Richardson Rounds Roster, Rovers Ready to Roll

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

The Rovers completed their free agent shopping last night, inking reserve defenseman Luke Richardson to a 1 yr contract worth $540,000. Richardson will fill the role of #7 Dman, one considered important by the club. "We have Steve [Montador], but we wanted a vet that can play minutes and doesn't have lingering injury concerns", Stringer said of the signing. "Luke's been around the league forever and knows how to play the role we have for him. He'll be a great guy in the room as well".

Barring any callups from the minors, the signing also completes the roster for RHL16 and brings the Rovers to the 23-man minimum limit. With a payroll of just under $28M, the Rovers will be spending far less than they have in the past three seasons, but will have the flexibility to add to the team should their performance warrant it around the trade deadline. A tentative opening night lineup may look like this.

Stillman - Jokinen - Murray
Frolov - Demitra - Horton
Laaksonen - Draper - Bergeron
Lundmark - Legwand - Hall

Johnsson - Carney
Regehr - Brewer
Liles - D.Markov

Gerber/Mason

Scratches: Richardson, Montador, Thibault

Ozo Out

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

After being acquired in the Chris Pronger trade and unhappy with the prospect of playing a limited role in Baffin, Sandis Ozolinsh has been dealt to the Waterloo Thundercats for $1. "Hey, we're not miracle workers here... there was a very limited market for Ozolinsh and we knew that when we got him", Stringer said of the trade when a beat writer wondered why more wasn't coming in return. "We simply wanted to clear the salary from the books... the Thundercats needed a dman but, like everyone else in the league, weren't willing to part with anything to get him. Clearing the entire salary without having to part with cash to do so was the only goal here; getting anything in return would have been a bonus".

In other Rover news, the club has inked utility forward Jamie Lundmark to a 1 yr contract. Lundmark is expected to fill a fourth-line role with the club, having the ability to play all three forward positions. "We needed someone with versatility, and Jamie gives us that at the right price", Stringer commented.

Pronger headed to Albany

Pronger couldn't escape the cameras of the Rover Report as he left Iqaluit Friday morning

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Nine days after stunning the Rovers and the rest of the RHL world with his trade request, Chris Pronger has had his wish granted. The all-star defenseman has been traded to the Albany Straphangers in exchange for defensemen Keith Carney, Sandis Ozolinsh, forward prospect Christopher Higgins, and a first round draft pick. The teams also exchange third round picks in the deal. "It's not easy to trade away the best defenseman in the league", GM Stringer said of the transaction. "We had a number of teams that were seriously interested, but the StrapHangers were very keen on retooling their blueline and the deal went from there".

In Carney, the Rovers receive one of the best defensive defensemen in the game. He played 59 games last season for the StrapHangers, recording seven assists. Ozolinsh split last season between the Thundercats and the 'Hangers, posting 11 goals and 32 pts for the year. Higgins scored 23 goals last season for his club team and is expected to make a push to join the Rovers in RHL17. "Overall we accomplished what we needed to in the deal", Stringer reflected. "Carney gives us someone to plug into the top pairing and Ozo gives us some depth, while Higgins and the first set us up for the future. Nobody wants to lose a Pronger from their team, but I think we've covered the interests of the Rovers this year and down the road".

Report: Pronger dealt!

Rover Report has learned this hour that Chris Pronger has been traded... awaiting confirmation.

The Last of the Mohicans

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

All good things must come to an end, and that is what happened earlier this week with the signing of former Rover Sean Hill in Lethbridge. The signing rubber-stamped what had seemed inevitable since the trading deadline when Hill issued his contract demand; that he would hit free agency and receive an offer that the Rovers could not match. Facing a strapped budget, that happened when the Rovers could not equal the $1.2M offer made by the Selects. "We really wanted to bring him back and thought there was a chance we could keep him under a million", GM Stringer said of the negotiations. "But when they [Selects] got involved, we couldn't stay in it".

While on the ice, the signing meant the loss of the Rovers #6 Dman from RHL15, off the ice it meant the departure of the last original Rover from the club's RHL11 expansion draft. The 10th player selected in the expansion draft that year, Hill quickly became the leader of the baby Rovers as they set forth into their rookie season. "He really took the bull by the horns in the lockerroom that season", Stringer recalled. "Obviously we were a group that was just thrown together, but we knew that there were a few guys that had a chance to stick around through the growing pains, and Sean was one of them. He was a great first captain".

Hill leaves the Rovers ranking as the club's all-time PIM leader, and second in career minutes played behind Kim Johnsson and games played behind David Legwand. He also ranks third in defenseman scoring in goals, assists, and points behind Johnsson and Rob Blake. The title of longest-tenured Rover now falls to David Legwand, who was acquired during the RHL11 preseason after the expansion draft and with Hill were the only two players on the roster to have played in the club's first RHL game.

