The National Strat-O-Matic Hockey League Newsletter League Established May 1, 1997 Volume #11, Issue #4 - October 17, 2007 ********************************************************************* Current League Officers: Commissioner: Doug Norris Vice-Commissioner: Brian Leahy (7/15/07 to present) Email the whole league: mailto:nshl at yahoogroups dot com NSHL Chat List: mailto:nshlchat at yahoogroups dot com Web Page Administrator: Guy Caron League Web Site: http://nshl.org Files Adminstrator: Brian Leahy / Tom Vinacci League Files Site: http://www.highrantdistrict.com/SOM/NSHL Team Websites: Capital City Cougars: http://members.tripod.com/~CapCity/ Seattle Rainiers: http://math.colorado.edu/~norrisdt/rainiers/rainiers.html ********************************************************************* LET THE GAMES BEGIN! The National Strat-o-Matic Hockey League opens its eleventh season this evening, with all twenty-four teams participating. If you have any questions about how to handle things, the easiest thing to do is ASK. (Actually, the easiest thing to do is just to do whatever it is you want to do anyhow, but I'd prefer that you ASK instead.) I'm online probably 14 hours per day. Also, the New Owner/Associate FAQ is a good reference; it is mentioned in the next section of the newsletter, so please read it. The updated league files will be out shortly; if you need the new files in order to send your computer manager, please be patient. Strategy files are due by the end of the first Thursday of each biweek, or thirty-six hours after the newsletter release (whichever is later). Incentive Points will be applied if necessary. Don't forget to tell me your 2007-08 lock code if you're planning on using one. This is also an IPable offense, and since I won't find out about your non-compliance until it's an emergency (the only reason I need your lock code), I probably won't be in the best of moods. Not a good time to be in a position to receive IP, as you might imagine. Forwards rated "Point **" are allowed to play the point on either the first power-play unit or the second power-play unit (but not both). Forwards rated "Point *" are allowed to play the point on the second power-play unit only. Also, forwards may not play the point on one power-play unit and forward on the other. All Week 1/2 games need to be reported by the end of Monday, October 29. Thank you for your time, and enjoy the season! ********************************************************************* MUST READ! If you intend to use a lock code during the 2006-07 season, please file it with the commissioner. I do spot-check computer managers to make sure that things are being done within the rules, but this is mainly in case you need assistance with something. Thank you for helping me to help you! Also, READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT: http://math.colorado.edu/~norrisdt/newownerfaq.html Thank you to all for help with the new additions; if you feel as though something could be explained further, or additionally, please let me know. I want this document to be fantastic! ********************************************************************* COUGARS PART WAYS WITH ORIGINAL FAN FAVORITE Brian Leahy, Capital City owner (AP) LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.....On Monday, the Cougars placed forwards Matthew Barnaby and Jeff Hoggan and defenseman Staffan Kronwall