The forward group of the Milwaukee Admirals has been talked about plenty this season and for good reason. We currently have a talent pool, courtesy of the Nashville Predators, that’s about as deep as I can remember. Viktor Arvidsson, Brendan Leipsic, Pontus Åberg, and Kevin Fiala were all brought on this season. The play of Arvidsson and Leipsic is actually pretty reminiscent of last year’s rookies Colton Sissons and Miikka Salomäki – who remain bright spots on the team in their sophomore seasons.

With all that talk being such a focus I feel it would be a good time to switch things back a little bit and point at our defensemen this season. There have been some pretty great turn-around performances out of the defense that, while not as flashy on the highlight reel, deserve the same level of appreciation – specifically two players.

~The Replacement~

When you think about how the Admirals defense looked at the start of the season it felt as if Johan Alm was going to be a massive piece to the team’s puzzle. He was one of the last two players to be cut ahead of the Predators regular season and paired with the man he was sent back to Milwaukee with, Joe Piskula. It’s sad to think that, after Tuesday’s game, Alm has now missed 23 games due to injury. It has been almost two months to the day since he last played.

With the absence of Alm the man who ended up stepping up into his role alongside Piskula would be none other than 20-year old Jonathan Diaby. While you might think the age difference between the two isn’t too harsh it was the professional playing experience that set Alm apart. The Swede had played 135 games in the Swedish Hockey League with Skelleftå and Frölunda. Diaby? He was fresh out of his time with the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL. How has the native of Quebec fared since stepping into the top defensive line? Better with each and every game.

There could be some fun to be had poking at Diaby’s current offensive numbers delivered from the blue line. He has zero points, none, ziltch, goose egg, doughnut. The only other Admiral without a point of offense this season? Patrick Cehlin who had played 4 games with the team after a lengthy recovery period from hip surgery and a blood clot. While Cehlin would be sent to Cincinnati before being given the return to sender label – Diaby has played 32 games without a point of offense in the AHL this season. Even Marek Mazanec (3 assists) and Magnus Hellberg (2 assists) have lucked into a point somewhere along the way.

At the first few games of the season I felt Diaby looked really uncoordinated on the ice. He didn’t look comfortable and would make some down-right confusing decisions on the ice. In his third game of the season he slowly skated to the bench as a Chicago Wolves odd man rush was coming right back into his face which turned into a goal. He was benched for two games. Ever since he has slowly built himself into a very reliable shutdown defenseman and occasional on-ice enforcer. Sound familiar? It does to me. Sounds like a guy we had by the name of Joonas Järvinen – a no nonsense, in your face, physically imposing defenseman.

Diaby is still learning the pro game and, in part, his stat line speaks to that. He is the only current active Admiral who doesn’t have a positive plus/minus rating and the lone man with a negative is the one he replaced who is currently out with injury. He’s trending upward in my book. I’d expect that number to change for the better. Regardless, his season has to be quite the education. He’s playing alongside Piskula and matching up most nights against the upper-end forward lines of the opposition. This year should be a great foundation for him to build off of.

~Earning A Spot~

I want to come clean and admit that when this season started, and Taylor Aronson was on the roster, I had serious doubts about how he would do. In his first two seasons of pro hockey he was split between the AHL and ECHL but more often then not found himself with the Cincinnati Cyclones. Last season he never even made it to Milwaukee. His entire season was spent at the ECHL to push his career numbers to 143 games at that level as opposed to the 26 games he had played in the AHL prior to this season.

How much of last season, spending an entire season at one-level, with the same team, same coaches, and one focus the true factor in Aronson’s turn-around? It may have gone under my radar last season but this year I think it has proved to be the best thing to have happened for him. In 2013-14 he played 65 games for the Cyclones in the ECHL and scored 38 points (6 goals, 32 assists) while having a plus/minus rating of +28. In addition to that he was part of the Cyclones tremendous Kelly Cup run where he had 7 assists and was a +6 en route to defeat for Cincinnati in the final.

Aronson showed up to Admirals camp this season in his best shape and with his mind firmly focused on maintaining an AHL role. His advantage that other defensive competition didn’t have? He was the only right handed shot. While it’s a plus to have that left-right parody on the blue line I don’t think that’s matter much as far as Aronson earning his spot this season. He has played like he has belonged from game one.

