krug signs with Kalamazoo (ECHL)

Matt Krug, who finished his NCAA career with RMU last year after spending his first three seasons with Wayne State, has signed with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL.

wingstadium.com

Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL and affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, announce they have agreed to terms with forwards Sean O’Connor, Erik Johnson and defenseman Matt Krug for the upcoming 2009-10 season; per team policy, the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.

In other news at Kalamazoo, the team is being sued for being a poor host, the story was reported on Yahoo!’s Puck Daddy Blog. Apparently it’s 8 months after the fact, and the county has decided to do something:

The damage includes a singed and burned handicapped bench, shower head and toilet seat. Additionally, the rubberized floor was damaged along with the walls and floors in the shower.

County officials say repairing the floor, and the epoxy coating on the walls will cost more than nine thousand dollars. That’s money that, for now, the Komets have coughed up, as mandated in their lease with the Coliseum. However, county officials feel ultimately, whomever did the damage should foot the bill.

Aaron Clarke resigns with Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

From Wheeling Nailers.com

Wheeling, WV – The Wheeling Nailers, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins and the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, are excited to announce the re-signing of forward Aaron Clarke and the addition of rookie forward Anthony Perdicaro.

Clarke is coming back to Wheeling for his third season with the Nailers. The product of Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh has 30 goals and 43 assists in 100 games in two previous seasons with the Nailers.

“We welcome back Aaron to our team. Clarky provides us with fine leadership and great intensity. He’s looking forward to the upcoming year.”

Last year the 5′9″, 185 pound Clarke served as Wheeling’s captain for much of the season but he also was a busy traveller. The 26 year old’s hard work with the Nailers was noticed at the next level and three different AHL teams called him up for a total of 32 games with the Albany River Rats (22 games), Providence Bruins (7 games) and Binghamton Senators (3 games). Clarke’s first ever call-up to the AHL came on December 26th when the Binghamton Senators had an opening. He would end up getting the call four different times by the three teams.

That same hard work that got him to the next level also earned Clarke a trip to the ECHL All-Star game in January where he scored a goal early in the 2nd period as Greg Puhalski’s American Conference squad recorded an 11-5 victory over the National Conference.

Overall on 2008-09 Clarke scored 13 goals and 42 points including 11 goals and 37 points with the Nailers.

Prior to coming to the Nailers in 2007-08, Clarke had a successful college career with two seasons at Niagara University followed by two seasons at Robert Morris. His senior season with the Colonials he was second on the team in scoring with 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 35 games.

Anthony Perdicaro comes to the Nailers for his rookie season of professional hockey after splitting time last year with a pair of teams in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Cowichan Valley Capitals and the Penticton Vees.

At only 20 years old Perdicaro will be one of the youngest members of the Nailers.

The 6′2″ tall East Rockaway, NY native wasn’t afraid to mix it up as he accumulated 111 penalty minutes in 28 games with the Capitals last year but also had a solid scoring touch with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in that stretch. He had a total of 18 goals and 22 helpers in 50 games for his two teams combined.

“We want Anthony to show the intensity he displayed in junior and bring it to the Nailers”

Perdicaro also had experience with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the Quebec Major Juniors Hockey League in 2007-08 as well as in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and in the USHL with the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets over a three year career in juniors.

The Wheeling Nailers home opener is set for Friday October 23rd against the Cincinnati Cyclones. Call the Nailers office at 304-234-GOAL to book your group today.

Chris Margott added to Nailers “Protected” List

At the end of last season, Margott signed a contract with the Wheeling Nailers, beginning his Professional hockey career, at the end of their regular season. He played in 12 total games (4 in playoffs) scoring 8 points (1 G, 7 A)

To start the Nailers regular season, Chris Margott has been Protected, along with former teammate Aaron Clarke.

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Bittle signs with Prairiethunder of CHL

Former Colonial Logan Bittle has signed on with the Prairiethunder of the CHL.

…along with the signings of Central Illinois products Logan Bittle of Peoria and Cole Ruwe of Pekin. The 25-year-old Bittle played 11 games with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL, earning two assists. The 6-1, 200-pound Bittle played four seasons in college at Robert Morris University.

Logan appeared in 30 games for the Jersey Rockhoppers of the EPHL, scoring 44 points (20G – 24A), before signing a contract with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL, where he appeared in 11 Games, scoring 2 points (0G – 2A).

The fans loved Logan:

Bittle joins former teammate, Joey Olson, who signed with Prairie back on May 25th.

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