Howard Saffan … said there’s nothing interim about Len DiCostanzo’s new title. “We just felt (Leni) deserved the opportunity,” Saffan said. “We promoted (Leni) from Long Island, and we’re looking forward to him being part of the Sound Tigers family for a long time.” —1/16/10
Eight years is a long time indeed. But now Leni DiCostanzo has been promoted back to the Island. He’ll be taking an open spot on Scott Boggs’ staff, rejoining a number of former Sound Tigers staffers in the room. It’s pretty awesome for a guy who has spent more time in that Bridgeport room than pretty much anybody.
The new guys are up on the Bridgeport site: Taking the equipment spot is Jason McGrath, a longtime equipment guy in Albany, New Jersey and Charlotte. The new trainer is Matt Hunter, who was with Manchester (ECHL).
Meanwhile, notes from Staycation II: Four Minutes for Attempted Fun*:
There are a whole lotta bodies at Islanders camp, including a few holdovers from rookie camp and almost (almost) all the Sound Tigers’ contracts. There are quite a few other new faces up there. (I am pretty sure Gerry Cantlon mentioned Ken Gernander scouting for the Islanders earlier.)
Josh Ho-Sang conceded to Arthur Staple that he played with a broken hand much of last year, along with much of the usual interesting Josh Ho-Sang stuff. (Then he didn’t skate today.) Also fascinating: Robin Lehner with a first-person piece in the Athletic, talking about addiction and bipolar disorder.
Patrick Williams caught this Andre Benoit story, which doesn’t play well with Google Translate but which says he’s working out at home (and helping out coaching the girls), hoping for a contract.
Appears Westport’s Michael Paliotta has a deal with Stockton: He’s on Calgary’s training-camp roster. The Penguins say Kevin Czuczman will miss the start of the season.
No longer a perennial at Islanders rookie camp, Connor Graham signed with the Kansas City Mavericks.
Syracuse and Tampa Bay extended their affiliation through 2023.
Brian Lockhart on the city’s desire to buy the dirt parking lots from the housing authority.
And this might be the best tweet ever.
*-We actually had an awesome time today at Audubon Greenwich for their annual Fall Festival and Hawk Watch. The raptor shows were phenomenal, photography exhibit was neat, baby goats were baby goats. There’s a second day on Sunday.