Wade Redden still alive in the AHL

Wade Redden patrols the blue line for the AHL's Connecticut Whale

Photo by Chris Rutsch

Hartford, CT (NHN)-Wade Redden isn't bitter about playing in the American Hockey League. In fact, he understands all too well the dynamics of the new NHL.

He's just making way too much money for another NHL club to take a cap hit that large. He knows it, the rest of the League knows it and so does everyone else.

And therein lies the difficulty.

Redden's contract, which pays him $6.5 Million per season is what is keeping him in the AHL. "It's a double edged thing," he said. "It's the reason I'm down here. If I made less there would be room to be going somewhere."

Redden says it's great to have enough financial stability for the rest of his life but it has left him handcuffed. "I likely won't get another opportunity to play in the NHL," he said. "It's not ideal but I'm making the most of it and things have gone pretty good for the most part."

Winston Day Chief already a Leader--Education gave him future outside of Hockey

Blood Nation's Winston Day Chief toils for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns

Photo by Ryan Jeanes

Winnipeg, Manitoba (NHN)-Winston Day Chief is a quiet man in a loud game. He prefers to let his play do the talking. Day Chief, 24, hails from the Blood Nation in Southeastern Alberta and is in his 5th and final season of CIS hockey for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.

"I've brought him in for team meetings for the past three years and you'll be lucky if he says two words," said his coach Greg Gatto.

But one thing is clear. His coach thinks the world of him.

Wacey Rabbit back in AHL after spending last year in Austria

Wacey Rabbit has learned versatility as a pro

Photo by Darren Abate

San Antonio, TX (NHN)-Wacey Rabbit likes playing hockey in Texas. It's mid-winter in the Lone Star State and daytime temperatures are something similar to that of southeastern Alberta home in summertime. "Yesterday I left the rink and it was 26," said Rabbit, who is in his fifth AHL season. "The fan base here is good and we're getting between 8 and 9 thousand a game, so things are going well here."

But the season didn't start well for the San Antonio Rampage, who won only three times in their first twelve games. Rabbit even found himself sent down to the ECHL due to the sheer number of players sent to the Rampage by the NHL's Florida Panthers.

But players who are as versatile as he is don't stay in 'the coast' for long.

Jets to stay in Southeast Conference another year--NHLPA refuses to sign off on Conference re-alignment

Winnipeg Jets Governor Mark Chipman reacts to NHLPA's decision not to approve re-alignment

Photo by Ryan Jeanes

Winnipeg, Manitoba (NHN)-The Winnipeg Jets will be staying in the NHL's Southeastern Division for at least another year after the NHL Player's Association refused to sign off on the proposed Conference re-alignment in time for next season.

The NHL had approved a re-alignment from six division, two conference format to a four conference format in December.

The players union rejected the re-alignment based on travel that may have increased under the new changed conference format and unfairness of having NHL clubs in the 7 team conferences make the playoffs easier based on percentages.

The Union had stated they wished to work with the league but refused to approve the changes based on what they said was a league imposed deadline of January 6th.

Living life on the edge of the NHL-Kyle Chipchura finds a role in Phoeinx

Kyle Chipchura had to adjust his game to stay in NHL

Photo by Darcy Finley

Glendale, Arizona (NHN)-From most vantage points, Kyle Chipchura is living the dream, playing NHL hockey and collecting a paycheque to do something he loves doing. And while that is certainly the case, Chipchura is finding that life as a pro hockey player is anything but certain.

Chipchura signed a two-way one year NHL contract with the Phoenix Coyotes earlier this fall after spending the last two seasons with the Anaheim Ducks.

A two-way contract means you earn one amount if you play in the American Hockey League, where he spent eight games so far this season, and your NHL salary if you play up top.

And since he's on a one year deal, that makes living arrangements difficult to plan since he doesn't know where he'll be next season, or even next week for that matter.

As NHL players go, Chipchura lives life on the edge.

Danny Stone finds her Stride

Danny Stone focuses on possible berth in National Championships

Photo appears Courtesy of U of S Huskie Athletics

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (NHN)-Danny Stone is excited about this season of Can West Women's hockey. Stone, a fourth-year Sociology student at the University of Saskatchewan and key member of the women's hockey team is a goal scorer.

"I'm known for my speed," says Stone. "I can beat people wide and our system forces us to get a lot of pucks on net or I can cruise in for rebounds if my linemates shoot it."

Stone's team, the Huskies are a good team in a competitive conference and with two spots in the National Championships available to CanWest teams, they have their sights set on a berth. "There are no easy games," said Stone. "Every team in our conference has lost and picked up players and you never know who is going to take it."

Dwight King one step from NHL career

Dwight King is on the move

Photo by Steve Babineau

Manchester, MA (NHN)-Dwight King is close to his dream of playing in the NHL. Oh so very close. King was the last cut from LA Kings training camp this past fall before being sent back to the American Hockey League's Manchester Monarchs.

"When you're this close you get a taste of it and it feeds your hunger to get there," said King. "It can get frustrating at times but when your opportunity comes you have to make the most of it."

Cheechoo looking for another shot

Jonathan Cheechoo starting to heat up in Peoria

Photo by Nathan Kerley

Peoria, Illinois (NHN)-Jonathan Cheechoo is the polar opposite of the big time athlete. In fact, he's about as humble as can be, a virtue no doubt picked up from his family and tiny community of Moose Factory Cree Nation in Northern Ontario.

That's a good sign because now it's for real.

Oh sure, he's trying to get back to the NHL, a league he lit on fire in 2005/06, firing 56 goals for the San Jose Sharks and picking up the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's top goal scorer that year.

It's a title that still holds special meaning to him but not nearly as the title of Dad.

Cheechoo and his wife had their first child over the summer.

Brandon's Rene Hunter garnering NHL attention

Ebb and Flow First Nation's Rene Hunter has garnered NHL interest

Photo by Travis Golby

Winnipeg, Manitoba (NHN)-Rene Hunter isn't a boisterous guy. In fact, he's about as soft spoken as it gets, preferring instead to let his play do the talking.
Hunter, from Manitoba's Ebb and Flow First Nation, is a defenceman for the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings a team who if you follow hockey, shouldn't be in the post-season following last season's Memorial Cup run.
But nothing could be further from the truth.
Hunter plays on a young blueline, it's so young that he enjoys a little seniority.
That doesn't mean he has it made.

Nolan to Coach Latvian National Team

Ted Nolan

Supplied Photo

(NHN)-Ted Nolan is the new Head Coach of the Latvian National Hockey Team. Nolan spent last season with the American Hockey League's Rochester Americans as their Vice President of Hockey Operations. The 53 year-old Nolan signed a one year contract with an option.His acceptance of the position comes with a challenge. Latvia's world ranking dropped to 12th following their disappointing showing in May's World Championship. Nolan will visit Latvia later this month to begin preparing for what he hopes will be a successful showing in next spring's World Championship.