Possible Aeros Radio Moves

I know after the discussion with Joe O'Donnell that some of you were worried about the Aeros' games being on the radio this upcoming season. I can't give specifics yet, but I have learned from two different sources that the Aeros, as well as being in discussions to return to 1070, are also in discussions with 1560 The Game.

Personally, I'm pulling for the games to end up on 1560 as not only would I no longer have to listen to commercials for programming that makes Sean Hannity sound sane, but I really think it would really be better for the Aeros to be on a sports station that would be able to provide them a better platform to appeal to sports fans.

(And for those concerned about 1560's weak signal, they are just awaiting approval from the FCC to use a new signal that will match up with 740s.)

Trouble for Manchester Monarchs Beatwriter

Here is what you need to know: A veteran New Hampshire Union Leader sportswriter (Kevin Provencher) faces two felony charges of deriving income from prostitution.

And here is where you can find more info about it.

What's in YOUR closet?

Some Comments From Jamie Spencer -- VP of Business Operations

With everything that’s been going on with the Aeros the past several weeks, we’ve been trying to take some time to talk to various people associated with the team. Since I’ve built up some relationships with the people on the business side, that’s who I’ve been talking to. They can’t give a lot of information on what’s happening hockey wise, but I thought you might like some information on what they want to do for the game experience once the season starts.

So here’s some information that I got from Jamie Spencer who is the Aeros Vice President of Business Operations.

Let’s start with one of the biggest complaints: the lack of replays on weeknight games. Spencer says the team would like very much to have replays for every game, and that he will be meeting with the people who run Toyota Center in a few weeks to discuss several matters for this season, including replays.

“I remember that from my first game. I looked up and there were no replays,” Spencer said. “But like everything else, we’re trying to run a solid business, and everything cost money so we’re trying to assess where we spend our dollars.”

Another issue that’s being assessed is if, and the number of, games that will be shown on television this season. “We’d love to have every game on TV if we could,” he said. “What we need to do there is do a better of job of sponsorship in order to move the needle and get some TV games and some exposure….that’s something we’re assessing right now, to decide if it’s worth it and how many games that would mean, because exposure is something that we’re really working on.”

Spencer loves the fans in Houston and thinks that the team has a great core for a fan base: “I see some very passionate fans in Houston that remind me of the season ticket holders here in Minnesota,” he said. But he wants to expand this fan base and they are exploring ways to make this happen.

The team wants to focus on improving the fan experience this season, and once the schedule is released, they’re going to get down to figuring out all of the promotions for the season. Returning promotions will probably include Chilipalooza, Guns-and-Hoses, Military Night, and so on. And Bikini Night will definitely be back.

“I know the Bikini Contest has become a fan favorite,” Spencer said. “The thing in Houston is we want to keep an affordable family atmosphere, we also want to have some fun with it, too. The weekends and weeknights are different there, as you’ve seen. We really try to put a good mix of promotions together that appeal to a wide audience.”

The team is also looking at adding Ice Girls to the mix to go with the Aero Dynamics. But he’s not sure if the Ice Girls would come from within the Dynamics, or be a different squad.

Spencer is aware that there are fans here in Houston who are upset about some of the changes that have occurred with the team’s roster and staff. And while he’s not on hockey side of the operation, he did have some comments.

“The big thing [with the Aeros] is that we’re trying to develop players that can move up to the Minnesota team,” he said. “The players that have moved up here, many have contributed. It seems like each year we get guys who become everyday NHL players. Development is a huge part of that.”

[SNIP]

“It’s really hard for me to answer this because I don’t make the roster decisions,” he continued. “The only thing I can say is that we are continuing to want to win in Houston.…we made offers to everybody we could. Some of these guys after having successful seasons, they get more money going other places or are more marketable now….It’s not that we didn’t want to sign them, it’s that they’re getting more money to go to other places.”

And Chuck Fletcher and Jim Mill “want to make sure that [Wild coach] Todd Richards is comfortable with anybody we sign. If needed, and someone gets called up, that Todd would be comfortable putting them in the system. And when you change your system, you probably change rosters more than normal.”

