#109

Biscuits and Breezers

  Welcome back to another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Well this will be the first blog with the new 5 team format so I hope you all enjoy it! Before we move on though, I have to apologize for the rapid and vast change that has occurred over the last couple of months with this site. Thank you very much for sticking around with me and with Biscuits and Breezers while things have been shifted around. I know I have not put out as many articles as I usually would during the off season but there are many to come! Here is the first blog in the "new chapter" of this site. Enjoy!

   

   

This Month in the NHL:

* Newly acquired UFA Calgary Flames goaltender Jonas Hiller has been diagnosed with a case of appendicitis. He had an appendicitis attack while reportedly working at a goalie camp in Verbier, Switzerland and has indeed undergone a minor procedure to correct the problem. 

* Tampa Bay Lightning Prospect Adam Erne had wrist surgery on the 10th and he will be out for about 6-8 weeks. 

* Capitals forward Tom Wilson has fractured his fibula in a nasty fall about 2 weeks ago and has had surgery to repair the damage. It is reported that it is possible he will be in line up for the camp scheduled for September 18th but with this type of injury nothing can be positive.

* After multiple doctors appointments, it has been concluded that Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will not, I repeat not, undergo arthroscopic wrist surgery on his injured right wrist. He has been receiving treatment for the injury and has chosen, with medical advice, to avoid surgery. He will be regularly examined to make sure the healing process continues smoothly. It is not a guaranteed solution to the problem and if it does indeed fail he probably will require the surgery. 

* LA Kings forward Kyle Clifford is recovering after having wrist surgery to mend a fractured wrist bone that occurred last month. His recovery time is estimated to be between 6-8 weeks. 

* Nashville Predators forward Mike Fisher will be out of the NHL for at least 4-6 months after sustaining a ruptured Achille's tendon. The tendon was ruptured during a training session and had surgery on July 3rd to repair it.

* Lastly, Ottawa Senators General Manager Bryan Murray has unfortunately been diagnosed with cancer and will be undergoing treatment as soon as possible. 

-- You can find the lasting and up to date NHL player signings here: NHL Player Tracker --

Phenomenal 2013-2014 NHL Highlights Video!

The EIHL's Latest News:

Here are the signings so far for the 2014-2015 season:

 Braehead Clan: Canadian defenseman Scott Aarssen, American defenseman Chris Frank, and also Zack Fitzgerald behind the bench as assistant coach.

Fife Flyers: American forward Matt Reber and Kirkcaldy native and defenseman Kyle Horne.

Edinburgh Capitals: Slovakian forward Rene Jarolin and Canadian forward Jade Portwood

Dundee Stars: Canadians, forward Chris Blight and defenseman Brad Plumton

Cardiff Devils: Canadian defenseman Trevor Hendrikx, English defenseman Josh Batch, Canadian forward Brent Walton, Canadian forward Jesse Mychan, and Canadian forward Doug Clarkson

Coventry Blaze: Canadian defenseman Craig Cescon, Canadian defenseman Rory Rawlyk, and American forward Ben Arnt

Sheffield Steelers: American forward Mike Forney and Canadian forward Pascal Morency

Nottingham Panthers: Canadian defensemen Charles Landry and Mike Berube

Hull Stingrays: Canadian forward Jordan Mayer

Scores and Updates from the Australian Ice Hockey League:

*Games between the Adelaide Adrenaline, Sydney Bears, and CBR Canberra Brave have all been postponed and delayed until further notice after the Adrenaline team bus crashed early Saturday morning. One of the two buses veered off the road and rolled at about 4 PM (in Australia) as the team was headed to Canberra to take on the Brave in a 5:30 PM match up. Reportedly only about 4 players were taken to the hospital with injuries varying from minor leg to rib injuries. The Adrenaline were provided another bus by their soon to be rivals and headed on their way to Canberra for the game to only be cancelled shortly there after. A few Brave fans offered help and transportation to the injured Adrenaline team which just goes to show no matter what logo you represent, hockey is family. (Photos credit to AIHL page)

(Nick Clark/Adelaide Adrenaline)

Liam Webster/Melbourne Ice and Mathieu Dugas/Perth Thunder

AIHL Standings to date:

(Team: GP-W-L-OW-OL-TP)

Melbourne Mustangs: 20-12-6-0-2-38

Sydney Ice Dogs: 20-10-8-1-1-33

Melbourne Ice: 19-8-6-3-2-32

CBR Canberra Brave: 18-8-6-2-2-30

Adelaide Adrenaline: 20-6-8-5-1-29

Perth Thunder: 17-7-7-1-2-25

Newcastle North Stars: 19-7-10-0-2-23

Sydney Bears: 21-6-13-1-1-21

* The first Australian NHL draft pick (2014 Draft, 3rd round, 89th Overall) Nathan Walker is reportedly doing incredibly well at the Capitals ongoing Development Camp in hopes of becoming the first Australian NHL player. He played last season with the Capitals' affiliate AHL team, the Hershey Bears. Just like the bracelet he wears every day, hopefully he can keep proving people wrong and show the world what the Australia hockey scene really has to offer. Hopefully there will be more updates on him as he progresses with the Caps throughout the rest of the month. 

Every Week in the ECHL:

* Fort Wayne signs as affiliate to the Colorado Avalanche and Lake Erie Monsters.

* Former Cincinnati Cyclones head coach hired on as Head Coach of the AHL's Norfolk Admirals.

* Former owner of the Peoria Rivermen Bruce Saurs has unfortunately passed away at the age of 88.

* The Stockton Thunder has renewed their affiliation with the New York Islanders.

*  Former Bakersfield Condors coach Troy Mann has been signed on as the Hershey Bears' new Head Coach.

* Jamie Russell has been hired on as the new coach of the Elmira Jackals.

* The Ontario Reign have been awarded the  ECHL Team Award of Excellence for the 2013-2014 season as well as the ECHL Ticket Department of the Year.

* The South Carolina Stingrays have been re-affiliated with the Washington Capitals.

* The Fort Wayne Komets have been awarded the Website Award of Excellence for the 2013-2014 season.

News and Updates from the Swedish SHL:

* The SHL will expand from 12 teams to 14 teams in the 2015-2016 season. 

* In the 2014-2015, a HockeyAllsvenskan champion will be named after a best of five playoff series is held between the two highest ranked teams after the end of the regular season. The champion will have admission into the SHL for the 2015-2016 season whereas the loser will be moved into the new DirektKval (Direct Qualification). This is a single playoff series between the teams that are ranked #3 through #8 after the regular season ends. The top 3 teams at the end of the series will have a chance to compete for a spot directly into the SHL through the DirektKval whereas the lower 3 teams will stay in the HockeyAllsvenskan.. 

  Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! I hope you all like the new setup and if you would like, let me know what you think of the new ways of this site! Every blog will be filled with updated hockey news, player reviews, and much more! Until next time remember, don't get your breezers in a bunch because hockey is always around the corner. Remember, it's always a great day for hockey and it's a lifestyle not just a sport!