Failure for NHL; opportunity for AHL

Since 1941, it has been an important part of hockey culture.
It was there in ’94 to provide relief when the NHL ceased operations, and it remains here today—stronger than ever—to provide fans their hockey fix now that NHL rinks are dark again.
The American Hockey League is the highest level of pro hockey in North America other than NHL, and has been a stepping stone for many of the top players before heading to the elite stage.
And once again, with no immediate end in sight to the current NHL lockout, the 28-team AHL is ready to take advantage of the spotlight and show hockey fans across the continent they are both reliable and entertaining.
“I think it’s a chance to be more visible, no question there, and a chance for people to see some top young players, and a chance to look at the league and see what a great source of entertainment this league is,” said Hamilton Bulldogs coach Doug Jarvis, who, before taking the job two years ago, was a long-time assistant coach with the Dallas Stars organization.
It’s not just an opportunity for fans to watch high-calibre hockey while turning their attention away from the frustrating NHL negotiations. It’s also a chance for players to have a place to play without having to travel to Europe.
“I think this option is fantastic. It gives me somewhere to play that has excellent hockey,” Steve Ott of the Bulldogs, who played 73 games for the Dallas Stars last season and 26 games the year before, said before Friday night’s exhibition game here against the Manitoba Moose.
The 22-year-old Ott, selected by Dallas in the first round of the 2000 NHL entry draft, was looking forward to this season to show the Stars he is ready to take a larger role with the team.
“The owners locking us out on the 15th [of September] was a very disappointing day for myself,” added Ott. “This was a year where I wanted to show the Dallas Stars that I’ve got more to give and more to offer, and not being able to do that is obviously very disappointing.
“But the AHL gives me an opportunity where when the NHL does start up again, I have a jump on the NHL guys,” the forward added.
For Bulldogs forward Duncan Milroy, selected 37th overall in the 2001 entry draft by the Montreal Canadiens, he sees the NHL lockout as a definite opportunity to showcase the AHL and put the focus on the younger players.
“It’s definitely a big advantage that all eyes will be on this league,” he remarked. “I think it’s great for us players that have been playing in the AHL. It’s going to give us an opportunity to showcase ourselves.
“Like you said, everyone is going to have their attention on this league and it’s a young league with a lot of rising young talent,” added Milroy, entering his second year with Hamilton.
When asked who was at fault for the current NHL lockout, Milroy replied that there were too many unknowns to assign blame.
“It’s a tough situation, but as a union we have to stick together as players and the owners are sticking together, as well,” he noted. “Hopefully it doesn’t last long.
“I know in the media that there’s bad blood going back and forth, but it’s a business those guys have to figure out and it’s going to take some time,” he reasoned.
“You don’t want to point the finger at anybody,” Milroy said. “In reality, there’s probably more that goes on behind closed doors that even the players and owners really know sometimes.
“It’s frustrating as players, and I feel for the guys in the NHL, because a lot of those guys don’t have jobs and they want to be out their playing hockey.”
Manitoba Moose number-one goalie Alex Auld, 23, selected 40th overall in the 1999 entry draft by the Florida Panthers, also considers himself fortunate to have somewhere to play this season.
Auld, regarded as the Vancouver Canucks’ next premiere goalie, also sees the AHL as a great opportunity for players like himself who are trying to become regular NHL’ers.
“I’m glad that you put it as an opportunity, because a lot of people ask if you’re disappointed because they think you should be in the NHL, but I think it’s a great opportunity,” he remarked.
“These things [lockouts] come along every so often and it’s unfortunate, but there’s a few of us who are really fortunate to be able to play and not have to go half across the world.
“This is one of the best leagues to play in now in the world, and I think it’s going to be a really strong league this year,” Auld added.
“I try to look at the positives,” agreed Bulldogs goalie Dan Ellis. “It’s a chance for me to still play while other guys in the league are sitting at home and don’t have jobs.
“It’s got a lot of benefits being able to play, and the AHL is going to be an awesome league. It’s going to be very competitive,” Ellis added.
Young premiere NHL’ers like Jason Spezza, Jay Bouwmeester, Joffrey Lupul, Marc-Andre Fleury, Stephen Weiss, Eric Staal, Jordin Tootoo, and Scottie Pushball all will be playing in the AHL this season.
In fact, nearly two-thirds on the 90 players chosen in the first rounds of the ’01, ’02, and ’03 NHL entry drafts will be wearing an AHL uniform—and a big TV contract in Canada gives hockey fans even more reason to tune in.
“It’s one of those opportunities the league has never experienced,” noted Manitoba Moose head coach Randy Carlyle. “They did experience it in ’94 when there was a short [NHL] lockout, but this one seems like both sides are dug in.
“Both the European leagues and the AHL are giant benefactors, so we have to take advantage of that because we have an opportunity to showcase the league,” Carlyle added.