[SNIP]

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a fresh look. Some fans might get nervous about that, and other fans get excited -- and I hope that they’re getting excited because there’s been a lot of change. Specifically on the hockey side of our business. And that isn’t a bad thing….so I think this new group is going to bring a different look and a different feel, and it make some time for the fans to understand what that means.”

Ladies, one last Matt Beaudoin...

Joe O'Donnell posted what is probably his last interview with Beauds as an Aero. I wish I could say that he looks awful and we won't miss him, but you'd see for yourself that I'm lying like rug.

And just to twist the knife, they're discussing the charity work some of the guys did at Memorial Hermann. Nothing like your favorite hockey hunk helping little kids. Dear Lord.

Anyway, go check it out.

UDPATE: I had trouble getting to the video, as well. Try this link. [John]

Photo by Fred Trask

See, we all make mistakes. Just laugh.

What is wrong with this caption on the picture at the end of this post?
(Hint, check behind the left skate...)

I included a .jpeg (below), and here is the link. But the Admirals are sure to correct this before too long. I hope. There is a bigger version of the picture on the Web ... if it is still there. For some reason, this is the best I could do, resolution wise, on this blog.

Enjoy

NHL May Accept Reinsdorf, But That Means Nothing To The Court

For those of you wondering about what the NHL's action of approving Jerry Reinsdorf's bid to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes means, I provide as a simple an answer as possible: NOTHING.

The NHL has no say in this matter anymore. It's all up to the bankruptcy judge. And if the bankruptcy judge doesn't like Reinsdorf's bid, then it doesn't matter a bit what the NHL wants. The judge will consider the bids next week. There is, technically, only one bid for the judge to consider, and that's Reinsdorf's bid which doesn't even involve any money -- it's just Reinsdorf assuming the debts and promising to pay back the creditors at some point. The so-called second bid from another Canadian group was nothing more than a letter of intent to make a financial bid at an unspecified time in the future. The Court was quite clear that the it wanted bids, but it's possible that the judge will also consider this as a bid and take this into account at the auction next week.

It's quite possible -- I really wouldn't rule it out because there's never no telling what will happen in bankruptcy court -- that next week the judge will accept Reinsdorf's bid. But he will accept or reject the bid on the basis of what's actually included in the bid, not on the basis of what the NHL decided on yesterday. The judge has already indicated in the past that he thinks the NHL is full of it, so it's quite possible the NHL decision could harm the chances of the team staying in Phoenix past this upcoming season.

Like I said, it's possible the judge will rule in the NHL's favor and give the team to Jerry Reinsdorf. Personally, I doubt it as bankruptcy judges don't like being bossed around by parties that have no role in the proceedings. But we're not going to no until next week.

Former Aero Makes Good, Really Good

I can't believe we missed this, as we do try and make an effort to follow Houston Aeros alumni, but miss this we did. Former Aeros player Mike Yeo has been on the coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the past three seasons, which means he was part of the the recent Penguins Stanley Cup coaching staff.

And that means he got to have the Cup for a day. And here's what he did with it. Congrats, Mike.

Moderation Is Now On

Okay, we tried to play nice. We laid out commenting rules to be followed last week. And we think we've still had a pretty good free flow of information, comments, etc. But we've had some nasty stuff posted tonight, and every time we deleted the comment -- as we said we would -- it was reposted. And since none of us wanted to stay up all night handling this matter, we've turned on the moderation feature.

If this works properly, that means that nothing goes up in the comments until one of us approves it. Sorry, but somebody decided to abuse the commenting privilege. We're having a group meeting this weekend and we'll discuss how to handle this, but for now, it's moderation. And I apologize.

Cool off and help a great cause

Friendly reminder to head up to the Aerodrome in Willowbrook (north of 1960 on Hwy 249) and check out the STARSkaters fundraiser going on beginning at 3:40 p.m. Saturday, Aug 1.