This season Aronson has scored 24 points (3 goals, 21 assists) in 41 games. He is tied with Austin Watson for third on the Admirals in scoring and is the highest scoring defenseman by a goal over Anthony Bitetto. Aronson’s points per game in the ECHL last season was 0.58. In the AHL this season it’s 0.59. The work he put in last season in Cincinnati has translated into AHL success in Milwaukee this season.

What have you thought about the Milwaukee Admirals defensemen this season? Who has been the best d-man? Have Diaby and Aronson impressed you this season?

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The Nashville Predators have reassigned goaltender Marek Mazenec to the Milwaukee Admirals this afternoon. The move comes at the perfect time as Milwaukee faces its final three games in three nights stretch of the season this weekend.

The news comes of the heels of goaltender Pekka Rinne proclaiming himself fit and ready for Thursday’s Predators game against Anaheim. Yesterday Rinne told reporters that he felt better and expected to be back this week. Originally he had been expected to be out three to five weeks with a sprained knee after injuring it against Vancouver on January 13. The Vezina and Hart trophy candidate gave up his first ever NHL All-Star game selection in process.

During his latest two-part stint in the Music City, Mazenec added two more NHL appearances to his budding resume, stopping 43 of 47 shots, allowing two goals in a 3-0 loss in his latest appearance on January 30 against Colorado, and a no decision in relief duty during a 5-2 loss to Detroit on January 17. The 23-year-old now has 27 games of NHL experience on his resume.

After a tough November and December, where he recorded just three wins, Mazenec has been a perfect five-for-five with Milwaukee in January, including a 27-save overtime shutout of Rockford.

The Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic native currently sports a 13-8-3 record in 25 games with Milwaukee this season. He has a 2.41 goals against average and .909 save percentage. Tandem partner Magnus Hellberg is statistically the best goaltender in the AHL, with a 12-5-3 record, to go along with a league best 1.80 GAA and .932 save percentage in 23 games.

If Tuesday night’s game against Toronto was indeed Carter Hutton‘s last appearance for Nashville for a while, he sure left quite the memory. The former Rockford IceHog made the save of the year last night preserving 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs.

So Roundtable . . . Are you excited to have Hellberg and Mazenec back in the net for Milwaukee? Will the two goaltenders continue to split games, or will coach Dean Evason pick one horse to ride for the stretch run based on play?

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This might probably mean a wee-bit more than our friendly award dished up here on Roundtable. Viktor Arvidsson has just been named the CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for January.

Press Release via AHL:

Arvidsson, the CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month, scored six goals and added seven assists for 13 points in 12 games in January, helping the Admirals to a 10-2-0-0 record.

Arvidsson notched the game-winning goal and added an assist to help Milwaukee to a 4-1 win over Hamilton on Jan. 3, and tallied a pair of goals in a 5-0 win over Charlotte on Jan. 10. He assisted on the winning goal in the final minute of regulation on Jan. 16 at Utica, and his two-goal effort on Jan. 17 at Adirondack included scoring the winner in overtime. Arvidsson ran his point-scoring streak to six games (5g, 3a) with a goal in a 4-3 win vs. Iowa on Jan. 23, and closed out the month with an assist in Milwaukee’s 4-0 win at Grand Rapids on Jan. 31.

A fourth-round pick by Nashville in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Arvidsson ranks fourth among AHL rookies with 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 43 games for Milwaukee this season. The 21-year-old Arvidsson played the last two seasons with his hometown Skelleftea AIK in the Swedish Hockey League, helping them to back-to-back league championships.

In recognition of his achievement, Arvidsson will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Admirals home game.

Always great to see the Admirals get a weekly or monthly honor from the AHL. For how well Arvidsson played in January it shouldn’t be a surprise that he got at least the rookie honors. Nick Cousins of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms ended up with the CCM/AHL Player of the Month by scoring 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists). Meanwhile, Rockford IceHogs’ Michael Leighton was tabbed as the CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month.

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Tonight the Milwaukee Admirals have recalled defenseman Garrett Noonan from the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. This move shouldn’t come as much of a shock for those that saw Jimmy Oligny‘s injury in yesterday’s 4-0 win in Grand Rapids.

Noonan has played in 27 games this season for the Admirals and produced 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists), with a plus/minus rating of +2, and 13 penalty minutes. Down in the ECHL he has logged only 6 games and has only managed to record an assist – which came in last night’s Pink the Rink game. He has a -2 rating in the ECHL, 6 penalty minutes, and has averaged 2 shots on goal per game.

