I used the phrase "Christmas in July" here yesterday; it turns out there was another big present under the tree. Keith Aucoin is coming to town after signing an NHL two-way contract. The official team release is below. One thing we know right now about next season: This team is going to have some serious offensive weapons.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2008
CONTACT: John Walton – HERSHEY BEARS – (717) 682-6470
HERSHEY AND WASHINGTON SIGN UP VETERAN CENTER KEITH AUCOIN
PLAYMAKING CENTER PLAYED 38 GAMES LAST SEASON FOR CAROLINA HURRICANES, FORMER ALBANY CAPTAIN IN THE SYSTEM FOR 2008-09
HERSHEY – The HERSHEY BEARS announced today in conjunction with the Washington Capitals that center Keith Aucoin has been signed to a contract for the 2008-09 season. The announcement was made today by BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst and Washington Capitals VP/General Manager George McPhee.
Aucoin, 29, comes to the Washington organization after splitting time in 2007-08 between Carolina (NHL) and Albany (AHL). He scored five goals and assisted on eight others for the Hurricanes during his stint in Raleigh, and picked up 45 points in just 38 games for the River Rats. Aucoin brings a total of 53 games of NHL experience to the organization, and has also played previously in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Lowell Lock Monsters. On four different occasions, Aucoin has notched 20 or more goals in a single AHL season (25 with Providence in 2002-03, 21 for the P-Bruins in 2004-05, 29 with Lowell in 2005-06 and 26 with Albany in 2006-07). One of the league’s premier playmakers, Aucoin also has recorded 299 assists in 435 AHL games.
“Keith Aucoin is one of the premier centers in the American Hockey League” said BEARS President/GM Doug Yingst. “We are thrilled to have his playmaking ability and his leadership for the upcoming season.”
The signing marks the second offensive forward the BEARS have landed in as many days. The club announced Tuesday the signing of right wing and 2006 Calder Cup Playoff hero Graham Mink. Mink and Aucoin join Alexandre Giroux, who is already under contract for next season. Giroux, who scored 42 goals for the BEARS in 2006-07, is HERSHEY’S only 40-goal scorer since 2000.
Season ticket plans for the upcoming 2008-09 season are on sale now by calling (717) 508-BEAR, with plans starting at just $145. The American Hockey League is expected to release the 2008-09 schedule of games later this summer, with HERSHEY slated to play 20 different opponents.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
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6 comments:
things just continue to look up for us.... man I can not wait until September
Hey John, another terrific signing by Doug and George. With the way things are shaping up, do you think it's too early to have high hopes for a great season and subsequent long spring? I, for one, cannot wait for the puck to drop in October. Do you think there will be pursuit of an offensive d-man or perhaps a veteran goaltending presence to help bridge the gap between the kids (Varmalov/Neuvirth) and Machesney?
Unbelieveable! Keith Aucoin was always a little pain in the neck to the Bears. Now he is one of us. Two incredible days in a row! Mink and Aucoin! Not only the scoring, but the presence and leadership for all of the younger guys. Can't wait for the season to start. Keep up the good work, Doug and George!!!
Texas on the schedule, Graham Mink returns, and now they sign Aucoin? Man, this is shaping up to be a fun season. We still need one vet defenseman to add some grit back there and help Sloan school the kids we've got coming. That said, I am seriously pumped for this season.
I think there are certainly a lot of exciting things to look forward to, just to echo the above. Think about loading up a power play with Aucoin, Mink, Giroux, Bourque, Gordon and Wilson up front. If those six guys averaged 25 goals apiece, you're looking at 150 goals just right there. Might be the greatest show on AHL ice this fall.
Addressing hbearsbg's thought about a long postseason, I'd say it's certainly possible, but I think goaltending will still be a question when the season starts. Whatever combo of Machesney/Neuvirth/Varmalov is here will have a pretty hot spotlight focused on them.
What's really amazing about what Doug and George have done here is the market for players right now is pretty awful. The US dollar is down, and guys without much NHL upside are strongly tempted to go to Europe where the money is tax free. It's been an incredible couple of days.
-JW
Great singing! So if Doug keeps going after Bear killers, what's the chance that Tambellini is next? :D
I'd love to see them use that last vet spot (assuming Laing suits up for the Bears this fall) on a solid veteran defensive defenseman.
Can I just wake up and have it be September already? I'm really excited for this team to take the ice!
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