For a mere $10 (including skate rental), you can skate, hang out in supremely air-conditioned comfort, maybe win some really awesome raffle prizes (no joke, there's some really cool stuff), and learn about all the amazing work STARSkaters does to get people out on the ice who might not otherwise get to experience that joy.

And it is, in fact, a very joyful thing to ice skate. So if you've always wanted to try, they're even doing lessons as part of your entrance fee. What better time to learn? Like I told myself I when I started learning to skate, "Hey, you aren't getting any younger." ;)

You can even try out skating on one of the sleds. Fun fact I learned from one of my favorite hockey writers, Justin Bourne, whose brother Jeff is a sled player, that the goalies have SPIKES (okay, he called 'em picks, but I'm calling them SPIKES) on their glove and blocker to help them move. Fierce!

There's a sled exhibition game at 5:50 after they cut the ice (so, a little off-season zamboni action!), which will be fun to watch and I know the players will appreciate having a crowd cheering them, so don't leave when you're done skating!

What's not to love? Cool off, do something cheap and good for the skating and hockey community in Houston, maybe win some stuff, definitely learn some things, and watch some hockey!

Oh, and Chilly will be there, too, if you like that sort of thing.

Here's the Facebook page for the event and here's a PDF with ALL the details.

A Discussion With Joe O'Donnell

I spent some time yesterday with Aeros play-by-play guy Joe O'Donnell -- you can read a profile of Joe over at the mothership if you want to give it a look. (Remember, the more that you click and read over there the more willing the editors are to allow more hockey coverage.) But besides my Houston Press duties, I spent some time with Joe discussing the off-season, some of the changes, and the upcoming season. There's a lot of off-the-record stuff I can't share, but I thought you might enjoy reading some of Joe's thoughts.

You might not like or agree with everything he says, but unlike myself -- and most of us -- he spends a lot of time talking to Kevin Constantine and Troy Ward during the off-season.

JOE O'DONNELL ON THIS UPCOMING SEASON AND THE CHANGES TO THE TEAM:

"If I may, I would like to give a disclaimer to the fan base: everything will be fine in Houston this season in my opinion. Now if it’s December and the team’s not playing well, email me and remind me about this. But in my estimation, this team will be fine.

"The Minnesota Wild put a lot of stock in what the Aeros mean as far as being a piece of the organization. On the roster right now…I think defensively, there have already been upgrades. There’s going to be some guys on the Aeros who are borderline Wild guys -- Clayton Stoner, Jamie Sifers, etc. There’s a good chance there will be eight defenseman in Houston who are going to be legit. That are going to be fighting for ice time. Max Noreau and Justin Falk could be your five/six. That’s pretty darn good. And I talked to Troy Ward about this in the last week, and he’s really excited about the defense as well.

"Goalteanding. You know what you’ve got. If [Wade] Dublielewicz is here, awesome. If not, Brust and Khudobin are certainly capable of winning you games. They’ve proven that.

"Offensively. Are you losing some pieces of the puzzle from last year, sure. But there’s a lot more that goes into it than just putting up points. There’s certain roles that guys didn’t play last year that maybe new guys will fall into this year. You’re still going to have your hard working guys, your Danny Irmen’s, etc that’ll most likely be here. If a [Benoit] Pouliot or a [Colton] Gillies ends up down here, then this team’s going to be good, they’re going to be real good again, and the division’s going to be better."

*********************
"If there’s a fan that’s upset about losing players like Locke, Kolanos, etc. I get that. I’m sad to see those guys go. And I know the coaching staff would love to have a Matt Beaudoin back again, or Marco Rosa. Those are big pieces to lose. But there will be guys to come and fill those shoes or take on a different role and this team will take on a different style and have a different identity."

JOE O'DONNELL ON THE NEW DIVISIONAL ALIGNMENT:

"I expect Austin to be good. And we’re going to see Matt Climie a lot, and we all know about him. Austin’s going to be no slouch. San Antonio’s going to have a better year. They essentially have to….The Aeros are built defensively right now. They’re built from their blue line out, which is a good start to the summer. Plus the Wild have cap room. And they’ve got some trade bait.

