Gladiators to affiliate with Blue Jackets as well

From the Columbus Dispatch:

The Blue Jackets will have a new ECHL affiliation this season, the Dispatch has learned. The franchise will send two or three players to the Gwinnette [sic] Gladiators of the American Conference's South Division.

They are the second team to pull out of Johnstown this summer. Colorado was the other. More evidence that Johnstown is on shaky ground. Financial stability is mentioned in the article too. I wonder if they will even start the season.

The Blue Jackets don't have a lot of guys turning pro this year, which you can tell by how much of their Traverse City tournament roster is invitees. So I don't think you'll see a lot of players sent to Gwinnett. But it will help Gwinnett's roster, there's no doubt about that.

The Blue Jackets' AHL club is the Syracuse Crunch.

(Join me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/HollyGunning)
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Dudley discovered Mitch Korn back in the day

This summer I worked on a long feature on the very successful goaltending coach Mitch Korn, who has worked in the NHL for 18 seasons. Interestingly, it was Rick Dudley who first gave Korn his big break into the NHL. If there's something Dudley can do, it's spot talent.

In 1990, Korn was breaking down some video at a camp held at the Buffalo Sabres practice facility. Rick Dudley, then the head coach of the Sabres, walked into the classroom and took in a lesson. A year later, the Sabres called up Korn and wanted to interview him to be their goaltending coach

This chance encounter that led to his big break has become one lesson Korn stresses with young goaltenders: "You never know who is watching."

Korn also talked about completely redoing former Thrasher Steve Shields' game when he turned pro. It's rare that he's done that, but with Shields it was necessary.
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Alabama-Huntsville hockey on shaky ground after CCHA snub

The closest college hockey to Atlanta, University of Alabama-Huntsville, was looking to join a new conference this summer due to the demise of College Hockey America. They applied for entrance to the CCHA, but were denied, in what was a surprise to most watchers.

This raises the specter that UAH could shut down its hockey program altogether. Yes, the team can play as an independent, but for how long? It's hard to get opponents to fill your home dates.

The Fairbanks Athletic Director give insight into what the issues were, and Mike Eidelbes of Inside College Hockey speculates that maybe they will get together at a later time.

There's a Save UAH Hockey Facebook page if you want to keep up with events and show your support.
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Rookie games against Nashville will be Sept. 15 and 16

Per the Predators' press release:

NASHVILLE PREDATORS 2009 PRESEASON SCHEDULE

Date	Opponent	Site	Time (CT)
Mon, Sept. 14	@ Atlanta Thrashers (Rookie Game)	Duluth IceForum	6 pm
Tue, Sept. 15	@ Atlanta Thrashers (Rookie Game)	Duluth IceForum	Noon

"Rookie" is a bit of a misnomer here, since there aren't enough actual NHL rookies to make two teams. These guys entering pro, and those with a year of pro played. Some junior players too, before they get sent back to their clubs. "Prospect" games would be more accurate.

Last year these games were played in Nashville, at the Sommet Center, which is where the Predators play. Atlanta isn't renting out Philips for it though, opting to play them at the training facility. Note that the times given are Central, so this would be 7 pm and 1pm Eastern.
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Alumni who are free agents now

The free agent list came out today and there are lots of Thrashers prospect alumni on it, and some alumni of affiliates too. I'll list them alphabetically by former team. These players are free to sign anywhere now. Some might end up in Europe like Mark Popovic did last year.

Chad Painchaud (ANA) -- he was a throw-in to the Mathieu Schneider trade last fall.
Dan Turple (ATL)
Colton Fretter (BUF)
Pascal Pelletier (CHI) - former Gladiator
Adam Berti (CHI) - former Gladiator
Jimmy Sharrow (CHI)
Brent Krahn (DAL) - former Wolf
Kurtis Foster (MIN)
Junior Lessard (NYI)
Derek Nesbitt (PHO) - former Gladiator
Alex Bourret (PHO) -- it will be interesting to see if he even stays in hockey.
Mike Weaver (STL)

The one with the most chance of seeing another NHL contract is Foster.

Pat Dwyer re-signed with Carolina, a two-way contract.
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2009 Traverse City tourney Sept. 6-10

According to RedWingsCentral, the dates for the annual Traverse City Prospects tournament will be Sept. 6-10.

The usual teams will be there, including the Thrashers.
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Rookie games with Nashville would be in ATL this year

Assuming both teams are still agreeable as the summer passes, those two "rookie" games that were played at Nashville last year will be moved to Atlanta this year.

From the Nashville City Paper:

In its first few seasons, Nashville participated in a prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich., with several other franchises. Last season, two rookie games with Atlanta were held during the first week of training camp.

Trotz said any rookie camp this year would include reciprocation on those two games with the Thrashers’ prospects, this time in Atlanta.

Last year they were around Sept 23, which was after the start of training camp. If you're going to do them earlier, it would be around the same time that the Traverse City tournament is going on.