There was a cheer near the end of practice today that I think was for Jordan Hill, who, if you missed it last night, had the PTO tag removed: He has signed an AHL deal for the rest of the year. He has done well in his role, and brings a comfort level for and with Scott Pellerin from their two years in Manchester.

“He’s taught me a lot,” Hill said. “The guys have been great, been very welcoming.” He said there hadn’t been a lot of talk about a contract until it happened yesterday, and then it sounds as if it came together quickly.

That’s eight defensmen under contract here. Obviously if the NHL ever lifts its lockout, at least one Sound Tigers defenseman is headed to the Island, and a few more are candidates fill jobs up there.

“(Hill) is a guy who came in here when we needed some help, and he’s solidified himself,” Pellerin said. “He’s part of our team full-time now. He’s a hard-working kid with a bright future.”

Casey Cizikas appears good to go, though just how much, we’ll see. The team was practicing mostly special teams today. “He had a good week of practice,” Pellerin said. “It’s a little bit different, game shape. We’ll work him in at the right pace.” Max MacKay didn’t practice today; he’s day-to-day (lower body).

We’ll do the Hershey game off the radio tomorrow night, so be here for the liveblog. Busy weekend thereafter: Saturday, active and retired members of the military can receive a free ticket with their military ID for Military Appreciation Night. The team will wear special sweaters (we’ve only seen the sleeves, and from a distance, but count us intrigued) that’ll be auctioned off during the game. And Sunday is the Teddy Bear Toss, so keep the arm warm.

When Worcester comes in Saturday, it’ll be without the suspended Matt Pelech.

Mike Russo writes about goalie Josh Harding‘s battle with multiple sclerosis. Reminder of what Jordan Sigalet went through to play goal professionally. Hope Harding does well.

Erie let Robbie Ftorek go as coach. His replacement is 1997 Islanders draft pick Kris Knoblauch.

Welcome your Arizona Coyotes, finally?

And RIP, Kings PA announcer David Courtney and, belatedly (with a hat tip to WNHU-FM‘s Rockin’ Richard), Earl “Speedo” Carroll.

There was a cheer near the end of practice today that I think was for Jordan Hill, who, if you missed it last night, had the PTO tag removed: He has signed an AHL deal for the rest of the year. He has done well in his role, and brings a comfort level for and with Scott Pellerin from their two years in Manchester.

“He’s taught me a lot,” Hill said. “The guys have been great, been very welcoming.” He said there hadn’t been a lot of talk about a contract until it happened yesterday, and then it sounds as if it came together quickly.

That’s eight defensmen under contract here. Obviously if the NHL ever lifts its lockout, at least one Sound Tigers defenseman is headed to the Island, and a few more are candidates fill jobs up there.

“(Hill) is a guy who came in here when we needed some help, and he’s solidified himself,” Pellerin said. “He’s part of our team full-time now. He’s a hard-working kid with a bright future.”

Casey Cizikas appears good to go, though just how much, we’ll see. The team was practicing mostly special teams today. “He had a good week of practice,” Pellerin said. “It’s a little bit different, game shape. We’ll work him in at the right pace.” Max MacKay didn’t practice today; he’s day-to-day (lower body).

We’ll do the Hershey game off the radio tomorrow night, so be here for the liveblog. Busy weekend thereafter: Saturday, active and retired members of the military can receive a free ticket with their military ID for Military Appreciation Night. The team will wear special sweaters (we’ve only seen the sleeves, and from a distance, but count us intrigued) that’ll be auctioned off during the game. And Sunday is the Teddy Bear Toss, so keep the arm warm.

When Worcester comes in Saturday, it’ll be without the suspended Matt Pelech.

Mike Russo writes about goalie Josh Harding‘s battle with multiple sclerosis. Reminder of what Jordan Sigalet went through to play goal professionally. Hope Harding does well.

Erie let Robbie Ftorek go as coach. His replacement is 1997 Islanders draft pick Kris Knoblauch.

Welcome your Arizona Coyotes, finally?

And RIP, Kings PA announcer David Courtney and, belatedly (with a hat tip to WNHU-FM‘s Rockin’ Richard), Earl “Speedo” Carroll.