Ice Dogs Season 7 Press Room

The Derby Ice Dogs today confirmed that Club captain, Jamie Langenbrunner, had officially retired from the game. Langenbrunner, 38, had been club captain since the beginning and will be missed for his influence both on and off the ice.

"It was tough decision to come to, every year I have discussed it with the family, but this season just felt right." Said Langenbrunner.

Jamie played in 490 games for the Ice Dogs, scoring 145 goals and picking up 190 assists for the club. Also announcing their retirement from the game was Alternate Captain Pavel Kubina and forwards Milan Hejduk and Todd White.

"We have lost a lot of experience in one season, however, we still have guys have the experience to offer to the younger guys and we will be looking at others to step up!" Carnell added

Carnell added he would not be rushed into finding replacements, he would check out the options at the open market and see what is available via trading players. He also confirmed he would be speaking with first team coach Ruslan Salei about a new contact. He wouldn't confirm what would happen to Hornets coach Mike Babcock after both contacts expired at the end of the season.

GM Carnell is busy working out the best way forward for the upcoming season and is busy talking to current and potential players.

Whilst not being drawn on names of potential new guys, he confirmed that he would be speaking with all players on the roster to confirm who would be offered a new contact and who would be released.

Players without a contact so far are:

22yr old Centre Jeff Fairweather, 37 year old Veteran Marc Savard, wingers PM Bouchard (30yrs) Sean Avery (34yrs) 26yr old alternate captain Kyle Okposo, defencemen Keith Ballard (32yrs), Keith Yandle (28yrs), Ladislav Smid (28yrs) and goalie Matt Keetley (29yrs)

It is believed Fairweather will get a long term deal along with Okposo, whilst others, including Veteran Savard may get the chop after another disappointing season.  with their being no real wage cap concerns currently, there could be a few big money offers going out from the Derby offices this season, so watch this space.

Carnell is expected to call up a couple of players from Heanor this season, if Thomas Jurco and Steve Junker both put pen to paper, they will be the front runners for this, whilst a spot on the defence could see future star Jamie Ram step up and make a claim following a good season with the Hornets.

The Ice Dogs today said goodbye to their first round pick, but hello to wingers Jannik Hansen and old hand Ryan Malone.  Also in the deal saw next year’s second round pick move over to Colombia Steves.

Hansen, 28, registered 54 points last season and is expected to step up and be the top six player that the Ice Dogs have been looking for to replace captain Langenbrunner, who has retired.  Malone, 35, will take up a spot on the third line and provide a physical edge whilst chipping in with the occasional goal.

Ice Dogs GM, Carnell had this to say:

“We are pleased with what we have achieved today, we are confident that Hansen will provide some secondary offense to the team, we needed someone who could slot into the second line and with Hansen, we feel we have achieved this, without giving too much away, with Malone, he knows his role and we expect him to chip in with the occasional goal and do a job for us on the third line and helping out on the PK when needed”

Both players are excited to be heading to Derby, whilst Hensen has two years left on his current deal, Malone will head straight to head office to conclude paper work, in what is expected to be a two year deal with the Ice Dogs.

There may yet be more trades today, with GM Carnell refusing to rule anything out: “If the right deal comes our way, then we will listen to it, we are rebuilding, so are prepared to make sacrifices along the way”

Following this seasons draft, the Ice Dogs acquired four players following the trade earlier in the day.  Below is a quick look at what the draft looked like from a Ice Dogs point of view:

Round 2 – Michael Zyebenek
6’2” Czechoslovakian defenseman weighs in at 210lbs.  This tough offensive forward is expected to be signed up on a entry level contact and spend a couple of valuable years with the Hornets gaining experience and ice time, before stepping up to the Ice Dogs.  A strong skater that has a good future.

Round 3 – Brian Heinz
Small German defenseman, standing 5’10” and weighing in at 190lbs, Brain is another player who can look after himself and will look to chip in offensively when needed.  Another prospect likely to sign with the Hornets.

Round 4 – Simon Seleznev
Another European, this time, Ukraine winger, standing 6’3” tall and weighing an impressive 250lbs, is a skilled passer of the puck, and shows excellent puck handling skills which might see him pick up a short contact with the Hornets this summer dependant on a good camp.

Round 5 – Connor McLeod
6’ British winger is expected to remain in the minor league this year, to hone in on several aspects of his game.  He is predominantly a tough guy, but can pick up the odd goal every now and then.

Derby Ice Dogs have today confirmed they are finalising the last of their contact offers and should have news shortly once the 606HL officials have confirmed the paperwork is all in place. Whilst names and their terms have not been released, speculation is increasing and word has it, the Ice Dogs have signed Okposo to a long term deal and tied down prospects Fairweather, Junker and Jurco to new contracts.