As for Oligny, he lost an edge in the second period of last night’s shutout victory and collided skates first into the end-boards. As his body caught up with him he went upright and bent his right knee at an awkward angle. I’m no doctor, but I would speculate that at best he sprained his MCL and at the absolute worst it could be a complete tear. Totally speculation on my part but it was obvious that this injury would be sidelining him long enough to where a Noonan recall would be required.

Thoughts on the move? Should the Milwaukee Admirals lock up Ian White for the rest of the season to sure-up their defense? Do the Admirals need more defensemen in camp?

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Prior to tonight’s game there is a roster move to announce. The Milwaukee Admirals have recalled Zach Budish from the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. In addition, Frédérick Gaudreau has been activated from reserve for the Cyclones.

Budish has played in only 13 games for the Admirals this season while scoring 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists). Interestingly, or entertainingly enough, the Admirals have yet to lose a single game that Budish has played in this season. Flukey stat, yes, but credit to him because this has been a good season for him. With the Cyclones he has 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) in 30 games at the ECHL level.

This is the second move for the Admirals before finishing off the All Star break with tonight’s game against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Marek Mazanec was recalled to Nashville earlier in the week and placed Rob Madore back up to Milwaukee. He should be serving on the bench with Magnus Hellberg starting tonight.

Thoughts on the addition of Budish? Should he be getting playing time at the AHL level over other lower-line wingers? Will Madore get an AHL start tomorrow night?

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The American Hockey League has officially announced the formation of a Pacific Division that will start for the 2015-16 playing season. The Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks will all moving their current AHL affiliates to California.

Press Release via AHL:

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced today that the league’s Board of Governors has formally and unanimously approved the steps necessary to create a Pacific Division within the AHL beginning with the 2015-16 season.

The Board has approved the following:

• The Anaheim Ducks will purchase the Norfolk Admirals AHL franchise and will relocate it from Norfolk, Va., to San Diego, Calif.

• The AHL franchise owned by the Calgary Flames will relocate from Glens Falls, N.Y., to Stockton, Calif.

• The AHL franchise owned by the Edmonton Oilers will relocate from Oklahoma City, Okla., to Bakersfield, Calif.

• The AHL franchise owned by the Los Angeles Kings will relocate from Manchester, N.H., to Ontario, Calif.

• The AHL franchise owned by the San Jose Sharks will relocate from Worcester, Mass., to San Jose, Calif.

Full division alignments and schedule formats for the 2015-16 season will be determined by the Board of Governors at a later date.

“Relocating five teams is a complex process, and we are very excited to have brought this initiative to a successful outcome,” said Andrews. “The Western-based NHL clubs have been in dialogue with our league for almost three years, and today’s announcement launches a new era for the American Hockey League and for professional hockey in California.”

“This is a wonderful growth opportunity for the game of hockey in the Western region and it will have a tremendous impact for years to come,” said Luc Robitaille, President of Business Operations for the Los Angeles Kings. “I want to commend each of the participating clubs, along with Dave Andrews, Bill Daly and Gary Bettman, for their commitment, patience and willingness to work through a very challenging but worthwhile process in order to get to this day.”

“The immense growth of the game of hockey in the state of California shows that hockey fans here love the game and they support it,” said San Jose Sharks Chief Operating Officer John Tortora. “Having our top prospects playing on the same coast as our National Hockey League team will greatly enhance our ability to monitor and enhance their development. The creation of this Pacific Division of the American Hockey League has been a long time in the making and is the result of an immense amount of hard work by the AHL, the NHL and the five Pacific Division teams. We are extremely excited to have this division become a reality and we can’t wait for October 2015.”

Formed in 1936, the American Hockey League serves as the top development league for players in all 30 National Hockey League organizations, as well as coaches, officials, executives, trainers and broadcasters throughout the NHL. More than 88 percent of today’s NHL players are graduates of the American Hockey League, and through the years the AHL has been home to more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

As mentioned in the release, full AHL divisional alignments for the 2015-16 season will be decided at a later date. One would assume a massive shuffle is in the cards with such a big change occurring.

