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After 17 Years, Oklahoma City Blazers Fold Up Shop in the CHL
by Brandon Bibb
on Jul 3, 2009 11:00 PM CDT
in News
1 comment
A little bittersweet hockey news came out of OKC this week as the Oklahoma City Blazers, who were part of the second rebirth of the Central Hockey League back in the 1992-93 season, announced on July 1 they were suspending operations for the upcoming season after failing to agree with the city on a new lease.
DeBray Ayala blamed the decision on the current economic downturn.
Due to the current economic downturn, the OKC Blazers are regrettably closing their doors effective July 1. Despite attempts to re-organize and streamline the operation, the substantial losses from running the team have led to this business decision.
"We have the most loyal fans of any team, anywhere, and we appreciate the unwavering support they have given the team for many years," said Bob Funk Sr. "The Blazers organization has maintained its commitment to the fans for nine years. We've tried everything to make this model work and explored every available option. If there had been any other choice, we would not have made this decision."
The OKC Blazers thank everyone for their support during their 17 seasons of play in the Central Hockey League.
Sincerely,
DeBray Ayala
General Manager
OKC Blazers
For Oklahoma City hockey fans, however, that sad news was tempered by the city's intentions to bring an AHL team to the area in time for the 2010-11 season. According to Robert Przybolo of NewsOK.com, the city council is scheduled to vote to approve a "letter of intent" with Express Sports.
In February, representatives of the Edmonton Oilers toured the city. Currently, the Oilers own two AHL franchises. One is in Springfield, Massachusetts and the other is the currently dormant Edmonton Road Runners franchise. If all goes according to plan, the Road Runners' franchise would be moved to Oklahoma City and would serve as Edmonton's AHL affiliate.
In addition, it would place four AHL teams in the area with the Houston Aeros, San Antonio Rampage, and Texas Stars opening play near Austin this fall in Cedar Park.
That all having been said, I'm going to personally miss the Blazers. The very first professional hockey game I ever attended was in February of 2004 when my brother and I took in an Oklahoma City-Dallas Freeze contest at what's now the Cox Convention Center. I'd always loved watching the sport on television on our satellite system. But I never understood what people meant in that you'll never be able to appreciate the game until you see it live.
Even at the minor league level, I understood. And the people of Oklahoma City understood as the Blazers led all of minor league hockey in attendance five times during their recent history (1993-94, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2006-07). In fact, the city was considered a candidate for expansion in the NHL back in 1997 before the league awarded Nashville and Columbus expansion franchises.
There was also a dalliance with the IHL in the 2000 before the city decided they'd be better off staying with the CHL and the Blazers. A year later, the IHL folded due to over expansion.
This time around, their decision to swing for the fences is the smart decision.
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Dallas Stars Friday Favorites
by Brandon Worley
on Jul 3, 2009 6:00 PM CDT
in General
1 comment
I've tinkered with several Friday night features, usually reserving this space to rant about something non-hockey related. I think I'm going to turn this spot in the offseason into a time where we look back at the most memorable moments in Dallas Stars history.
Tonight we start fairly recent, with a pair of Mike Ribeiro shootout goals from last season.
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2009 NHL Free Agency: Dallas Stars still playing the waiting game
by Brandon Worley
on Jul 3, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
in Free Agency
3 comments
Like we wrote about yesterday, the Dallas Stars have been expectantly quiet thus far in free agency and are going to stay that way. Yet despite a this "hold" on any further action, there are still some points of interest to pay attention to over the holiday weekend that should have some closure come Monday.
Jonas Gustavsson and the backup goaltender situation.
The Toronto Sun reported yesterday that Brian Burke returned from Europe with the news that Gustavsson was going to wait another day or so to make his final decision. Stars fans are getting a bit anxious at this point and some have questioned whether this is a bad sign about his character and selfishness (I might have had those thoughts as well). I think if we all sit back for a moment we can realize just how tough a decision is for him. Just think how long it takes some college recruits to decide. He's most likely never had to make a choice like this before, plus you have to factor in he's still reeling from the passing of his mother. That being said, a decision soon would be nice.
Follow the jump for the top goaltender free agents remaining, and a look at the other issues still remaining for the Stars.
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Stargazing: 2009 NHL Free Agency - Stars sign Skrastins
by Brad G
on Jul 3, 2009 5:00 AM CDT
in Free Agency
4 comments
Stargazing is a daily assortment of Dallas Stars news, as well as a look at what's happening around the Pacific division and the rest of the NHL.
Day 2 of Free Agency found the Stars surveying the changing NHL landscape, with things the same at home. Budgetary concerns influenced the Stars to act cautiously and sign veteran defenseman Karlis Skrastins of the Florida Panthers. Stars fans may remember Skrastins as being on Colorado teams that twice beat the Stars in the opening round of the playoffs. ('04 and '06)
Dallasstars.com on Skrastins:
Skrastins, 34, skated in 80 games for Florida last season, collecting four goals and 14 assists for 18 points with 30 penalty minutes. His assist and point totals in 2008-09 were both career highs. He led the Panthers with 171 blocked shots, ranking ninth overall in the league in that category.