News from the office also confirms that wingers Chris Kunitz, Edward Purcell, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Chris Higgins and defenceman Brad Stewart have all been released without being offered new contacts.

GM Carnell added “With recent pick ups and our focus turning to the future with our prospects, we don’t have any room on the roster for some of last year’s roster, whilst this list isn't exclusive, we don’t have any more definite names currently.”

These comments have been interpreted by local media that there may be more casualties after yet another less than impressive season, with no news yet of who will be Head Coach, of both the Ice Dogs and the Hornets, the franchise could be set for a whole new look.

Braydon Coburn picked up the Derek Boogard Trophy at the recent awards ceremony.  Coburn picked up 260PIM last season, a league high and finished ahead of Kyle Quincey of the Sharks and Paul Mara of the Scarabs.

Coburn said "I am pleased to pick up such a prestigious award, I will be looking at retaining this trophy this forthcoming season, along with helping the team move up the standings.”

GM Carnell today confirmed the return of Ruslan Salei for the Ice Dogs along with Mike Babcock for the Hornets.

Both have signed two year deals with the club and are eager to get back to working on the upcoming season.

Salei said “I am pleased to be back, Carnell spoke to me and set our targets for the season and I appreciate him giving me two years to achieve our goals. I will work alongside him closely for the next couple of weeks to ensure we are getting what we want from the players and ensure we hit the ground running when the season starts.”

Carnell added “It was a tough decision as to what was best for the franchise, in the end, we decided to give the guys one last chance to reach out ambitions. We have the foundations of a good club, and we hope that with the right input from the coaching staff we can achieve this.”

Derby Ice Dogs today confirmed who has returned to the club for another season.

Kyle Okposo, 25, has impressed GM Carnell since he arrived back with the club having originally being drafted by the Ice Dogs. He has today signed a 3 year deal to stay with the club worth £12,000,000

Jeff Fairweather, 22, played last season with the Ice Dogs and registered 28 points stands 6’4” and weighs in at 201lbs, has also signed a 3 year contract worth £6,000,000.

Carnell said “We are of course pleased to have agreed a deal with Kyle, he is a fantastic player and someone who we will look towards when we need that spark. He is liked around the dressing room and will give the guys a boost. We also expect Jeff to play a big role for the Ice Dogs this season, it will be his second in the big league and we hope he will continue to develop, we have invested a lot of time and we know he will deliver.”

Also returning to the club are veterans PM Bouchard on a one year deal, making up the fourth line will be Marc Savard, Ryan Malone and Sean Avery who have all signed one year deals.

Returning to patrol the d-line will be Keith Ballard and Keith Yandle, again both signing one year deals.

Prospects Thomas Jurco and Steve Junker have agreed new deals, Jurco has signed a three year deal whilst Junker has signed a two year deal. Jurco, 21, will be looking to make a claim on the Derby roster this season at training camp after an impressive season with the Hornets where he registered 54 points along side Junker, 22, who got 43 points.

The Hornets have picked up the signature of Ladislav Smid and have signed prospects Daniel Catenacci, Jacob Trouba and Frederik Gauthier to entry level contacts along with Brandon Dubinsky and Steve Self returning for another season with the club.

Carnell added “These two kids will be the future of the club, we have told them they will get their chance to show us if they are ready for the big time, but it won’t harm them if they spend another year with the Hornet honing in on their skills. When the time is right, they will get their shot.”

The Ice Dogs have kicked off the Free Agency period with the signing of 33 year old hard-hitting defenseman Freddy Meyer to a one year deal.  The small American, stands 5’10”, weighs in at 195lbs uses his strength, and finishes his hits whilst protecting the netminder.  He is a stay at home defenceman that will work along side the prospects to assist their development.

“Freddy is another piece to the puzzle, his experience will assist the younger guys who we hope will thrive off the experience and be challenging for a spot with the Ice Dogs in one or two years time.” Carnell said on the latest signing.

There are still roles we need to fill, so there will be a few more signing before the seasons starts.

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GM Carnell has confirmed the signing of another defenceman, this time in the shape of Jamie Crapper.  The 22 year old has signed a two year deal with the club and will play for the Hornets this season.  The 6’1” Canadian has impressive skating and stick-handling skills to complement the offensive minded skills.  

“He’s another young guy we have picked up that we hope to nurture and develop into a top player, he has the drive, and we will provide him with the ice time to show us we made the right choice in picking him” Carnell said

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Third signing of the day, and another prospect is signed to the Ice Dogs franchise, this time in the shape of American winger Bill Board has signed a two year deal with the club.  

Board, 22, stands 5’10” and  weighs in at 174lbs will be used on special teams to gain experience and also use his skating and stick handling to his advantage.

“Bill is another prospect who we hope will develop into a future star, with the right ice time, he will progress and become a future Ice Dog we hope” Carnell said on the latest signing.