on waivers, granting them their unconditional release. These moves were made in order to get down to the required maximum roster size of 36 players prior to the start of the 2007-08 NSHL season, which begins later this week. Winger Jeff Hoggan, who was acquired in September 2006 in a trade with Minneapolis for Erik Rasmussen, was not seeing as much ice time as he would have liked and requested the release. Last season, Hoggan registered just one assist in 14 games. He didn't see much action this pre-season, either, and was figured to be on the verge of being sent to the minors. With this move, he is free to try and sign on with another club. Defenseman Staffan Kronwall was also acquired from Minneapolis, but at the mid-way point during last season as part of a larger deal. Kronwall also saw limited ice time, having played in just 5 games last season with no points recorded. After suffering an ankle injury, he spent the rest of last year in the minors. In training camp this year, he was listed far down in the team's depth chart for defenseman. The most notable cut was that of longtime Cougar winger Matthew Barnaby. Barnaby was an original draft pick (12th round, 176th overall) for the Cougars back in their very first season in 1996 and part of the inaugural Cup winning team. While never the offensive threat, he was a fan favorite in Lincoln and loved to antagonize the crowds when the team was on the road. Barnaby has had several tours of duty with Capital City. After the Cougars re-joined the NSHL in 1999, the team re-acquired him from Brooklyn in November 2000. He was then waived in the latter part of the 2001-02 season, but then joined the club once again as a 6th round pick in the 2002 draft. This time, however, it is uncertain if Barnaby will return to the ice again as his playing days might be over. He played in 43 games for Capital City last year and garnered 5 assists, but sustained two concussions over just a few months' time. Several months later, Barnaby is still feeling the post-concussion effects. He did try and participate in training camp and a couple of exhibition games this year, but in very short stints. While Barnaby has not officially announced his retirement as of yet, it may only be a matter of time before that sad day comes. DID YOU KNOW? Despite the departure of Matthew Barnaby, there are 2 other players currently on the Cougars roster entering the 2007-08 NSHL season that were original draft picks of the team back in 1996? They are: Brad May (13th round, 185th overall) and Philippe Boucher (24th round, 356th overall). Last year's win total of 54 eclipsed the previous franchise record for wins in a season of 52, set back in the 1996-97 season. The initial Capital City Cougars roster for the 2007-08 NSHL season is comprised of 20 forwards, 13 defensemen and 3 goaltenders. NEWS & NOTES Capital City finished the pre-season with a 2-6 record, with one game ending in overtime and another in a shootout. The Cougars open up their 2007-08 campaign on the road against Topeka. Their home opener comes two nights later against Pittsburgh. The remainder of the initial bi-week sees the team play against Hampton Roads, Minneapolis as well as home-and-home series against both Houston and Stone Harbor. ********************************************************************* RAINIERS OPEN WITH TOUGH ROAD IN DEFENSE OF TITLE: Doug Norris, Seattle