As we all know, the Rockford IceHogs are evil incarnate. They are in your face, tooth and nail, nasty. Last season the IceHogs averaged 22.6 penalty minutes per game for a league leading 1716 penalty minutes. The year before that? They had the second most penalty minutes in the AHL with 1391. The IceHogs are fierce, physical, and are a team that have scrapped it out with much success against the Admirals in recent years. The season series last year went to the IceHogs who went 7-4-1-0 in 12 meetings against the Ads. The year prior was even worse: the IceHogs won 10 of 12 contests.

Rockford will enter tonight’s game in Milwaukee with the best record in the Western Conference, 7-3-1-0 (15 pts). They have played a league high 11 games, though. Including a 5-3 loss in Rockford last night against the Charlotte Checkers. That game saw the IceHogs post 30 penalty minutes with ex-Admiral Brad Winchester taking center stage. He received a 5 minute major for interference and a 10 minute game misconduct to boot. No footage of that incident online yet (please link to that if you find it), but it does tell me enough about the IceHogs entering this first match against the Ads this season. They are entering that little bit tired off of a tough game against the Checkers. They are also entering with a chip on their shoulder. …so, IceHogs, Ads, chippy affair, what else is new?

To me, the standout player for the IceHogs has been Antti Raanta between the pipes. This is the Fin’s first professional season State-side after spending 5 years in the Finnish Elite League. Raanta has enjoyed the majority of time in net over Kent Simpson through 11 games. He has a .920 SV% to go with 5 wins in 8 starts (including 2 wins in the shootout). In the pre-season contest between the Ads and IceHogs, it was the Raanta and Hellberg show as they matched each other save for save right up until the last shootout attempt in the tenth round of the shootout. Small sample size, but Raanta really impressed me with his play in net. He wasn’t fooled by anything the Ads threw at him in that game. The only two pucks to get past him in the game came from a Roussel shorthander and a Tousignant shootout attempt. With the Ads desperately looking for a fast start to a game they must challenge Raanta early and often if they’re going to hit the net.

Your thoughts on tonight’s game? Will the Ads point streak to start the season continue? Who do you see on the score sheet for the Ads and can we expect more than one fight tonight?

Last year’s season ended with the Texas Stars topping the Ads 3-1 in the opening round of the Playoffs. As far as the regular season went the Stars took two of two from the Ads. With not too much shaken up from the rosters it’s clear to expect a toughy for the Ads at home come Saturday night.

The player the Ads will need to slow down is current AHL Player of the Week Travis Morin. Just look at what he has produced already this season: 8 goals and 9 assists… in 7 games. He is a mere 4 goals shy from his entire 2012-13 production. Morin has played a major cog to the Stars hot 5-1-1-0 start to the season that sees them atop the Western Conference (with those diabolical IceHogs). To beat the Stars is to slow down Morin and a hot Texas offense that has scored the most goals in the AHL to start the season.

It’s one thing to have this type of explosive offense. It’s another thing to pair it with great goaltending. That’s just who the Stars are and they feature a pair of quality goalies in net.

Captain ‘Merica Jack Campbell made a name for himself with his outstanding effort in net as Team USA won the 2010 IIHF World U20 Championship. The 21 year-old Michigan native played his first full professional season with the Stars last year. He went 19-13-3-3 in net with a 2.65 GAA and a .905 SV%. This year he has started twice and won both games with a sharp .956 SV%. Overall, still a work in progress for the Stars… but easily the future choice between the pipes for Dallas in the NHL.

While Campbell was the name in camp last year it was Cristopher Nilstorp who shouldered the load in last year’s playoff run. It was his first pro tenure State-side and he split the load with Campbell: 19-13-3-3, 2.38 GAA, and a .907 SV%. He’s played more games in net to start this season, but hasn’t quite provided as sparkling of a production as the young-gun Campbell. My expectation would be that Campbell gets the start against the Ads Saturday night. If he doesn’t though? The Stars have a solid alternative.

Oh yeah. Then there is this Chris Mueller character to talk about. The former Admiral returns to face his ye olde team for the first time after playing 262 games for Milwaukee. He scored 87 goals, 86 assists, and appeared in 25 playoff games for the Ads. Yet, after a decent stint with the Nashville Predators last season (18 games, 2 goals, 3 assists), the long-time member of the Ads headed off to Texas for an opportunity with the Stars. He has 3 goals and 5 assists to start this season off. He’s just one more part of a stellar offense the Stars feature. It’ll be fun to see the reception he receives as well as the on-ice interactions with his former teammates.