While being a big day for the AHL it is also rather sad. You can give a wave goodbye to AHL hockey next season for Norfolk, Adirondack, Oklahoma City, Manchester, and Worcester. There is already chatter that ECHL hockey might step in to those markets but, fact today, their NHL affiliations are moving on without them.

Thoughts on today’s major AHL announcement? What will the Pacific Division mean in terms of the Western Conference and the Milwaukee Admirals? Does an announcement such as this make you appreciate the longevity of the Admirals that much more?

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The westward relocation plans for five teams have been one of the worst kept secrets in the American Hockey League for a long time.

It seems that cat might finally be let out of the bag this afternoon as the league has scheduled a press conference in San Jose for 12:30 P.M. Pacific Time to discuss a major announcement. Attendees to the conference include AHL President and CEO David Andrews, Deputy Commissioner of the NHL Bill Daly, and members of the brass from the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks.

The location of the event is actually relevant. It is the intention of the San Jose Sharks to have their AHL franchise become another tenant at the SAP Center (aka the Shark Tank), becoming the only team in the league to have said arrangement (The Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies play at Ricoh Coliseum, nearby to Air Canada Centre).

The four teams joining the Worcester Sharks on their journey across the Oregon Trail are in no particular order, Manchester (L.A.), Norfolk (Anaheim), Adirondack (Calgary), and of course, Oklahoma City (Edmonton), which announced it was ceasing the operations of the Barons in Oklahoma back in December.

Cities rumored in the past to be taking their place, via Joshua Cooper of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy, are all located in California: Stockton, Bakersfield, Ontario, Long Beach and San Diego, to go along with confirmed San Jose. Fresno was also rumored in connection to the Sharks move west.

Kevin Oklobzija of the Democrat & Chronicle stated that AHL Board of Governors voted during the 2015 All-Star Classic on the approval of the Kings moving the Monarchs to Ontario, California; the Oilers moving the Barons to Bakersfield, California; San Jose moving the AHL Sharks to San Jose, California; Anaheim purchasing the Norfolk Admirals and moving them to San Diego, California; and Calgary moving Adirondack to Stockton, California.

The Hockey News’ Jared Clinton confirmed that Stockton will be the eventual stopping off point for Calgary, which last offseason moved its AHL affiliate nearly 3,000 miles east from then-isolated Abbotsford, British Columbia to Glen Falls, New York for what proved to be an ill-fated one year stint. Relocating to Stockton represents another nearly 3,000 mile trek in the other direction. Adirondack’s previous team, the Phantoms, had left for Lehigh Valley during the summer.

The result of all of the franchise moving is that five NHL Western Conference teams will have their AHL prospects much closer to home in California. Will they be as close as the famed Jack Skille trek from Chicago to Rockford? In the case of San Jose (same building), Anaheim (San Diego) and Los Angeles (Ontario), yes. Edmonton to Bakersfield? Not so much.

As for the rest of the AHL, in the near future Arizona and Colorado are looking into moving their affiliates, Portland and Lake Erie respectively, west according to Clinton. Back in December, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune suggested the same fates for Arizona and Colorado, and speculated that Vancouver could move Utica, which just successfully hosted the AHL All-Star Classic, back west to now vacant Abbotsford. However, that is not in the immediate horizon.

The ECHL will likely be losing a big chunk of its Pacific Division, including the Bakersfield Condors, Stockton Thunder and Ontario Reign.

What does this all mean for the Milwaukee Admirals? For now mostly nothing, as the team is secure through 2016-17 with its extended affiliation agreement with Nashville. None of Milwaukee’s Midwest Division rivals, Chicago, Rockford, Lake Erie and Grand Rapids are expected to move west, east, north or south at this point either. The close geographically Iowa Stars also seem secure in near proximity to their NHL affiliate in St. Paul, Minnesota.

As far as league realignment and the schedule for 2015-16, obviously there are huge ramifications to be determined at a later date, via Clinton:

“One of the odder developments about the new division, however, is that they may play primarily against each other. Oklobzija stated the relocated franchises might have a reduced schedule, in the range of 60 to 66 games, while other teams in the league play upwards of 70. This would effectively allow for proper travel time while not lengthening the season, but the costs may hinder travel between the long-standing east coast divisions and the new, yet to be named division.”

