Trade winds for the Eagles

(AP) Colorado

The trade winds blew into Colorado recently for both the Eagles and the organization's minor league affiliate Utah Grizzlies.
In three separate transactions over the course of three days, 10 players changed hands and two draft picks between the Colorado organization and three other IHL/RSHL organizations.

The first transaction with Hartford-Vancouver saw netminders Osgood, Sabourin and the 2009 2nd Rd Entry Draft Pick leave the organization for franchise goalie Marty Brodeur along with hard nosed checking line forward Jamie Langenbrunner and Hartford's 2008 5th Round Free Agent Pick which turned into Blair Betts.

The second with Quesnel-Portland saw netminder Andy Raycroft leave the Utah affiliate for blueliner Karlis Skrastins from Portland. This move provides much needed depth for the Grizzlies defense corps, while Raycroft provides Portland with a backup netminder.

The third and final transaction was with Commish R. AL McRae and his beloved Wellwood Wolverines-Philadelphia Flyers organization. This trade saw scrappy vet Owen Nolan and goalie Mikail Tellqvist leave Utah for hard nosed defensive forward Jamal Mayers and young blueliner Steve Eminger. Mayers will be utilized at RW in place of Nolan on the Grizzlies 1st line while Eminger is organizational depth at this point in his career. It is hoped that with the correct tutelage, Eminger can blossom as a top rearguard, not only in the RSHL with Utah to start, but with the parent club Colorado Eagles of the IHL.

Reported by Grizz Adams

'08 Free Agent Draft

Colorado (AP)

Recently the 2008 free agent draft of the Iron Hockey League (IHL) took place. The Colorado Eagles welcomed to the organization, which also consists of the minor league affiliate Utah Grizzlies of the RSHL, the following players:


Blueliner Jan Hejda who will be utilized on a 3rd line pairing with the parent club in Colorado.
Veteran netminder Brian Boucher who is slated to be the starter between the pipes for the Grizzlies in Utah.
Youngster Tyler Kennedy who plies his trade on right wing. He has been assigned to the Grizzlies.
Young netminder Curtis McElhinney who will serve as Boucher's backup in Utah.
Veteran defensive centreman Blair Betts who will perform a penalty killing role for the Grizzlies.
Veteran portsider Mathias Tjarnqvist was the last pick for the org in the 5th and final round. He will perform a defensive forward role and penalty killer for the Grizzlies. He will be paired with Betts.
Not a bad free agent draft for the organization considering the parent Colorado Eagles finished 2nd in the Shore Division to the Wellwood Wolverines last season and 3rd overall during the regular season with 90 points. As a result of the Eagles excellent season the organization was picking 10th out of 12 teams.

In addition to the mostly veteran players above, the organization also drafted four youngsters in the 2008 Entry Draft held earlier this year. These 4 players (one entry pick had been traded previously for Stephan Yelle) are hoped to form the future cornerstone for the organization. They were:

Centreman Joshua Bailey from the Windsor Spitfires.
Goalie Thomas McCollum from the Guelph Storm.
Defenseman Michael Del Zotto from the Oshawa Generals.
Goalie Peter Delmas from the Lewiston Maineiacs

We will try to provide reports periodically about the organization including not only the parent club Colorado Eagles of the IHL but also the minor league affliate Utah Grizzlies of the RSHL. By the way, RSHL stands for the Rock 'EM SOCK 'EM Hockey League.
It should be a barnburner of a 2nd season!

Reported by Grizz Adams