Letters to the Editor

These are some of the top hockey stories that appeared in MLN Sports Zone (SZ) during the 2004-2005 season. If you don't see one that you remember, use the GOOGLE search box on the masthead to find it!

The New Lords of Hockey

While the race for Lord Stanley's Cup is off for this year, the chase for the Calder Cup in the AHL is hotter than ever [Article]

What’s next for Worcester?

Speculation runs rampant, while the level of interest for keeping hockey here remains high. [Article]

Wow! What a Finish!

With no playoff hopes for either team, the Corpus Christi Rayz and the Austin Ice Bats have one final clash to close out the 2004-05 season. [Article]

	Brother Bears Andy Hilbert and Patrice Bergeron may be brother Bruins, but the fur was flying at the AHL All Stars [Article]
	Summertime Dreamin' The No. 1 Player in the AHL, Kari Lehtonen shows his stuff at the 2005 All-Star Classic [Article]
	For Everyone Else, There's [a] VISA Another wrinkle of the post-9/11 world is the restriction of work visas. The shortage has affected minor league players from Canada to the Caribbean to Korea. [Article]
	Free Stanley! A trio of well-schooled hockey fans has discovered that the NHL doesn't really own the Stanley Cup. If the cup isn't challenged by the NHL, then it's fair game for any league that plays in Canada. Will the AHL be playing for Lord Stanley's Hockey Holy Grail in 2005? [Article]
	Man with the Golden Mullet Former NHL Coach and ESPN® hockey analyst Barry Melrose has been looking for something to do. How does the man with the golden mullet stay out of his wife's hair? Save the hometown hockey team, of course! [Article]
	The ONLY Game In Town The AHL All-Star Classic, AAA's preview of coming stars, shines brighter than ever as NHL fans tune in to get their hockey jones. [Article]   Mad Skillz PlanetUSA shows the goods and takes the title at the 2005 AHL All-Star Skills Competition. [Article]
	The Fab50™ Hockey 2005 Who are the best of the best in minor league hockey? How does the NHL strike affect players who were due to move up last season? This year's crop is probably the best in more than a decade. Find out why. [Article]

The Right Decision?
While the lockout canceled his chance for a breakout NHL season, Jeff Jillson picked the minor leagues as the place to get some valuable ice time in 2004-05. [Article]

The 11th Commandment of Hockey
NHL refugee Donald Brashear gets kicked out of the fledgling LNAH. Mon dieu! [Opinion]

Roar No More?
One of the greatest teams in minor league hockey in 2003, the 2004 edition of the AHL Sound Tigers struggles to find themselves. [Article]

What I Want For Christmas
Some kids run a Kleenex® box cover business for Junior Achievement. 19 year year old A.J. Galante graduates high school running his own professional hockey team. Way. [Article]

Taking Out The Trashers
It would seem that it is open season on officials in the UHL, as long as the check for your franchise fee clears. [Opinion]

Griffins Gaining Ground (Again)
Grand Rapids takes familiar place among AHL's best. [Article]

Double Trouble
Meet the two young goalies who intend to lead the Houston Aeros' charge back to AHL supremacy. [Article]

Purple Perfection
Undefeated in seven games, the Manchester Monarchs open up the 2004 AHL season with the franchise's best start ever. [Article]

Ice Time
The Central Hockey League is geared up and ready for another great season of exciting play. [2004-05 Season Preview]

Built For Success
A dedication to off-season workouts could be the key for many AHL players striving to make that next step. [Article]

Game On!
While the NHL has its doors locked, the American Hockey League is primed for perhaps its best season ever. [2004-05 Season Preview]

Oh Brother!
The Austin Ice Bats sign enforcer Dallas Anderson, the sibling of the franchise's all-time penalty leader. [Article]

Presence Felt
Seventeen all-stars and five Calder Cup champions are among the 105 AHL alumni to participate in the World Cup of Hockey. [Article]

Back To School
Former Lubbock Cotton Kings defenseman Alex Todd to begin coaching career at Utica College. [Article]

Snider Secures Brahmas Post
A new Assistant General Manager is named in Fort Worth. [Article]

Bye-Bye Beacons
2004 UHL Rookie of the Year Benoit Genesse joins CHL's Austin Ice Bats. [Article]

McBains Remain
Defensive leaders return as the Las Vegas Wranglers re-sign the McBain brothers. [Article]

Roll With the Punches
AHL announces several rule changes for 2004-05 and welcomes Des Moines as the league's 29th team in 2005-06. [Article]

Gordon's Gators
The Louisiana IceGators name Todd Gordon the fourth head coach in team history. [Article]

Phantoms at Fourteen
Following a pair of season-opening losses, Philadelphia has responded with a franchise-record 14-game winning streak. [Article]