Champions Hockey League update

The CHL has decided that it will indeed come back after taking a years absence next season. This is the official release from the IIHF.

CHL to re-start in 2010-2011
Economic recession causes calling off 2009-2010 Champions Hockey League.

by IIHF.com

ZURICH – The Champions Hockey League will not be played during the 2009-2010 season. However due to the huge success and positive response of the first season from all parties, the league is set to re-start for the 2010-2011 season, possibly with the National Hockey League as a stakeholder.

"After months of negotiations we came to the conclusion that it is better to postpone the Champions Hockey League re-start to 2010-2011 and to come back with a solid fundament one year from now," said IIHF President René Fasel.

As the original investors unexpectedly withdrew from their three-year agreement after the inaugural season as a direct result of the worldwide economic recession, and given the current economic environment we believe it is better to take the necessary time and ensure conditions are right for the continuation of the league in 2010-2011.

"Despite the global financial situation, several new potential investors stepped up and with them we have had constructive and extensive negotiations over the course of the last months. But as time was running out and we approached the extended deadline of June 15, we decided to postpone the upcoming season and concentrate all our efforts on a successful re-launch in 2010-2011."

"We announce this with deep regret especially towards the fans and in particular the clubs who had qualified for CHL participation for the upcoming season."

"Although we had to take this difficult decision, we are committed to come back stronger than ever and we will immediately resume our negotiations with the National Hockey League who has expressed interest to join forces with the IIHF to re-launch the Champions Hockey League in 2010-2011."

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman:

"The format and infrastructure of the Champions Hockey League provide a good foundation for the growth of international hockey," said Gary Bettman. “We have advised the IIHF of our willingness to offer resources and strategic contributions toward the pursuit of that objective."

The 2009 Hockey Champions

A list of 2009 Hockey Champions

NHL Stanley Cup

Pittsburgh Penguins
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AHL Calder Cup

Hershey Bears
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CHL Memorial Cup

Windsor Spitfires
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IIHF World Hockey Champions

Russia
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IIHF World Junior Champions

Canada
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NCAA Div I Frozen Four

Boston University
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KHL Gagarin Cup

Ak Bars Kazan
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Elitserien Le Mat Trophy

Färjestads BK
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ECHL Kelly Cup

South Carolina Stingrays
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IHL Turner Cup

Fort Wayne Komets
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CHL Ray Miron President Cup

Texas Brahmas
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SPHL President Cup

Knoxville Ice Bears
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DEL Champions

Eisbären Berlin
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NCAA Div I Women

Wisconsin Lady Badgers
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Congratulations to all the Champions of this past hockey season. What a wonderful year of hockey it was. Certainly a lot of great memories to take with us from this point forward through the off-season.

Thanks to all of the men and women who put their bodies on the line just so we can enjoy this wonderful game of hockey!

USA Inline team captures Silver Medal

As a player and member under USA Inline hockey I'm proud to say the US National team is bringing home the Silver Medal from the 2009 IIHF World Championship. They fell short in the Gold Medal game to Sweden 7-6. Also nice to see a local guy in my area CJ Yoder from Hershey, PA was named player of the Gold Medal game for USA.

If you ever have a chance to see a professional inline hockey game sanctioned by USA Inline Hockey, I definitely say go for it. It's a wide open game played 4 on 4, with no-icings and no-offsides. It's fast, and exciting.

Here is the official press release and box score from usahockey.com

Inline team claims silver medal

INGOLSTADT, Germany –Troy Redmann (Brea, Calif.) stopped 40 shots, but the U.S. National InLine Team came up just short, falling to Sweden, 7-6, here tonight in the gold-medal game at the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation InLine Hockey World Championship. Team USA played in the gold-medal game for the eighth time in the tournament's 14-year history and claimed a medal for the first time since 2006.June 13, 2009

"This outcome stings a little right now, but I am very proud of the way we played throughout the tournament," said Rob Chornomud, head coach of Team USA. "This marks a new horizon for Team USA and we're now on the verge of becoming a powerhouse for years to come."

After Sweden took the lead just :45 into the opening period, Brian Yingling (Harrisburg, Pa.) put the U.S. on the board at 3:49. Sweden re-gained the lead at 8:46, before Lee Sweatt (Colorado Springs, Colo.) blasted home a slapshot :55 later to tie the game.

Sweden scored the only two goals of the second frame to hold a 4-2 advantage after 24:00 of play.

CJ Yoder (Hershey, Pa.) wrapped around the net and tucked the puck inside the post for a power-play goal at 5:39 of the third stanza, before Ernie Hartlieb (Warren, Mich.) fired a wrist shot to tie the game just 1:21 later. After Sweatt sent a shot into the top corner of the net to give the U.S. its first lead of the game at 8:14, Pontus Sjogren replaced Dennis Karlsson in the Swedish net.

Sweden tied the game at 4:59 of the fourth frame. Yingling tapped in a great feed from Yoder to regain the lead for Team USA at 7:21. Sweden used a screen in front of Redmann to even the game at 8:51 and scored the game-winner just :30 later.

