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| Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey |
Written by: Tony Androckitis - Twitter/Facebook
Here at Highland Park Hockey, the sole focus of our coverage is hockey - nothing else but hockey articles year-round! A main point of emphasis here is the American Hockey League (AHL) and more specifically the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
The plan moving forward is to expand our hockey coverage to give our readers not only the best and latest information about the Phantoms, but to also provide plenty of exclusive content to keep you - the reader - more informed about happenings from around the AHL.
While the future remains murky as to how exactly we will accomplish our goal of better overall coverage of the league, I can say that the plan is for this website to cease to exist before next season begins. Not to worry though, our Phantoms and AHL coverage will continue on in a completely new independent website that is in the beginning stages of creation. Rebranding our coverage and changing the new of our future operation was a difficult decision to make, but it's believed to be for the best.
In addition, readers will need to create an account (for free) to view basic articles such as Phantoms' game previews and home game recaps. However, I'll be introducing premium content that requires a subscription (very inexpensive in the $3/month range) to read our exclusive coverage of Phantoms' road games as well as weekly features, prospect profiles and monthly prospect development reports.
Full details on the new website, including it's expected launch and the new name we will be working under moving forward sometime later this summer. Feel free to ask any questions or voice any concerns you have in the comments here, on Twitter (@TonyAndrock) or by emailing me (tonyandrock@gmail.com).
Stay updated on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' off-season news, player movement and more in the only place you'll find dedicated coverage of the team. I plan to have a 'Phantoms Off-Season Guide' online later this week for a clear view of how the team's off-season is going from all angles.
In Case You Missed It
Phantoms/Flyers
The clock is ticking on the Philadelphia Flyers to make a decision on whether or not to sign their 4th round draft pick from 2015 to an entry level contract. If the Flyers don't sign forward Samuel Dove-McFalls by June 1st, the organization will relinquish their rights to the player.
I wrote about the situation last week, and how Dove-McFalls' size and style of play would be a welcomed fit on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms roster next season. There is no indication on what the Flyers will decide to with McFalls, who is currently participating the Memorial Cup with the Saint John Seadogs, but time will tell as Philadelphia has until Thursday to make a decision.
The NHL's free agency period doesn't begin until July 1st, but impending free agents are able to re-sign with their most recent employer leading up to July. Some of the Phantoms' impending free agents have decided to head overseas, already having signed contracts for the 2017-18 season. Here's what you missed:
Forward Andy Miele has signed a two-year contract with the Malmo Redhawks in Sweden's top pro league (SHL). Highland Park Hockey confirmed the news during the Phantoms' exit interviews earlier this month.
I touched on a Swedish report back in February that defenseman Jesper Pettersson had decided he would play out the final year of his entry-level contract with the Flyers' organization in Reading (ECHL) before opting to return to his native Sweden to play hockey in the SHL in 2017-18. That was confirmed earlier this month, and he said his time with Flyers organization was "interesting".
In an exclusive report, Highland Park Hockey learned and confirmed that forward Mark Zengerle also took the overseas option - signing a one-year contract with Linkopings HC in the SHL. Our 1-on-1 interview with Zengerle about his decision brings the dilemma AHL players face when coming to a crossroads in their professional hockey career.Some other exclusive Phantoms off-season coverage this month included breaking the news on defenseman Sam Morin's off-season wrist surgeries. A news tip given to Highland Park Hockey led to the discovery. It was nice to see all of the major Philadelphia media outlets pick up our story.
Another story here this month took a look at the Flyers' assistant coach vacancy and the possibility the organization looks to fill the position from within - perhaps a current member of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' coaching staff.
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1 comments:
Tony, you provide excellent analysis and writing. Good luck with Hockey Writers. I find their Flyers coverage weak, if it is not a rehash of more respected journalists.
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