Beyond ’16-’17, if, and this is purely an if, the Nashville Predators or another NHL team was looking to move their AHL affiliate, Norfolk would likely be an attractive option for a new AHL home base, as well as the currently NHL/AHL-devoid Atlanta area. Norfolk averages 4,553 fans per home date, ranking 16th, while Milwaukee averages 4,401, good for 18th out of 30 teams. Distance-wise Norfolk is actually further away from Nashville than Milwaukee. The Gwinnett Gladiators (near Atlanta), average 4,543 fans per home date in the ECHL.

So Roundtable . . . What do think of the AHL’s Westward Expansion? Can it last and be successful? Are more teams on the move in the near future, and if so, which teams will be packing their bags for greener pastures?

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Ever since the sale of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise from Herb Kohl to Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry last April the looming news of a new arena has been rather quiet and mysterious. The sale of the Bucks was dependent on the new owners being able to meet the NBA’s deadline of establishing a new playing facility for the Bucks by November 2017. The NBA sees the 27-year old BMO Harris Bradley Center as obsolete. Questions such as “where and when” have to take a backseat to the question of “how” first. It would appear that the “how” is being settled. And we’re now closing in on the fun part.

This week there were some new developments as it pertains to the development of a brand new arena in Milwaukee. The economic impact of this new arena seems to have been put into perspective. On Tuesday, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker unveiled a “jock tax” allocation plan that would mean no new public taxes would be created. Essentially, to borrow Walker’s label, the Bucks will be paying their own way.

So, if the financial side of this conundrum has been puzzled together, then this all comes down to where and when. Where does this new arena get built? And, once settled upon a location, when does the process start and finish? With the news of Tuesday’s “jock tax” also came some renderings of what this potential new arena might look like.

For a rendering of what it might look like. It looks sharp. Much more modern than the current concrete dungeon look of the BMO Harris Bradley Center. I would hope that this new arena, in terms of design, minimizes the number of seats within the facility in favor of space to make the experience more comfortable and intimate. And that’s what the court level view kind of looks like to me with the added flair of glass panels inside the arena itself.

There has yet to be a location chosen for the new arena site but there have been a few spots chucked out over the course of time. The lot across from the BMO Harris Bradley Center, taking down Grand Avenue Mall and replacing it with a new arena while establishing a new mall where the BC was, or possibly even locating it near the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. Again, the next question to really be addressed next is then where and when.

So what does this all mean for the Milwaukee Admirals? Good news you would think. A new arena means new tenants are needed. Any building such as that needs dates scheduled and operations to bring in business. If the NBA considers the BMO Harris Bradley Center obsolete than so to must the Admirals and Marquette University as a new arena would effectively mean the death of the Bradley Center.

As for that headache inducing question of, “would a new arena attract an NHL franchise to Milwaukee, wink wink Sports Illustrated. I simply do not see it happening. At least not straight away. A great example to me of how this could pan out in the long run is the MTS Centre in Winnipeg. It was constructed in 2003 and opened in 2004. The Manitoba Moose moved in the year it opened and would play there as an AHL franchise up until 2011 when the Atlanta Thrashers moved to town and revived the Jets in Winnipeg.

Could a new arena in Milwaukee attract an NHL franchise? Historically this has proven to not be the case. The Bradley Center was built with the NHL in mind and never accomplished that feat. Yet, with so many swirling rumors of expansion in the NHL, of course a new arena in Milwaukee will get the name into the discussion. I feel like Milwaukee as it stands from a geographical standpoint would be far better suited for success than a Las Vegas franchise. But, with other locations such as Quebec City, Seattle, and even another team in Toronto as possibilities. I just don’t see it happening simply because a new arena is on the way.

What are your reactions to the recent news on the Milwaukee Bucks arena plans? Is the “Jock Tax” a good thing? (Please not turn the comments into a full scale political attack platform, plz thx) Also, could the new arena mean NHL hockey in Milwaukee? Could Milwaukee sustain an NHL franchise?

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There are two roster moves to mention ahead of tonight’s 2015 AHL All Star Classic. The first move is one that should have been expected. The Nashville Predators have recalled Marek Mazanec to the NHL. The second one is a little bit more unexpected. Patrick Cehlin will be joining Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League on loan for the rest of this season.

Cehlin is currently in the last year of his entry-level contract. This move back to his native Sweden should signal an end to his playing career within the organization. He took to Twitter this afternoon to say the following, “Just wanna take a quick minute to thank everyone from @mkeadmirals for the past 2,5 years. Many good memories and friends that I will keep for the rest off my life!”