"I think the Aeros will certainly benefit this year from having an easier travel schedule. A better schedule as a whole. There’s no way they’ll have 15 three-in-three’s again….I think the schedule and Austin coming in is great. I know as an organization we really want to play off the Austin/San Antonio rivalry for years to come. And hopefully the fans will buy into that…I think it will make for a great West Division this year."

JOE O'DONNELL ON THE COACHING STAFF:
"[Kevin Constantine last season] was interesting to work with. Just such an unique hockey brain, such an unique person. The stuff he looks at, I’ve never heard any other coaches look at. The stuff he talks about, the way he tries to see what players are thinking and feeling, that stuff is very unique to him. I also learned with KC to pick my spots. He’s very driven hockey wise so there are times when I just know it’s not a good time to go B.S. with the coach or go ask for an interview. But there are also other times when Kevin Constantine is your normal guy, he’s an awesome guy, and he has fun….his brain is just always hockey oriented.

"Troy Ward is a consummate professional who really knows the game and works tirelessly. And Luke Strand is awesome as well….I know the coaching staff will miss him a lot."

JOE O'DONNELL ON HIS BROADCASTS AND HIS INTERNET PEEPS:

"Hockey was my passion and that was what I wanted to do from the time I was a freshman.

"It’s hard to call a baseball game because there’s so much down time and dead air, [but hockey] comes naturally…with my style, it flows...if I see something I just try to describe it…I’ve just learned that you can’t get everything [happening on the ice] out and you’ve just got to stay with your thought….

"I’ve always been objective. I don’t know where that came from, but I pretty much told myself from game one when I got into this business that I wasn’t going to be a homer. I’m passionate about the team I work for. Sure I want them to win. Sure somewhere deep down inside I’m pulling for them, but to me, there’s nothing worse than a guy who doesn’t tell you what’s going on and just tells you one side of the story. With my style, with my call. I’m going to be passionate, and you’re going to know I’m working for the Aeros, but you’re also going to know when the Aeros aren’t playing well, or when it’s time to give credit to the other team.

"It was tough [coming in at the last minute and having to learn the team, the league, and the players]….It was difficult. It felt for me like the first ten games I was trying to find my game. And I kind new that the start of the year took a handful of games to get back into it, it’s like everything else. But when I hit the 10th game, when that 10th game ended, I kind of proclaimed to myself that I was ready. That I was finally caught up to the speed of the game, that I knew the Aeros well enough to talk about them confidently, and now all I had to do was focus on the other team."

***********************
"What I’ve been trying to do…is I try to talk to both coaches before every game and get a thought or two or a key to the game from both sides, whether it’s a player or whoever. And I try to mix that stuff in more than I try to mix in stuff about a guy’s family or whether he has a sense of humor….I try to get what is the objective for this team for this game.

"I was trained from the best. I say that because my board operator in Boise would talk to me non-stop during the game. He would sing in the studio. He was a fan. So if we were down 4-1 in the third period, I would be listening to him gripe about the team while I’m calling the game, so I learned to block it out. You’re in a broadcast booth by yourself sometimes for five hours between preparing and breaking down the post game show and the broadcast. If it’s not going to be fun, then why are you doing it. So that’s why you’ll hear me talking to my internet peeps…I hope that they find the broadcasts enjoyable. Shoot me an email during the game, I’ll respond to it.

"It’s a blast. I love what I do."

JOE O'DONNELL REGARDING THE AEROS ON THE RADIO:

[The Aeros are currently without a radio broadcaster.]

"Our deal with KNTH was a one-year deal. We’re currently in the process of exploring some options. We’re going to talk KNTH again. We’re going to talk to some sports stations in the area. We’re going to do our homework, and we’re going to try and find a radio partner that fits best for us and essentially our fan base. Someone that wants to be partnered with us. That’s going to promote us, and somebody we can get some exposure for."