The last time the Ads suited up was without Patrick Cehlin, Kevin Henderson, and Joonas Jarvinen. No real time table was established for the players injuries but, in talking with Dean Evason last game, it sounds unlikely that Jarvinen will be in this contest. As for Cehlin and Henderson? We’ll probably get a better idea as to their fitness come game time. With an offensive explosion on the cards… the Ads sure could use them.

With Hellberg enjoying life up in Nashville for the first time it should be a tremendous opportunity for Marek Mazanec. He had a solid camp and a great first outing in a road victory against Grand Rapids. The team feels very comfortable with the young Czech in the net. It’ll be a great game for him to show everyone what he is capable of.

Thoughts on the return of Chris Mueller? Will Mazanec hold up while Hellberg is in Nashville? Who steps up if Cehlin and Henderson remain out of the lineup?

Ahh, the Amtrak Rivalry to kick off the home opener. Couldn’t have asked for a better opponent. One problem, especially to those who didn’t follow this news story late last season, the team is a little different this year.

Late last season it was announced that the Vancouver Canucks would not renew their deal to keep the Chicago Wolves as their AHL affiliate. Enter the St. Louis Blues who waved “so long” to the Peoria Rivermen. What became of Peoria? The Rivermen were wrapped up and shipped off to Utica, New York to become the Utica Comets – the new Canucks affiliate.

So, recap time. The Wolves are still here but were given a heart transplant. The Wolves of last year are now the Utica Comets. And the Peoria Rivermen, as we know it, no longer exist… outside of a Southern Professional Hockey League team that bears its name.

I don’t know about you but that makes me sad.

Who are the Wolves this year? Well, looking at last year’s Rivermen to this year’s Wolves, a fairly different but talented and young outfit – especially if you ignore Keith Aucoin.

According to Hockey’s Future’s Top 20 prospects for the St. Louis Blues, the Amtrak rivals have seven of the Top 20 on their roster: Jake Allen G (3), Ty Rattie RW (4), Dmitrij Jaskin RW (5), Joel Edmundson D (9), Jani Hakanpaa D (10), Yannick Veilleux LW (13), and Cade Fairchild D (18).

Jake Allen is certainly deserving the top nod as far as prospects go on the Wolves roster. The 23 year-old goalie is entering his fourth year of professional hockey and enjoyed a solid stint in the NHL last year with the Blues. Last year in Peoria, Allen produced a 13-19-2 record, 2.89 GAA, and a .904 SV%. Yet, with the Blues he played better with 9 wins from 15 starts, 2.46 GAA, and a .905 SV%. He has also started the season off with two wins in two starts with a razor sharp .973 SV%. In my book, he is the heart and soul of the team. If he is on his game the rest of the team responds. That was the case for him last year and so far in this young season.

Last year the Admirals clobbered the Wolves in the Amtrak rivalry by winning ten of twelve contests. The head-to-head against the Rivermen last year (more prevalent), the Ads went 8-2-0-2.

Against the Rivermen last year: Mark Van Guilder tallied four goals and five assists while Austin Watson put up five goals and three assists. For those with a good memory as well, you might recall that goaltender Magnus Hellberg absolutely owned the Rivermen last season: 5 games, 4 wins, 3 shutouts, 0.6 GAA, and a .979 SV%.

Either way you slice it, last year’s Wolves or Rivermen, this is favorable meeting for the Ads. The Wolves enter with a 2-3-0-0 record in five games against the Ads 2-0-1-0 in three. The Bradley Center should be set for a fun home opener for the Ads.

Last year the Grand Rapids Griffins had a stunning season. They claimed the Midwest division and enjoyed a thrilling playoff run en route to their first Calder Cup success. On paper, not too much has changed from that Cup winning team. So, what should be expected of the 2013-14 Griffins? Considering there will be up to 17 returning cast members from last year expect more of the same.

The team boasts a plethora of young talent. According to Hockey’s Future’s Top 20 prospects for the Detroit Red Wings, the Griffins have twelve of the Top 20 on their roster: Gustav Nyquist LW (1), Petr Mrazek G (2), Calle Jarnkrok C (4), Tomas Jurco RW (7), Riley Sheahan C (8), Ryan Sproul D (9), Xavier Ouellet D (10), Martin Frk RW (11), Teemu Pulkkinen RW (12), Landon Ferraro C (15), Alexei Marchenko D (18), and Adam Almquist D (19).