Rovers Announce Affliation Agreement with Tampa Bay Manatees

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

With the new Realistic Minor Hockey League (RMHL) scheduled to launch this season, the Baffin Island Rovers have unveiled plans to share an affliation with the expansion Cleveland Falcons in Tampa Bay. The Manatees will be stocked primarily with players from the Rovers, with the Falcons placing their key prospects there for development purposes. The team will be run by Rovers management, as they will be providing the bulk of the players. "We're really excited about this", Rovers GM Steve Stringer said, who will initially add Manatees GM to his already busy job description. "We're looking forward to getting our prospects a place to play and develop. And we hope that the working relationship with the Falcons is beneficial to both franchises".

The depth of the Rovers prospect ranks is such that they could almost field their own team outright, however the Falcons have a few outstanding prospects that will be key players. Tops on that list is the #1 overall pick in the RHL16 Entry Draft, Sidney Crosby. Crosby is expected to play just one season in the RMHL, but the interest he has generated has already electrified the Tampa area. "Our phones have been ringing off the hook since it was announced that Cleveland and Crosby would be part of the Manatees", said one ticket agent with the Manatees. "Season ticket sales have already surpassed five thousand and we've only been selling for three days. It's phenomenal". Also sure to make an impact from Cleveland is Ryan Getzlaf, the fourth pick in the dispersal draft. Kenddal McArdle and Konstantin Glazachev will also look to bolster the squad.

The Rovers, as stated, will provide the bulk of the players. Some of the key prospects are Evgeny Malkin, who will provide an unmatched 1-2 punch at center ice. Other forwards include Igor Grigorenko, Mike Richards, Bryan Boyle, Travis Zajac, and Kris Chucko. Dion Phaneuf will anchor and impressive blueline with Zybnek Michalek, Ryan Parent, Christoph Schubert, Michal Barinka, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The team is set in goal with top prospect Kari Lehtonen and Ray Emery manning the nets with Yann Danis and Pekka Rinne battling for icetime. Veteran free-agents will augment the core of youth. "Primarily this is a developmental team, so our young players will get their ice-time", Stringer said, "but some solid veteran RHLers will provide a leadership example on and off the ice that can only help our youngsters".

The irony of an agreement with Tampa Bay is not lost on Baffin Island management. Just five seasons ago in RHL11, the Rovers and the Tampa Bay Celtic Rays entered the RHL as expansion cousins. The Celtic Rays took a win-now approach, drafting the likes of a $9M Mario Lemieux in their expansion draft, while the Rovers played things much slower. Two seasons later, the Celtic Rays were out of the league and the Rovers were about to win their first championship. "It's funny how things go, I guess", Stringer said. "I'm obviously happy with how things have gone for us so far in the RHL, and I'm glad now that the fans in the Tampa Bay area can enjoy professional hockey again".

Richards - Crosby - Grigorenko
Getzlaf - Malkin - Zajac
McArdle - Chucko - Boyle
Glazachev - Ryder - Meyer

Phaneuf - Michalek
Parent - Schubert
Barinka - Vlasic

Lehtonen
Emery

Not-so-Free agency sees Stillman as only Rover returnee

Stillman re-upped with the Rovers.

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Free agency hasn't been kind to Baffin Island this year. Entering the auction, the Rovers had hoped to retain some key pieces of their run over the past three seasons, as well as some of their trade deadline acquisitions. However, more lucrative offers to Mark Recchi (Seattle), Jeff Halpern (Victoria), and Sean Hill (Lethbridge) left the Rovers on the outside looking in. The only player they were able to retain was Cory Stillman, who accepted a $2.2M contract offer from the club.. virtually the same salary he played for last season. "We really needed another top six winger, and one who could play the left side", GM Stringer said after the signing was confirmed. "Cory was the top available LW and was high on our priority list. We're very glad to have him back".

"I really was impressed with the organization from the minute I got here", Stillman said when reached at his home via phone. "I knew I wanted to re-sign, but I knew that the team would have some tough decisions to make. I'm looking forward to getting back at it with the guys".

After being acquired at mid-season from the Freeze, Stillman played in 34 regular season games, scoring 10 goals and adding 12 assists for 22 points while registering a +4 rating. He then posted a goal and 6 assists in 13 playoff games against Calgary and South Edmonton.

The Rovers also announced the signing of goaltender Jocelyn Thibault to a 1 yr contract at the league minimum. Thibault, a 15-yr veteran, has appeared in 585 RHL games with a career GAA of 2.88 and svpct of .902. "After losing Hedberg, we wanted another veteran to back up the duo of Gerber and Mason", Stringer explained. "Jocelyn is a veteran that's been around for a long time and knows the league and is willing to play the role we have for him here supporting our two starters".

Pronger Wants Out

Pronger has requested a trade for personal reasons.

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

GM Steve Stringer has confirmed that star defenseman Chris Pronger has officially requested a trade, and has agreed to attempt to accomodate the request. "Chris came to us and said he wanted to relocate due to personal reasons, and those reasons will remain personal for him to disclose should he choose to do so", Stringer said to a hastily-gathered scrum. "We will attempt to grant his request and have already begun fielding offers, but it must suit the best interest of the Baffin Island Rovers as well, and Chris knows that. But, as best as we can, we will attempt to do this in an expedious manner for sake of all parties involved".

Pronger was signed as a free agent prior to RHL15 to fill the void left by the trading of Rob Blake to Guelph. In one season with the Rovers, Pronger played in 63 regular season games and scored 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points while posting a +19 rating. He has one year remaining on his contract.

