The International Hockey League (IHL) conducted a dispersal draft on Wednesday to disperse players from the 2006-07 final rosters of the Chicago Hounds, Elmira Jackals, Quad City Mallards and Rockford IceHogs. Those four Member Clubs will not participate in the 2007-08 IHL season.
The order in which current Member Clubs selected players was based on their winning percentage in the final standings of the 2006-07 season, with lowest-ranked teams choosing first. By choosing a player in the dispersal draft, IHL teams have the rights to the selected player for the 2007-08 season.
2007 IHL DISPERSAL DRAFT
ROUND ONE
(Team) (Player)
Bloomington Don Parsons (F), Quad City
Port Huron Marty Magers (G), Chicago
Flint Steve MacIntyre (D), Quad City
Kalamazoo Chris Busby (D), Chicago
Muskegon Todd Grant (LW), Chicago
Fort Wayne Sergei Durdin (D), Quad City
ROUND TWO
Bloomington Jason Tapp (G), Quad City
Port Huron Chris Gehrke (D), Chicago
Flint Frederic Cloutier (G), Rockford
Kalamazoo Chris Mann (D), Quad City
Muskegon Mark Nebus (F), Chicago
Fort Wayne Justin Chwedoruk (F), Quad City
ROUND THREE
Bloomington Tim Wedderburn (D), Elmira
Port Huron Mike Letizia (D), Rockford
Flint Brent Currie (D), Quad City
Kalamazoo Joel Rechlicz (RW), Chicago
Muskegon Matt Johnson (F), Chicago
Fort Wayne Brett Pilkington (F), Quad City
ROUND FOUR
Bloomington Jason Ralph (F), Rockford
Port Huron Robert Chappell (D), Elmira
Flint Nathan Lutz (D), Rockford
Kalamazoo Jordan Hart (D), Chicago
Muskegon Matt Amado (C), Chicago
Fort Wayne Jesse Bennefield (RW), Rockford
ROUND FIVE
Bloomington B.J. Radovich (C), Chicago
Port Huron David Morelli (F), Elmira
Flint Paul Brown (RW), Rockford
Kalamazoo Tim Plett (F), Chicago
Muskegon Sean Starke (F), Quad City
Fort Wayne Anthony Pototschnik (F), Quad City
ROUND SIX
Bloomington Jake Moreland (G), Rockford
Port Huron Bryce Cockburn (RW), Rockford
Flint Luke Stauffacher (F), Quad City
Kalamazoo Maris Ziedins (C), Chicago
Muskegon Bruce Watson (LW), Rockford
Fort Wayne Mike Sgroi (LW), Elmira
ROUND SEVEN
Bloomington Matt Radoslovich (F), Quad City
Port Huron Drew Otten (F), Chicago
Flint Dan Veenema (D), Elmira
Kalamazoo Matt Gens (D), Rockford
Muskegon Corey Hessler (D), Rockford
Fort Wayne Travis Granbois (F), Quad City
ROUND EIGHT
Bloomington Mike Oliveira (C), Elmira
Port Huron Dan Boeser (D), Rockford
Flint Luke Fritshaw (D), Rockford
Kalamazoo Preston Mizzi (C), Rockford
Muskegon Benoit Doucet (LW), Rockford
Fort Wayne Erik Anderson (C), Elmira
ROUND NINE
Bloomington Andrei Lupandin (D), Elmira
Port Huron Darryl McArthur (D), Chicago
Flint Jason Notermann (LW), Rockford
Kalamazoo Brad Smith (G), Quad City
Muskegon Jami Yoder (D), Quad City
Fort Wayne Mike Kautz (D), Chicago
ROUND TEN
Bloomington Chad Loikets (D), Rockford
Port Huron Mike Brolsma (C), Quad City
Flint Curtis Tidball (RW), Elmira
Kalamazoo Rod Aldoff (D), Chicago
Muskegon Kelly Miller (C), Chicago
Fort Wayne Will McMahon (F), Quad City
ROUND ELEVEN
Bloomington Josh Elzinga (D), Chicago
Port Huron Scott Seney (C), Chicago
Flint Zach Sikich (G), Elmira
Kalamazoo Nicolas Corbeil (C), Rockford
Muskegon Thomas Zabkowicz (D), Chicago
Fort Wayne Shawn Degagne (G), Elmira
ROUND TWELVE
Bloomington Patrick Nadeau (RW), Quad City
Port Huron Dave Lemanowicz (G), Chicago
Flint T.J. Reynolds (D), Elmira
Kalamazoo Andrew Leach (F), Elmira
Muskegon Kaleb Betts (F), Rockford
Fort Wayne Bobby Kukulka (RW), Elmira
ROUND THIRTEEN
Bloomington Mike Doyle (LW), Rockford
Port Huron Kevin Ulanski (F), Rockford
Flint Pass
Kalamazoo Dale Lupul (D), Quad City
Muskegon Derek Miller (D), Quad City
Fort Wayne Frank Littlejohn (RW), Elmira
ROUND FOURTEEN
Bloomington Noah Katz (C), Elmira
Port Huron Chad Woollard (F), Quad City
Flint Pass
Kalamazoo Blake Stewart (LW), Quad City
Muskegon Scott Drevitch (D), Elmira
Fort Wayne Chaz Johnson (RW), Rockford
ROUND FIFTEEN
Bloomington Eric Lind (D), Elmira
Port Huron Marc Lefebvre (LW), Elmira
Flint ---
Kalamazoo ---
Muskegon ---
Fort Wayne ---
Comments
I still think we're going to lose some more teams between now and the start of the season, too.