The most puzzling name on that list: Nyquist. Not because of his talent. Not because of his prospect placement. But because, well, why? Why?! Why is a player this talented back in the AHL to start the season? Last season in the AHL he played 58 games, scored 23 goals, and picked up 37 assists. He also suited up for 22 games with the Red Wings where he managed 3 goals and 3 assists. Already three games into this season he has 2 goals and 4 assists. Simply put. This kid isn’t going to be in Grand Rapids for too much longer.

Another big name back from last year is netminder Petr Mrazek. The 21 year-old from the Czech Republic was fantastic in his first professional season last year with the Griffins. He played the bulk of games in net and recorded 23 wins, 2.33 GAA, and a .916 SV%. The Red Wings might have a good goalie in Jimmy Howard who they’ve investing in for the next six years, but Mrazek is a player I expect to hear great things from at the NHL level for a number of years. He is fast, athletic, and can only improve between the ears with time.

The Admirals defensemen better be prepared for some speed in this match up. Why? Darren Helm is suiting up for the Griffins. One of the fastest skaters in the NHL, Helm has been incredibly banged up in recent years. Most recently he has been nursing a groin injury, but is expected to hit the comeback trail with a game against the Admirals Friday night.

Last season the Ads went 5-3-0-0 against the Griffins. Patrick Cehlin lead the team in scoring against them with 3 goals and 2 assists. Also pesky against the Griffins is Taylor Beck who in 10 games has a goal and 7 assists in the match up.

How do you see the Ads fairing against the Griffins? Will the solid start on the road continue?

The Admirals season opens up -FINALLY- tomorrow night on the road against the Abbotsford Heat. It will be the first of a back-to-back with the Heat. The follow up to the Ads 2013-14 curtain raiser will take place no less than 24 hours later. New season for the Ads. New season for the Heat. So, let’s scout the enemy!

The Heat finished last season with a 34-32-4-6 record that put them out of the Calder Cup playoff picture. There are a few familiar names back from last season, but the affiliate of the Calgary Flames boast plenty of prospects this year that should be a big boost.

According to Hockey’s Future’s Top 20 prospects for the Calgary Flames, the Heat will field nine of that list on their roster: C Max Reinhart (4), D Tyler Wotherspoon (6), D Patrick Sieloff (7), C Corban Knight (13), LW Michael Ferland (15), C Markus Granlund (16), D Mark Cundari (17), D John Ramage (18), LW Ben Hanowski (19).

What stands out to me here is defense. There are some quality young defensemen on the Heat with the name Wotherspoon being among the brightest of the core. Wotherspoon was a 2nd Round selection of the Flames in 2011. This will be his first year of professional hockey after a very outstanding career with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. It’s going to be a great watch to see how he handles the AHL level at the start of the season, and the Ads will be amongst his first tests as a pro.

Another one of those Top 20 names that’ll be fun to watch this year is Reinhart. The 64th overall selection in the 2010 Draft made his pro debut with the Heat in the 2011-12 season by scoring two goals in his first game. Yet, that appearance was late in the season and his only appearance. His first full season as a pro came last year. He played 67 games, scored 7 goals, 14 assists, and posted a less than stellar plus/minus of -26. As far as games against the Ads go, he was the biggest threat on the ice last season. In the four games the two matched up Reinhart put up a team best 3 points against the Ads. So, small note to the Milwaukee defense: stop Maximilian.

A name that doesn’t appear on the Top 20 list that deserves mention, Joni Ortio. The 22 year old netminder has been developing in the Finnish Elite League and the AHL the past few years and has been steadily improving between the pipes. His standout performance to date came in the 2011 IIHF U20 World Juniors for Team Finland where he posted a 1.86 GAA with a .931 SV% in six games. Another season means more experience for the young Fin. Expect more improvement from one of the many names hoping to take claim to Miikka Kiprusoff’s ye olde throne.

Also worth mentioning, because I just can’t help it, Mike Liambas versus Zach McKelvie. I don’t believe we’ll necessarily see a Round II, but believe me when I say Abbotsford is a team prided on physicality and toughness. The team has played two games this season and have already set a team record for fighting majors in an opening weekend with six. Expect Mr. Liambas and company to have a little Dosey Doe or two.

How do you think that the Ads will fair this weekend against the Heat?