#111

Biscuits and Breezers

   Welcome back to another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! It has come to that time of the season where every one involved in the sport is counting down the days until hockey returns. 33 days, 32 days, 31 days. Currently it's 31 days until NHL hockey returns and I personally couldn't be more excited. As soon as the leaves start to fall it's only a short period of time before the puck drops. It's been a long hot summer and it's only a matter of time before fans pack themselves into the cold ice rinks ready to watch the best game on Earth. The EIHL has already begun in the UK, the AIHL in Australia just came to a finale, and in less then a month juniors/NHL start. It's returning everyone and soon it will be here. Hockey's back. It's chilling to think that the clock has fewer minutes to tick down than it has ticked off already. 

This Month in the NHL:

* Former NHL all-star player Carol Vadnais, who played with the Canadiens, Golden Seals, Bruins, Rangers, and Devils, has passed away at the age of 68

* Defenseman Sheldon Brookbank, who has played with the Chicago Blackhawks for 2 seasons, will attend the Flames' training camp after not being re-signed with the Blackhawks who are currently over their salary cap by $2.2 million

* Ryan White of the Philadelphia Flyers has had surgery on Wednesday to repair his left pectoralis muscle

* The Boston Bruins have hired Jay Pandolfo as their development coach and has announced a long-term affiliation with their AHL affiliate the Providence Bruins

* Free agent defenseman Cory Sarich from the Avalanche is recovering from injuries sustained after a cycling accident. He was injured back in late July when he tried to avoid a pickup truck while riding his bicycle but ended up sliding under the truck on top of his stomach. In the accident he sustained 5 cracked vertebrae, burns on his wrist and shoulder from the truck's muffler, a swollen leg, arm, large laceration on his head and severe road rash NHL.com reports

* After 16 NHL seasons, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere has announced his retirement

* Sharks forward Raffi Torres will miss part of the start of the 2014-2015 season due to an injured right knee and knee infection (ACL damage)

* Sharks captain Joe Thornton, assistant captain Patrick Marleau, and former assistant captain Dan Boyle have all been stripped of their letters; replacements have yet to be named

* The Kalamazoo Wings have reached an agreement with the Columbus Blue Jackets as their ECHL affiliate 

-- You can find current signings here --

New St. Louis Blues jerseys announced for the 2014-2015 season

Scores and Updates from the Australian Ice Hockey League:

* As the winter comes to an end in Australia, so does the 2013-2014 season for the AIHL. Eight teams were in it to win it as the race started for the Goodall Cup and it all came down to four. CBR Brave, Melbourne Mustangs, Melbourne Ice, and the Sydney Ice Dogs. The Grand Finale was consisted of both the Melbourne teams but in the outcome, the Melbourne Mustangs took it all with a final score of 6-1. The rivalry between these two Australian hockey teams has now grown more intense than ever. Biscuits and Breezers would like to give a huge congratulations to the Melbourne Mustangs for their 2014 Goodall Cup victory!

The EIHL's Latest News:

* Matty Davies has been named captain of the Hull Stingrays

* Jonathan Phillips will serve as captain of the Sheffield Steelers once more but will also be out for 3 weeks

* Joe Grimaldi has joined the Edinburgh Capitals

* Kurtis Dulle has left the Hull Stingrays due to personal reasons

* Martin Podlesak of the Nottingham Panthers has left for family reasons

* The Sheffield Steelers sign former Devil Devin DiDimete

-- Today (9/5/14) is officially the start of the 2014-2015 EIHL season!! --

Every Week in the ECHL:

* ECHL has announced the Preseason Schedule that will start on October 7th through October 13th consisting of 22 games

* The Bakersfield Condors will wear puffy-shirt jerseys on November 16th again Idaho in tribute to the 25th anniversary of  Seinfeld

* Wheeling will continue as the ECHL affliate of the Montreal Canadiens and the Hamilton Bulldogs

* The Wheeling Nailers extend their affiliation with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Wilkes-Barre Scranton

* Kalamazoo Wings announce affiliation with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Wolves, Springfield Falcons, and Utica Comets

* Dave Piecuch will return as Team President to Stockton

* Idaho Steelheads will remain the Dallas Stars' ECHL affiliate

* Matt MacDonald named Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach 

* Colorado Eagles will remain the ECHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames and Adirondack Flames

* Greenville Road Warriors will extend their affiliation with the New York Rangers and the Hartford Wolfpack

Seinfeld Inspired jersey (Credit to cbc.ca)

New Cincinnati Cyclones logo unveiled on the 29th of August (Credit to Google Images)

News and Updates from the Swedish SHL:

 * No new headlines

  Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! 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!