Rainiers owner The last time the Rainiers saw the North Calgary Hawks, it was in Game Seven of last spring's Western Conference Finals, an overtime battle that saw Seattle advance on the strength of Nick Boynton's slapshot from the top of the faceoff circle, beating Miikka Kiprusoff with a 1-16 split. Seattle finished the spring by taking home their second Farley Cup championship banner. And, as that banner is raised tonight at Key Arena, their old friends from the north will be there as well. "I think it's our biggest rival, definitely," remarked defenseman Ed Jovanovski at practice yesterday afternoon. "Meeting in the playoffs each of the past three seasons is the kind of thing that builds these things up, and each series has been fantastic. Those guys are not fun to play against." When asked if he, in his role as commissioner, set up the schedule intentionally to have the Hawks in town, owner Doug Norris wasn't sure what to say. "Are you joking? If I wanted to rig the schedule I would have brought some terrible team in here opening night. It's not like we need the extra gate." The Rainiers made very few offseason manoeuvres, so complacency may become an issue. But for players - such as Wojtek Wolski - who are expected to take a larger role this year, the banner raising is a big deal. "You come in here, and you don't want to let the old guys down." Sensing that Wolski was looking at him, defenseman Chris Chelios smirked and skated away. RAINIERS NOTES: * Rumours of Andy McDonald's departure may have been greatly exaggerated. Despite rumours that Seattle management wants to move the young star in order to give their youngsters a role on the team, number nineteen was still with the squad to start the 2007-08 campaign. "I can't control the rumours, and you've just got to play your best," said McDonald. "I've been in this situation before, and I always look at it as that teams want me, not that teams are trying to get rid of me. But I'd like to stay here, sure." Bob McKenzie of TSN is reporting that Seattle will deal McDonald for an upgrade on the blueline or in goal, and that the club is also considering high draft choice deals. * Among the most relieved to see the final roster cuts this week? Forwards Petr Nedved and Kirk Maltby. Seattle decided to retain the pair despite published reports that both were as good as gone. "I had already agreed to a contract in Sweden - that's how sure I was that I was gone," according to Maltby. "I'm happy that I still get to contribute here." ********************************************************************* NSHL 2007-08 SCHEDULE AND INJURIES (WEEK 1/2): BROOKLYN FOURTEENTH: 10/17/2007 BRK at BUF 10/18/2007 BRK at LYN 10/20/2007 BRK at LIB 10/21/2007 VAW at BRK 10/23/2007 LIB at BRK 10/24/2007 ESA at BRK 10/26/2007 CGC at BRK 10/29/2007 BRK at VAW BUFFALO BULLDOGS: 10/17/2007 BRK at BUF 10/18/2007 BUF at LIB 10/19/2007 ESA at BUF 10/21/2007 BUF at CGC 10/25/2007 BUF at NEV 10/27/2007 BUF at LYN 10/28/2007 CGC at BUF 10/29/2007 NEV at BUF CAPITAL CITY COUGARS: 10/17/2007 CCC at TPK 10/18/2007 CCC at HOU 10/19/2007 PIT at CCC 10/20/2007 HOU at CCC 10/22/2007 CCC at HRH 10/23/2007 MIN at CCC 10/25/2007 SHS at CCC 10/29/2007 CCC at SHS CORNER CREEK GREEN CALVES: 10/17/2007 CGC at ESA 10/18/2007 CGC at SEA 10/21/2007 BUF at CGC 10/22/2007 LIB at CGC 10/23/2007 LYN at CGC 10/24/2007 SEA at CGC 10/26/2007 CGC at BRK 