NOTES: CJ Yoder was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... Ernie Hartlieb was selected by the directorate as the tournament's best defenseman ... James Beilsten (St. Charles, Mo.) led all defensemen in the tournament with 17 points (6-11) in six games. Beilsten was Team USA's top point-getter in the tournament, while Brian Yingling ranked second with 12 points (7-5) ...The U.S. roster can be found here... In the 14-year history of the IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship, the United States has earned gold medals in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, and 2006; silver medals in 1998, 2001 and 2009; and bronze medals at the 2000, 2003 and 2005 tournaments ...Oliver David served as the assistant coach for Team USA.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA	2	0	3	1 --	6
SWE	2	2	0	3 --	7

First Period - Scoring: 1, SWE, Wessner (Axelsson), :45; 2, USA, Yingling (Yoder, Beilsten), 3:49; 3, SWE, Axelsson (Wessner), 8:46; 4, USA, Sweatt (Rodriguez), 9:41. Penalties: SWE, Thelander (interference), 6:26.

Second Period - Scoring: 5, SWE, Svensson (Klasen), 2:44; 6, SWE, Andersson (Axelsson, Wessner), 7:00. Penalties: USA, Yoder (slashing), 7:14.

Third Period - Scoring: 7, USA, Yoder (Beilsten), 5:39 (pp); 8, USA, Hartlieb (Gawrys, Oleksy), 7:00; 9, USA, Sweatt (Sigmund), 8:14. Penalties: SWE, Luukkonen (body-checking), 4:16; SWE, Bergman (interference), 10:13.

Fourth Period - Scoring: 10, SWE, Axelsson (Klasen), 4:59; 11, USA, Yingling (Yoder, Osterkamp), 7:21; 12, SWE, Thelander (Wessner, Axelsson), 8:51; 13, SWE, Klasen (Brolin, Svensson), 9:21. Penalties: None.

Shots by Period	1	2	3	4	Total
USA	11	3	13	11	38
SWE	14	17	7	9	47
Goaltenders (SH/SV)	1	2	3	4	Total
USA, Redmann, 48:00	14-12	17-15	7-7	9-6	47-40
SWE, Karlsson, 32:14	11-9	3-3	13-10	x	27-22
SWE, Sjogren, 15:46	x	x	0-0	11-10	11-10

Power Play: USA 1-3; SWE 0-1
Penalties: USA 1-1.5; SWE 3-4.5
Officials: Radim Prchal (CZE), Jeffrey Scott (AUS)

Flyers name Hatcher to front office

Hatcher Retires, Joins Front Office
Defenseman is named as new player development coach

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that Derian Hatcher has been named as the new player development coach, according to Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. The former Flyers defenseman and captain also announced that he is retiring from the National Hockey League after 17 seasons.

“We are pleased to add Derian to our coaching staff in this very important capacity,” said Holmgren in making the announcement. “Derian will spend valuable time with the young players throughout our organization, working on their on-ice game as well as helping these young players deal with the issues playing and/or preparing to play professional hockey.”

“I am very excited. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when Paul offered me this position. It sounded like the perfect way to stay in the game and see if I like it,” said Hatcher. “I will be watching the younger players and making sure everything runs smoothly for them. I will be involved with running the rookie camp this summer, where I will get to work closely with some of our younger players.”

Full Story here

from NHL.com

Lidstrom Surgery

If Nick Lidstrom didn't seem to be his normal self during the Stanley Cup Playoffs there is a great reason why.

Lidstrom told the Detroit Free Press today that he had testicular surgery after Chicago forward Patrick Sharp speared him late in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on May 22nd.

The surgery was May 24th and kept the six time Norris Trophy winner out of the final two games of that series.

American TV Ratings

Gary Bettman must be just over joyed with himself these days after what was one of the most watched hockey games in American history. With an average of 7.51 million viewers ages 18-49 they raised the cup to the #1 spot Friday night for NBC. These numbers are huge for the US.

Here is the breakdown for the game 7 ratings.

NBC reigned supreme on this second Friday in June, with the seventh (and final) game of The Stanley Cup Finals at an above-average 7.51 million viewers and a 3.0 rating/11 share from 8-11 p.m. in primetime. Personally, I have no recollection of a hockey game ever rating this high. Take a look at the half-hour breakdown:

The Stanley Cup Finals, Game 7 (NBC)
8:00 p.m.: Viewers: 5.78 million (#1), A18-49: 2.2/ 9 (#1)
8:30 p.m.: Viewers: 6.37 million (#1), A18-49: 2.5/10 (#1)
9:00 p.m.: Viewers: 7.27 million (#1), A18-49: 2.9/11 (#1)
9:30 p.m.: Viewers: 7.55 million (#1), A18-49: 3.1/10 (#1)
10:00 p.m.: Viewers: 9.01 million (#1), A18-49: 3.7/12 (#1)
10:30 p.m.: Viewers: 9.07 million (#1), A18-49: 3.7/12 (#1)

Pennsylvania is the home for the Cups

Last night the state of Pennsylvania saw two professional hockey teams win in their respective leagues. Neither of the teams actually did it at home. Obviously the Pittsburgh Penguins won Game 7 in Detroit last night 2-1 to win the Stanley Cup. Word is, it was the most watched NHL game in the past decade (USA). Malkin picked up the Conn Smythe, for MVP of the playoffs.

Also last night in Winnipeg Manitoba the Hershey Bears brought home the American Hockey League's Calder Cup for a record 10th time in their history. The most ever by one team. They won the game 4-1 after taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the first period. Michal Neuvirth took home MVP honors after going 16-6 with a 1.92 GAA, .932 SV % and 4 shutouts in the post-season.