Former Grand Rapids Griffins captain Nathan Paetsch retires

The Rochester Americans posted a press release this morning in which former Grand Rapids Griffins captain and defenseman Nathan Paetsch announced his retirement today, and the Griffins acknowledged Paetsch’s many achievements with the team:

Dino Ciccarelli appears on the latest ‘Cam & Strick Podcast’

Former Red Wings forward Dino Ciccarelli appears on today’s episode of the “Cam & Strick Podcast,” appearing at the 48-minute mark of the nearly two-hour-long episode of Cam Janssen and Andy Strickland’s show:

The Athletic’s Kloke updates uncertainty surrounding AHL’s 20-21 season

The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke spoke with AHL president Scott Howson and several AHL’ers regarding the still-uncertain circumstances surrounding the 2020-2021 AHL season, and Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Dylan McIlrath adds his voice to the mix:

Scott Howson is an optimist by nature. The AHL president continues to rely on that sense of optimism as the league’s previously proposed start date of Feb. 5 inches closer with no plans on delaying the start of the season.

“There’s a strong appetite amongst our teams and their NHL partners to try and make this season work,” Howson told The Athletic.

As information about what the 2020-21 NHL season will look like trickles out and a picture of the season comes into focus, many within the AHL are waiting for similar updates.

“You probably know more than I do,” said one AHL coach.

And so while many around the league want to share Howson’s optimism, there is also a sense of anxiety.

“Definitely a lot of questions still to be answered,” said Grand Rapids Griffins defenceman Dylan McIlrath. “And it is kind of nerve-wracking. Obviously, hopefully, the NHL can get going. It’s been a trying time, waiting for the word. And there hasn’t been a whole lot of dialogue, because no one really has the answers right now.”

The biggest holdup for the AHL is the NHL itself. Once the NHL’s season plans are finalized, the AHL will act accordingly and structure its season. Until then, the waiting remains the hardest part.

Continued (paywall)

A possible ad placement and the path to TMR self-sufficiency

Gang,

I’ve been leaning on the TMR readership base very hard over the past couple of months, and it’s been doubly necessary because of the very nature of this website–it’s commercial-free, and has been since the start, so the NPR of blogs means that a blogger has to ask for help. But it’s also sucked, and it’s turned some readers off to this blog, which isn’t great.

I’ve been approached by a company that wants to place inline, non-intrusive ads on TMR, and the company, Play Pickup, can be viewed here if you’re interested in the kinds of ads you’d be seeing on the site, as well as the content that they’d be promoting on TMR (mostly answering prompts, but it needs to be said that they’re partnered with DraftKings, so sports betting is part of their portfolio).

I’m strongly considering their offer to place their and only their ads on the website because, put bluntly, it’s been hard to balance the bills lately, and AA and I are doing our best to break even every month, which will get a little harder come February as my “hazard pay” from the State of Michigan (which pays me a very modest fee to be AA’s caregiver; the “hazard pay” has doubled my paycheck) will end on January 1st.

Continue reading A possible ad placement and the path to TMR self-sufficiency

A trio of Tweets of note

Of note from Paul Kukla of Kukla’s Korner, per Sports Illustrated’s Michael Farber…

And the Detroit News’s Gregg Krupa:

Also, enjoy the following from Dimitri Filipovic:

Prospect round-up: Veleno wins showdown with Seider; a well-dressed Brome; Berggren’s Swedes drop Channel One Cup opener

Updated at 1:13 AM: Of prospect-related note:

In the SHL, Joe Veleno had an assist on the game-winning goal, finishing at -1 with 3 shots and 18:34 played in the Malmo Redhawks’ rare 3-2 win over Rogle BK. Moritz Seider finished at -1 with 1 shot and 1 blocked shot in 22:37 played.

As per usual, IceHockeyGifs on Twitter has some Seider .gifs to share:

Continue reading Prospect round-up: Veleno wins showdown with Seider; a well-dressed Brome; Berggren’s Swedes drop Channel One Cup opener

TSN posts Igor Larionov interview in which the Russian WJC team coach discusses ‘Russian Five’ influences

Former Red Wings forward and Russian World Junior Championship team coach Igor Larionov spoke with TSN’s Mark Masters about his desire to bring a little “Russian 5” style to the Russian WJC team. The 4:42 interview isn’t embeddable, but it’s not geo-blocked, so you can watch it from the U.S.:

LEGENDARY LESSONS: Russia ?? head coach Igor Larionov talks about his plans to bring Detroit’s ‘Russian Five’ style to his young team at the #WorldJuniors: https://t.co/IQQU9GFKNQ#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/4kbn5nsdtq— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 17, 2020

Here’s the interview summary:

In his first year as Russia’s head coach at the World Juniors, Igor Larionov has a clear vision for how his team should play. “It’s showing my experience and my knowledge to the young players,” the Hockey Hall of Famer said, “and try to help the young guys to see the game a different way than they’re used to seeing it. I’m happy to see some good signs of listening to how we played back in the day and in Detroit with Russian Five.”

Press release: AHL, ECHL join ‘Hockey is for Everyone’ campaign

This is a good start for the AHL and ECHL in terms of getting on the diversity train:

AHL, ECHL join Hockey is For Everyone campaign’

NEW YORK, SPRINGFIELD, Mass., & PRINCETON, N.J. … As part of committed efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in hockey, the National Hockey League (NHL®), American Hockey League (AHL), and ECHL today announced that the AHL, ECHL and their Member Clubs will join Hockey is For Everyone™, the NHL’s year-long initiative in conjunction with the National Hockey League Players’ Association to emphasize that the official policy of the sport is one of supporting and prioritizing inclusion on the ice, in locker rooms, boardrooms and stands. With the AHL and ECHL joining Hockey is For Everyone™, the campaign will reach new fans as the initiative adds 51 new markets across North America.

Continue reading Press release: AHL, ECHL join ‘Hockey is for Everyone’ campaign