10/28/2007 CGC at BUF EMPIRE STATE AMERICANS: 10/17/2007 CGC at ESA 10/18/2007 ESA at FGF 10/19/2007 ESA at BUF 10/22/2007 ESA at LYN 10/24/2007 ESA at BRK 10/25/2007 LYN at ESA 10/28/2007 LIB at ESA 10/29/2007 FGF at ESA FLORIDA HELLCATS: 10/17/2007 FLO at SHS 10/18/2007 MAN at FLO 10/19/2007 MIN at FLO 10/20/2007 MON at FLO 10/23/2007 STM at FLO 10/25/2007 FLO at MIN 10/27/2007 FLO at QCP 10/29/2007 FLO at STM FORT GARRY FIDDLER CRABS: 10/17/2007 FGF at VAW 10/18/2007 ESA at FGF 10/21/2007 NCH at FGF 10/23/2007 SEA at FGF 10/24/2007 SES at FGF 10/26/2007 FGF at SES 10/27/2007 FGF at NEV 10/29/2007 FGF at ESA HAMPTON ROADS HOUNDS: 10/17/2007 HRH at HOU 10/18/2007 STM at HRH 10/20/2007 HRH at STM 10/22/2007 CCC at HRH 10/25/2007 HRH at PIT 10/27/2007 HRH at MIN 10/28/2007 TPK at HRH 10/29/2007 MIN at HRH HOUSTON AEROS: 10/17/2007 HRH at HOU 10/18/2007 CCC at HOU 10/20/2007 HOU at CCC 10/22/2007 HOU at MIN 10/24/2007 HOU at PIT 10/25/2007 TPK at HOU 10/26/2007 MAN at HOU 10/29/2007 HOU at MAN LONG ISLAND BERSERKERS: 10/17/2007 LYN at LIB 10/18/2007 BUF at LIB 10/20/2007 BRK at LIB 10/22/2007 LIB at CGC 10/23/2007 LIB at BRK 10/25/2007 LIB at NCH 10/28/2007 LIB at ESA 10/29/2007 NCH at LIB LYNDONVILLE BLADES: 10/17/2007 LYN at LIB 10/18/2007 BRK at LYN 10/20/2007 SES at LYN 10/22/2007 ESA at LYN 10/23/2007 LYN at CGC 10/25/2007 LYN at ESA 10/27/2007 BUF at LYN 10/28/2007 LYN at SES MANAYUNK BULLIES: 10/17/2007 MAN at MON 10/18/2007 MAN at FLO 10/20/2007 QCP at MAN 10/22/2007 MAN at SHS 10/23/2007 SHS at MAN 10/24/2007 STM at MAN 10/26/2007 MAN at HOU 10/29/2007 HOU at MAN MINNEAPOLIS MASSASAUGA: 10/17/2007 PIT at MIN 10/19/2007 MIN at FLO 10/22/2007 HOU at MIN 10/23/2007 MIN at CCC 10/25/2007 FLO at MIN 10/26/2007 MIN at TPK 10/27/2007 HRH at MIN 10/29/2007 MIN at HRH MONTREAL WANDERERS: 10/17/2007 MAN at MON 10/18/2007 MON at SHS 10/20/2007 MON at FLO 10/22/2007 MON at QCP 10/25/2007 QCP at MON 10/26/2007 STM at MON 10/27/2007 PIT at MON 10/28/2007 MON at PIT NEVADA THUNDER: 10/17/2007 NEV at SES 10/18/2007 NEV at NCH 10/19/2007 NEV at SEA 10/22/2007 SEA at NEV 10/23/2007 VAW at NEV 10/25/2007 BUF at NEV 10/27/2007 FGF at NEV 10/29/2007 NEV at BUF NORTH CALGARY HAWKS: 10/17/2007 NCH at SEA 10/18/2007 NEV at NCH 10/21/2007 NCH at FGF 10/22/2007 SES at NCH 10/24/2007 VAW at NCH 10/25/2007 LIB at NCH 10/27/2007 NCH at VAW 10/29/2007 NCH at LIB PITTSBURGH SOUND CHASERS: 10/17/2007 PIT at MIN 10/19/2007 PIT at CCC 10/20/2007 TPK at PIT 10/22/2007 PIT at TPK 10/24/2007 HOU at PIT 10/25/2007 HRH at PIT 10/27/2007 PIT at MON 10/28/2007 MON at PIT QUEBEC CITY PATRIOTES: 10/17/2007 QCP at STM 10/18/2007 QCP at TPK 10/20/2007 QCP at MAN 10/21/2007 SHS at QCP 10/22/2007 MON at QCP 10/23/2007 TPK at QCP 10/25/2007 QCP at MON 10/27/2007 FLO at QCP ST. MICHAEL'S PRIVATEERS: 10/17/2007 QCP at STM 10/18/2007 STM at HRH 10/19/2007 SHS at STM 10/20/2007 HRH at STM 10/23/2007 STM at FLO 10/24/2007 STM at MAN 10/26/2007 STM at MON 10/29/2007 FLO at STM SEATTLE RAINIERS: 10/17/2007 NCH at SEA 10/18/2007 CGC at SEA 10/19/2007 NEV at SEA 10/20/2007 SEA at VAW 10/22/2007 SEA at NEV 10/23/2007 SEA at FGF 10/24/2007 SEA at CGC 10/29/2007 SES at SEA SEATTLE SASQUATCH: 10/17/2007 NEV at SES 10/19/2007 VAW at SES 10/20/2007 SES at LYN 10/22/2007 SES at NCH 10/24/2007 SES at FGF 10/26/2007 FGF at SES 10/28/2007 LYN at SES 10/29/2007 SES at SEA STONE HARBOR SOUND: 10/17/2007 FLO at SHS 