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Charlotte Checkers

NEWS ON SIGNINGS 

AHL Logo A few bits of news from the, “In-Case-You-Haven’t-Seen-It” file.

Corey Locke has signed a two way deal with the Ottawa Senators. Ex-Pack Captain Andrew Hutchinson has signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins and as we reported here first, Hugh Jessiman is about to sign a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks pending a physical.

Congratulations to one-time Wolf Pack and Charlotte Checker defenseman Dan Girardi, who avoided arbitration and signed a deal with the Rangers today. Next up is one Marc Staal.

From the “We’re-Glad–They-Did-It“ department, Howlings was happy to hear that the AHL extended the contract of League President Dave Andrews. Dave has been simply magnificent. Unlike his NHL counterpart, Andrews usually receives either polite applause or good ovations when he speaks at AHL events. He works ridiculously hard and is just a great person to deal with whether you’re a dopey blogger looking to be a responsible journalist or the head of a major company. Andrews has ALWAYS answered every query we’ve sent to him or talked with him about and as the saying goes, “It couldn’t happen to a better guy.”

Here are the official releases on Andrews and Girardi:

RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH DEFENSEMAN DAN GIRARDI 

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Dan Girardi on a new contract.

Girardi, 26, skated in 82 games with the Rangers this season, registering six goals and 18 assists for 24 points, along with 53 penalty minutes.  He was one of four Rangers to skate in all 82 games, and has played in 280 consecutive games, ranking ninth in the NHL among active streaks.  He led the team and ranked sixth in the NHL with 180 blocked shots, tied for second on the Rangers with 178 hits, ranked second in average icetime (21:29) and third with a plus-nine rating at home.  Girardi ranked second among team defensemen and ninth on the Rangers overall in even strength scoring, registering 19 of his 24 points at even strength, and he ranked third among club blueliners in goals and points, and fourth in assists.  The Rangers posted a record of 4-1-0 when he tallied a goal.  Girardi tied his career-high with a three-game assist/point streak from December 16 vs. the NY Islanders to December 19 at Philadelphia (three assists), and he recorded his first career multi-goal game with two goals on October 12 vs. Toronto.  On October 3, Girardi skated in his 200th career NHL game, registering one assist and a plus-three rating vs. Ottawa at Madison Square Garden.

A veteran of four NHL seasons, Girardi posted his finest offensive output during the 2007-08 season, establishing career-highs in goals (10), assists (18), points (28), power play goals (five) and shots (147).  His 10 goals tied for 20th in the NHL among defensemen, and he ranked second among team blueliners in goals, assists, points and power play goals.  Girardi also tallied a career-high, three playoff assists in 10 contests, recording his first NHL post-season point with a shorthanded assist on the game-winning goal in Game One of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal matchup vs. New Jersey on April 9 at Prudential Center.  Earlier that season, Girardi notched his first career NHL goal with a power play tally on October 18 at Atlanta.

The 6-2, 215-pounder has skated in 280 career NHL games with the Rangers, registering 20 goals and 60 assists for 80 points, along with 128 penalty minutes.  As a rookie in 2006-07, he tied for ninth in the NHL among first-year players with a plus-seven rating, having posted a plus or even rating in 28 of 34 games following his recall from Hartford (AHL) on January 25, 2007.  The Rangers completed their 2006-07 campaign registering a 19-9-6 record with Girardi in the lineup.  Girardi tallied his first career point with a two-assist performance on February 17, 2007 vs. Philadelphia, and made his NHL debut on January 27, 2007 at Philadelphia.  In addition, Girardi has recorded three assists and 16 penalty minutes in 27 career playoff contests.

The Welland, Ontario native signed as a free agent with the Rangers on July 1, 2006

AHL EXTENDS CONTRACT OF LEAGUE PRESIDENT DAVID ANDREWS

The American Hockey League’s Board of Governors is pleased to announce that David Andrews has agreed to terms on a contract extension that will see him continue to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hockey League through June 2015.

Andrews assumed the AHL presidency in 1994 and has solidified himself as one of the sport’s most influential executives. He has guided the league into unequaled times of prosperity, directing the AHL to record levels of attendance and exposure while significantly expanding its geography across the United States and Canada. As Andrews enters his 17th season at the helm in 2010-11, only Jack Butterfield (28 seasons) has served longer as President of the AHL. “All of us with an interest in the American Hockey League – our owners, our management, our fans, our partners and more – are extremely fortunate to have had the benefit of Dave Andrews’ leadership over the last 16 years as President and CEO,” said Rick Pych, President of Business Operations for Spurs Sports & Entertainment and Governor of the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage. “During his tenure, the AHL has become a critical step on the career path for virtually every young player en route to the NHL. We are all thrilled that Dave will continue to lead us through the exciting years that lie ahead.”

Under Andrews’ direction, the AHL has become the sole primary development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams, and will be at an all-time high of 30 active teams beginning this fall. In 2001, Andrews led one of the largest expansion efforts ever in professional sports, a complex enterprise of bringing nine new cities into the AHL, including six from the former International Hockey League. The AHL’s footprint has grown dramatically during Andrews’ tenure, moving from a circuit of teams primarily on the Atlantic seaboard to one with successful franchises throughout the Northeast and Midwest, in major North American cities such as Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland, Houston, San Antonio, Winnipeg, Milwaukee and, in 2010-11, Charlotte and Oklahoma City. Andrews has also worked to ensure the league’s success in smaller historical and traditional markets like Rochester, Springfield, Hershey, Portland and Providence.

Since 1994, AHL action, including marquee events like the annual AHL All-Star Classic and the Calder Cup Playoffs, has reached international audiences on television networks including TSN, CBC, ESPN and NHL Network, on satellite radio and via live on-line video streaming. The league also boasts an impressive list of corporate partners who have looked to the AHL as an effective tool for marketing their products and services. In 2004, Andrews oversaw a historic multi-million-dollar, multi-year partnership with Reebok which remains the foundation for the AHL’s marketing, licensing and on-ice branding strategies.

A native of Nova Scotia, Andrews came to the league office with firsthand knowledge of the AHL, having served as the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers’ AHL affiliate for seven years and winning a Calder Cup in 1993. His extensive hockey background includes serving as head coach of the WHL’s Victoria Cougars, serving on the development council of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and working with SportCanada in preparation for the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary. Andrews was honored with induction into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 2006

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