That would mean even more guys looking for jobs.
Plus, our league usually waits until players don't make the E or the A and then sign them. I was a bit worried, but the more I think about it, players will figure it out and start coming.
I heard yesterday, and no one will confirm it but I believe it, that the UHL is going to have a salary cap that is at least $3,000 ahead of the other two AA leagues. If that's true, then they won't have to wait on anybody else. It's like David Franke said, Pascal if he gets sent to the E will likely make less money than if he had been able to sign here.
Blake: Is that $3,000 more per week? Was the UHL team cap $10,000 per week last year? If so, that sounds like a significant increase to me.
But the dream to play in the NHL trumps all IMO. If Pascal wants to make less for a chance at the top level, God bless him for that.
sometyimes some guys have to realize the dream is just that. pascal is a decent guy but the show is something he'll have to buy a ticket for.
I really like Pascal also, but I agree with you chuckitt, sometimes you just have to give it up. He is only 24-25, so more power to him.
Blake, the think I heard is that the higher salary cap only adds up to around 75 bucks more a week for players? Someone broke it down on another board. I think all the naysayers are in for a rude awakening come October. These guys only have a few options and they will trickle down to the I.
The last thing I want to do is tell someboby they can't realize their dream. And futhermore, who am I, or anyone else here for that matter, to tell somone like Pascal they he can't realize his dream?
Even if it's ``only'' $75 a week how many of us would turn it down? That's $300 per month and almost $2,000 for the season. Of couse that would only pay my gas bill from driving up to help Rick with his bar tab.
Last year it was $300,000 for a 26-week season, or about $11,500 per week for an average of $605 per week. This year, adding an extra roster spot and if it's $14,000, that's $700 per week. Plus the UHL pays their housing, even going so far as to pay mortgages for players who own houses. I don't know how that works in other leagues.
It's amazing what you can do when you have owners who are properly financed. What a concept!
I hope Pascal does make it, both for his sake and it would benefit the Komets in recruiting, proving you could make it from this league. Plus it would be fun to watch him on TV.
I'm down with it Blake, just hope the players are also.
With possible NHL expansion in the next couple of years I guess anything is possible. Pascal may have the heart and the raw tools to make it as a grinder but what will hold him back is his speed. He isn't "slow" when you compare him to his competition last season but I am not sure he has the wheels to play at the NHL level. That isn't a knock on Pascal at all. The speed issue is what keeps a large percentage of players from advancing even if their puck handling and scoring skills are on par with NHL players.
Tony,
I saw something about possible NHL expansion too - I can't believe they're even THINKING about adding more teams. IMO, the NHL needs to CUT teams, not add them.
As far as Pascal goes, I too would like to see him make it to the NHL someday. Heck, if they add teams, that means more jobs. What amazes me is how some players who played in the old "I" or with the Komets and weren't that impressive ever made it to the NHL.
Did anyone see if Robin Big Snake got drafted MAN? And Greg I told you taht there was a draft but YOU did not listen to ME.
Yeah but not that many. At best 50 beacuse they would have to expand the AHL as well, maybe.
Warrior,
Big Snake got traded to Bloomigton last year, they still retain his rights, MAN!
Did anyone see if Greg Puhulski got drafted MAN? KW's brother saw him at a diner in Fort Wayne and he was eating a hamburger and french fries. You think maybe he was hungry? Maybe he will be the assistant coach for the Komets MAN. I still have his Cardboard Cutout in my basement if the Komets need him to coach.