10/18/2007 MON at SHS 10/19/2007 SHS at STM 10/21/2007 SHS at QCP 10/22/2007 MAN at SHS 10/23/2007 SHS at MAN 10/25/2007 SHS at CCC 10/29/2007 CCC at SHS TOPEKA TARANTULAS: 10/17/2007 CCC at TPK 10/18/2007 QCP at TPK 10/20/2007 TPK at PIT 10/22/2007 PIT at TPK 10/23/2007 TPK at QCP 10/25/2007 TPK at HOU 10/26/2007 MIN at TPK 10/28/2007 TPK at HRH VANCOUVER WHITECAPS: 10/17/2007 FGF at VAW 10/19/2007 VAW at SES 10/20/2007 SEA at VAW 10/21/2007 VAW at BRK 10/23/2007 VAW at NEV 10/24/2007 VAW at NCH 10/27/2007 NCH at VAW 10/29/2007 BRK at VAW ********************************************************************* NSHL CALENDAR October 17 - NSHL Week 1/2 - good luck to everyone! October 29 - all results must be sent in (see notes above) ********************************************************************* INCENTIVE POINTS: Incentive points are not discretionary, and are assigned strictly per formula without respect to extenuating circumstances. Incentive points may be appealed through the Review Board. CUMULATIVE INCENTIVE POINTS: BRK -1 IP CCC exempt FLO -1 IP HOU -1 IP NYL -1 IP SHS -1 IP ********************************************************************* ASSOCIATE LIST: SINCE GP Dean Engemoen June 16, 2007 2 Steve Kramer December 13, 2004 0 Greg Ralls December 14, 2004 0 Andrew Smith November 19, 2005 0 J.J. Schrems May 1, 2006 0 Francois Lessard December 10, 2006 0 Chris Beddick June 11, 2007 0 Scott Bruner June 18, 2007 0 Dale Ripley September 11, 2007 0 If you're still an active associate, and aren't on this list, please get in contact with me. Thanks! Doug ********************************************************************* TRANSACTIONS: BRK - SIGN John LeClair. BUF - TRADE David LeNeveu to NCH for NCH#4. CCC - RELEASE Matthew Barnaby, Jeff Hoggan, Staffan Kronwall. ESA - RELEASE Alyn McCauley, Josh Green, Wade Belak. FLO - RELEASE Yann Danis, Mark Hartigan, Noah Clarke. FGF - Announce RETIREMENT of Jiri Fischer. - RELEASE Josef Melichar. HRH - RELEASE Martin St. Pierre. HOU - RELEASE Stanislav Chistov, Jordin Tootoo, Zenon Konopka. LIB - Announce RETIREMENT of Kenny Jonsson. - RELEASE Jussi Timonen, Jakub Klepis. LYN - RELEASE Dan Ellis, Adam Berkhoel. MAN - RELEASE Jonathan Hedstrom, Ivan Novoseltsev, Michael Garnett. MIN - RELEASE Andreas Karlsson, Nick Tarnasky, Janne Niinimaa. MON - RELEASE Jonathan Ferland, Petr Kanko, Rob Globke. NEV - RELEASE Travis Green, Yannick Tremblay, Jamie Rivers. NCH - TRADE NCH#4 to BUF for David LeNeveu. - Announce RETIREMENT of Eric Daze. - RELEASE Igor Ulanov, Martin Prusek, Colin Fraser. PIT - RELEASE Karl Stewart, Ryan Hollweg, Ric Jackman. SEA - RELEASE Timo Helbling, Petr Tenkrat, Mattias Weinhandl. SHS - RELEASE Curtis Glencross, Dan Jancevski, Matt Carkner. TPK - RELEASE Patrick Fischer, Brad Isbister, Steve Montador. VAW - RELEASE Jarkko Immonen, J-P Vigier, Richard Matvichuk. ********************************************************************* League Governing Boards Responsibilities of the following governing boards are outlined in the Constitution. Review Board Tom Vinacci, Buffalo Bulldogs Patrick Shea, Long Island Berserkers Mark McNeil, Lyndonville Blades Constitutional Council Head: Patrick Shea (patrickjshea at verizon dot net) Doug Norris, Commissioner Brian Leahy, Vice-Commissioner Andy Bartalone, St. Michael's owner (vacant) *********************************************************************