During his time with the Admirals Cehlin battle through concussions as well as the scary situation this past off-season where he had a blood clot that developed following hip surgery. It delayed his 2014-15 season and, once he started, only played 4 games and didn’t score a point. He was reassigned to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL where he played 9 games, scored 4 points (3 goals, 1 assist), had a plus/minus rating of -4, and 6 penalty minutes. He would then suffer another injury that would see him return to Milwaukee to rehab it before getting set up with a loan move with Leksands IF of the SHL.

In Cehlin’s career with the Admirals he played in 112 games and scored 56 points (15 goals, 41 assists).

Mazanec’s second call up on the season comes after being shipped back to Milwaukee during the NHL All Star break. There was some speculation then if that meant a Magnus Hellberg call up could happen after his AHL All Star duties were done. Then he was pulled from Wednesday night’s 3-2 shootout win against the Utica Comets faster than you can read this sentence. Mazanec entered in relief and stopped every shot he faced and held serve in the shootout to win that game. He then got the start Friday night and stopped 25/28 shots on goal in the Admirals 4-3 win over the Iowa Wild.

Good news for Predators fans, alongside the Mazanec recall news was the follow up news that Pekka Rinne resumed skating today. He suffered a lower-body injury against the Vancouver Canucks earlier this month. Still not sure what the time table would be on Rinne’s returning ETA but my guess is that he’s a week or so away. That’s my guess. Your’s is probably as good as mine.

Probably just a matter of time before we should see Rob Madore back into the fold here in Milwaukee. I’m sure that news will come soon enough.

Thoughts on today’s news? What have you thought of Cehlin’s time in the organization? Did Nashville call up the right goaltender?

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Things like the Skills Competition are all about fun. That is exactly the sort of show that got put together tonight in Utica. The Eastern Conference squad got the 15-11 win over the Western Conference at the end of the day but it was great entertainment. Magnus Hellberg looked good in net. And Brendan Leipsic had a make-shift junior hockey reunion.

The first event with an Admiral involved was the Sher-Wood Puck Control Relay. Leipsic acted as the closer for the Western Conference’s second race. By the time it came for him to finish off the Eastern Conference’s Chris Wideman – he already had a good enough gap to secure the win. It was a smooth skate for Leipsic.

Then it was Hellberg’s turn and his first challenge was the Rapid Fire segment. Firing pucks from both sides of the net were Chris Bourque and Brendan Shinnimin. They each fired five pucks on net, Hellberg slipped a bit when going to his right, fell back to his left and made a great glove save, and -in total- only allowed two goals from ten shots. You can watch that highlight here.

Leipsic also was involved in Rapid Fire as a shooter. He paired with Bobby Sanguinetti to throw pucks past Connor Hellebuyck. Leipsic scored on two out of his five shots.

It’s worth giving a shoutout to a non-Admiral. Colin Miller of the Manchester Monarchs won both the Fastest Skater and Hardest Shot challenges tonight. The 22-year old defenseman set an AHL record by pounding a 105.5 mph slap shot in for the Hardest Shot challenge.

Hellberg’s next time out was probably the most difficult challenge of them all. The Pass & Shoot challenge is effectively a goalie having to stop a three-on-naught breakaway. The fact that more goals didn’t go in for this challenge was a bit sad. Everyone outside of the group that Hellberg faced went a bit pass happy and ran out of room before getting a shot off. Helberg only stopped one of three chances in this event.

The Breakaway Relay finished off the night and had both Admirals involved. Hellberg again was the first goalie to start the event for the West and nearly shut the door on all six shooters he faced. The Swede has always excelled in shootouts. It took a crafty shot by Tim Kennedy to put one past him. As for Leipsic, he skated in straight and went with a late forehand to whirling backhander that was pushed off by Jean-François Bérubé.

Leipsic might not be too thrilled about his shootout miss but that probably takes a backseat to the little Portland Winterhawks reunion he found himself in. Former teammates of his in juniors were all smiles as they celebrated their time at the AHL All Star Skills Competition tonight. That group consisted of Derrick Pouliot, Matt Dumba, and Ty Rattie.

Enjoy the AHL Skills Competition tonight? Was it more entertaining that the NHL’s? Do you feel like tomorrow’s game will be any better or worse than today’s NHL All Star Game?

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