- Our take on the signing here at Defending Big D
- Mike Heika says he'll help Robidas to keep the kids calm
- Skrastins career stars [Yahoo]
What does this mean for Sergei Zubov?
- Stltoday.com raises the possibility of The Blues going after him
- The Dallas Morning News re-affirms interest from St. Louis and says Zubie could move on:
There is buzz out there about Sergei Zubov (St. Louis with former Stars GM Doug Armstrong and New York, where Zubov once played and still summers are said to be candidates), and I firmly believe the Stars could easily lose him to another team. But Joe Nieuwendyk said they still are in contact with Zubov and still are interested in him.
Tell us in the comments: Do you think Zubov is out of here?
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Should Dallas Stars fans feel frustrated?
by Brandon Worley
on Jul 2, 2009 8:03 PM CDT
in Free Agency
9 comments
With a limited budget the Dallas Stars have had to stay relatively quiet thus far in the offseason.
We were prepared for nothing to happen. Stars fans were warned not to expect anything big to happen this summer. Yet you can't help but get the feeling that there is a frustration mounting among the Stars hopeful, that the team is just standing idly by while other teams around them in the conference and in the division improve by the day. The question is, should fans feel frustrated or are the Stars well enough as they are to not need any big improvements?
It's only natural to feel a sense of worry and anxiousness as the Stars remain relatively content with the current roster. After all, this team suffered from a very disappointing season last year and has lost some key players to free agency. Darryl Sydor is likely gone and it's uncertain whether Sergei Zubov will return. Also gone are Joel Lundqvist, Brendan Morrison, Steve Begin and Mark Parrish (although Begin is the only one to sign elsewhere at this point). Losing Zubov would painful for Stars fans to stomach and I can't imagine seeing him play in any other jersey next season. But it's a distinct possibility.
So far the only addition the Stars have made was to sign veteran defenseman Karlis Skrastins to a two-year contract. He's a solid pickup, but nowhere near the offensively talented big blue liner Stars fans were hoping to see. The organization has been forced to work with a severely limited budget compared to past seasons. This means the only exciting news we'll most likely hear in the next few weeks is whether or not Jonas Gustavsson has chosen to sign with Dallas.
Yet things might not be as bad they seem.
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Dallas Stars sign D Karlis Skrastins
by Brandon Worley
on Jul 2, 2009 1:29 PM CDT
in Free Agency
13 comments
The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Karlis Skrastins to a 2 year, $2.75 million contract. They made the formal announcement Thursday afternoon.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Karlis Skrastins on a two-year contract,” said Nieuwendyk. “He is coming off a solid season with the Florida Panthers, and he is a proven NHL veteran that brings durability, experience, leadership, toughness and stability to our group of defensemen.”
- Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk
Skrastins is a solid defenseman, with good size and good skating ability. He's been a journeyman of sorts, spending time in his career with Nashville, Colorado and Florida. This past season was possibly his most complete, with the 2003-04 season in Colorado being his best statistically (82 GP, 5G, 8A, +18). Stars fans should be familiar with Skrastins, since he was part of the Avalanche teams that were consistently beating Dallas in the playoffs a few years ago.
It's a good price for a defenseman who will provide a much needed veteran presence on the team, which Mike Heika equips to a Mattias Norstrom type player. Don't expect anything flashy or amazing from him. What you will get from Skrastins is a defenseman that makes few mistakes, eats up a lot of minutes and is a great candidate to help the young defenseman learn and grow as they become more experienced.
Unfortunately this may mean the Stars do not re-sign Sergei Zubov, although it's still possible at this point.
[UPDATE by Brandon Worley] Mike Heika mentions in the comments section at the DMN Stars blog that the signing of Skrastins should not affect the re-signing of Zubov, although it most likely means that Sydor is officially gone. Again. He also says that the Stars will most likely play Vishnevskiy in the AHL for the first few months of the season, get him used to playing the role of the #1 defenseman before making the jump to the NHL.
Follow the jump for Karlis Skrastins' information and stats, and the Dallas Stars press release.
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Defenseman Karlis Skrastins signed by the Stars
TSN.ca free agent tracker is reporting he's agreed to a two year deal worth 2.75 million.
It's important to note that no other media sites are reporting this signing as of yet. TSN.ca does not have a write up on the deal, nor do the Dallas Stars.
More details to follow as soon as we get them...
1 day ago
Art_M
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2009 Dallas Stars line combinations
by Brandon Worley
on Jul 2, 2009 11:37 AM CDT
in News
11 comments
What do you think the line combos should be if the roster stays the same?
A few days ago I posted a rudimentary depth chart based on the current Dallas Stars roster, as well as a look at the cap and budget situation. It didn't include Jere Lehtinen on the roster (he hadn't re-signed just yet) and that threw a significant bump in the equation. Without Lehtinen, the Stars had just one true right wing on the roster (Krys Barch), and I attempted to guess who might play where if they entered the season in the same situation.
Only one problem: I had Loui Eriksson and Steve Ott completely switched up.
Astute reader and commenter Hull Fan pointed out my error, and with some assistance via email, after the jump is a more logical approach to the Stars' line combinations. Including Jere Lehtinen.
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