It is unknown whether Pronger is unhappy with the direction the club has taken in free agency, or whether there is an outside reason why the trade demand was made. Some are speculating that his family may be a motivating factor in the decision. Pronger himself was unavailable to the media, but has issued a statement through his agent: "Please respect that the reasons for this request are personal and I will not be discussing them publicly. I would like to thank the Rovers organization and their fans for a great season last year".

Report: Pronger requests trade

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Unconfirmed reports at this hour suggest that Shore finalist and #1 defenseman Chris Pronger has requested a trade to leave the Rovers. GM Steve Stringer would neither confirm nor deny the report when contacted fifteen minutes ago, but did say that "we always listen to any offer for any player". The Rover Report will do their best to confirm this story and get the details out ASAP.

Rinne, Genoway Round out Rover Draft

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

The Rovers ended their RHL16 draft by adding a goaltender and a winger to their prospect roster. With two picks at the end of the round, they first selected goaltender Pekka Rinne from the Milwaukee Admirals and then tabbed winger Colby Genoway of the Hartford Wolf Pack with their final pick. Rinne won 30 games for the Ads in his first season in North America, posting a 2.82 GAA and a .904 svpct. Genoway, playing his first pro season after leaving the University of North Dakota, notched 26 goals and 61 points in 77 games as an AHL rookie. "Yesterday we took two junior-aged players that we feel have tremendous upside", Stringer said of his draft strategy. "Today we identified two slightly older prospects that are a little further along, but still possess the ability to become future Rovers.. and perhaps a bit quicker than our earlier picks. Overall we're very pleased with our draft, and will now turn our attention towards free agency".

Vlasic, Ryder newest Rovers

Vlasic (left) and Ryder (right) join the Rovers prospect group

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

With two selections in the second round, the Rovers one defenseman and one forward to their prospect stable. First they tabbed Quebec Remparts defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who was an assistant captain on the Memorial Cup Champions, and then selected center Daniel Ryder of the OHL Champion Peterborough Petes. The championship pedigree was not lost of Rovers scouts. "We're really excited about both guys", GM Stringer said. "I think our scouts did a great job getting them at the end of the secound round. Both guys were key contributors to championship junior teams and we look forward to them being contributors to the Rovers in the future".

Vlasic was fourth among QMJHL defensemen in scoring with 73 points in 66 regular season games and led all defensemen (and was fifth overall) with 29 playoff points. Ryder finished the regular season with 38 goals and 82 points in 65 games, but added 31 points in 19 playoff games to win the Wayne Gretzky "99" award as OHL playoff MVP.

Ryder's Newfoundland roots were also not lost on the team owner, himself a native Newfoundlander. "Clarenville and Bonavista were always wicked rivals in high school hockey, so even though he's from the dark side [Bonavista], I won't hold it against him", Stringer said with a wink.

Grigorenko Returns to Rovers

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

A day after dealing one prospect from the Rovers inaugural RHL11 draft, they re-acquired one of their original draftees in a deal with Guelph. The Rovers sent two third round draft choices in today's draft to the Reapers in exchange for Igor Grigorenko, a second-round selection of the club in RHL11. Grigorenko originally left the Rovers last season in the deal that saw Mark Recchi and Antti Laaksonen come over from San Diego. "This one is a gamble, we acknowledge", Stringer said of the move, "but after picking up what we did for Dennis [Seidenberg] yesterday, we felt comfortable with it. The new prospect rules make it cheaper to keep Igor, and we can keep him for longer than we originally could when we first dealt him. We hope he can be much closer to contributing with the extended timeframe". Grigorenko has confirmed that he will be staying in Russia this season, but anticipates coming over to North America to try and make the Rovers the following season.

Seidenberg Shipped to Aviators

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

A day after drafting a defenseman in the first round, the Baffin Island Rovers have traded another defenseman away. The Rovers have sent prospect Dennis Seidenberg to the Aviators in exchange for a second round pick and a third round pick, both in next year's entry draft. Seidenberg, a third round pick of the Rovers in their inaugural RHL11 entry draft, was ready to challenge for a roster spot in RHL17, but organizational depth at the position allowed management to make the move for extra draft picks. "We've really liked Dennis for a long time", Stringer said, "but with all the young guys in the system, there wouldn't have been much playing time for him. Phaneuf, Liles, and Michalek will all be looking for a regular shift as rookies and of course there are still our veterans around. It's probably better for Dennis and his career to get playing time in another organization. We wish him nothing but the best with the Aviators".

The Rovers are reportedly still looking for another second round pick in this entry draft. Whether or not they are successful remains to be seen.

Rover Tab Parent in First Round

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

The Rovers got defensive and added to their already impressive stable of blueline prospects by selecting Ryan Parent of the Guelph Storm with their first round pick, 23rd overall. "We feel very good about Ryan and his ability to contribute to the Rovers in the near future", GM Stringer said of the pick. "With Phaneuf, Liles, and Michalek, Ryan continues to increase our depth at a key position". The Rovers currently have two selections in the second round and four in the third round.