If the NHL expands it will be a joke!! I complete money move, 160 million franchise fee. The people that run the league have no respect for the sport.
MAN, I can't believe the BIG SNAKE trade slipped by the OHIC! What's going on, KW. Maybe you ought to hire JungleMonkey as your top investigative reporter since you are slipping!
Has Syro signed a contract with an NHL team? If not, and he thinks he is going to make an ECHL team as a walk on, he's in for a big surprise.
He may have 25% more talent than an NHL-contracted ECHL'er, but he'll warm the bench on orders from the parent club,' cause they want the guys they own to get the ice time.
More than one ECHL'er has migrated this way when they weren't happy there.
Blake keeps mentioning and i am sure it is not getting understood by some, that there could be fewer teams in all of minor league hockey. The things i have seen going on in the economy support this.
The business decisions made by the IHL and their plans to move forward are remarkable. This is a group of owners who are smart enough to reorganize and plan for the future before its too late.
if we sign more than 1 from the dispersal draft i would say it was a successful one.
Jeff The only places I would like to see the NHL "expand" is back to Winnipeg, Quebec City and maybe even Hartford.
In todays NHL these cities would be able to compete financially.
I agree with you on the ex IHLers How the heck did the human statue Todd Reirden play almost 200 NHL games? Heck Tom Nemeth was the same kind of D-man and as steady a minor league player as he was you never would have seen him in an NHL uniform.
Nemeth in a NHL sweater.... I just spat AppleJacks all over my monitor, Thanks Tony. =)
LOL sorry about that. What a waste of applejacks.
But really the two were the same players. They basically did a pretty good job of standing people up at the blue line and clearing the zone. Actually Nemeth could actually unleash a pretty good point shot when he wanted to which is something Reirden could not do but for the most part both coasted back and forth from blue line to blue line.
Well who knows. Mike O'neill who was the NHL version of Terry Felton kept getting chances so anything is possible.
BUt that makes the case for some that by expanding the league it dilutes the talent and there by your have a lesser product. By contracting the league you force the lesser talent out and have a better quality product. That kind of sounds likewhat the IHL wants to do. We'll see.
I guess that was my whole point of bringing it up. Why in the world does the NHL think it needs to expand whenit needs to lop off about 8-10 teams?
I agree it sounds like nothing else BUT a money grab. When will the board of governors or whoever keeps Mr. Bettman around get with the program and move him down the road and get a HOCKEY man running the NHL?
While recent rule changes helped the NHL put the spotlight on its talented players, guys who could put the puck in the net and the goalies, there are FAR too many teams in the league.
Ideally, here would be my list (note the return of the traditional conference and division names)
Prince of Wales Conference
Adams Division - Boston, Buffalo, Hartford, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.
Patrick Division - NJ, NYI, NYR, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington.
Campbell Conference
Norris Division - Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, St. Louis.
Smythe Division - Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg.
I could live with Hartford being exchanged for Carolina and with 2 Stanley Cups, you'd probably have to keep the Avalanche around, but IMO, no NHL hockey should be played in California or Florida.
I know I'm dreaming, but wouldn't it this be a much better product? (Sorry about the apple jacks JM)
I am not sure you are correct about California. The Sharks have never had a problem drawing fans. You never hear rumours about the Kings or the Ducks being in any kind of trouble either. Florida is a whole other story.They suffer from the same problem as Phoenix. In the winter there are more non native Floridians living there than there are native.
I am all for the plan of putting a team in the Kitchener Waterloo area of Ontario. There are more than enough people who cannot get or afford Leafs tickets as well as people who are just fed up with the Leafs (sadly I have not gotten to that point yet) That area is also one of the fastest growing areas in all of North America. You would draw fans in from Hamilton and London to go along with Guelph, Cambridge and of course Kitchener Waterloo. So you are talking about over 2 million people, most of which are hockey fans. I dont think there are 2 million hockey fans combined in Arizona, Florida and (as much as I wish it would work because I love the state) Tennessee. I also never understood why Columbus got a team and Indianapolis could not. I think the excuse that fans will not support hockey in the winter because of the Pacers is bogus. Really neither city should have a team but if I was going to pick one or the other it would have been Indy all day.
Can I post now?
Man ,was having problems there for a while, couldn't post.
Tony, I wonder if the lack of support for the Ice and the fact that the Pacers AND the Colts were there. Columbus doesn't have that kind of competiton.
Do the Pacers have anyone left who is not going to jail?
Gheesh I used to root for them until they brought in guys who were not criminal enough to play for Portland but now I bleed Raptor blue.