Fort Erie to keep Falcons name!

 In Fort Erie, it's like they barely knew the Riverhawks and the 24s, and there is a reason for that.  The almost name change of the Falcons hockey club will not actually take place thanks to a last minute agreement made to keep the name in place.  

"We went down to the wire but after examining the cost to change the name in terms of brand awareness, we went back to the school and worked out an agreement to keep the Falcons name.  We'll be changing our colours a bit to ensure that there is a distinct difference moving forward, but we've kept the name," said GM Young earlier today.  

In return for keeping the name, the hockey club agreed to change the team colours from a navy, light blue with white trim and will now sport navy, gold and the white trim.  

The Falcons will also adopt a new primary logo on their jerseys for the navy home and white aways, which is pictured below.  

The team will also introduce a gold third jersey that will sport their old logo, with some gold added to it as pictured below.  

"Our new look is a nice and fresh, clean looking logo with the primary focus being a determined Falcon.  We like the simplicity of it and know it will look fantastic on our navy and white jerseys," quipped Young in regards to the new look.  

As much as the team liked the new simple look, they didn't want to move forward without paying homage to their old look.  In creating the third jersey, a gold jersey sporting the old logo, the team feels like they've done that.  

"If you look at us across our time since moving to Fort Erie in the CCHL, we're kind of the gold standard for franchises if you look at our regular season record.  That's why we've gone with the gold in our colour scheme.  While we haven't won a Kehler Cup yet, maybe adopting the gold will allow us to capture that cup we are missing, but in terms fo the regular season, our record for success is hard to beat.  We just need to carry that over to the playoffs," said Young.  

In addition to the new jerseys, the team also acquired a pair of goaltenders this week in Ukka Pekka-Luukkonen and Laurent Brossoit.  

"We've got three guys right now that I feel are number one goalies in the league, and Brossoit who could be rated strongly as well, perhaps the best backup in the CCHL.  Any time you have an opportunity to add depth in goal, you do it.  While Ilya (Sorokin) is far from old, we feel we've acquired our true goalie of the future in UPL and are happy to have him return to the team that originally drafted him."  

The handsome GM continued by saying the team could look at moving Varlamov once the new disk comes out, commenting that he will have outstanding ratings and he expects a few teams should be very interested in the veteran goaltender.  

There is never a dull moment in Fort Erie and with free agency quickly approaching, it will come as no surprise should the team find itself aggressive there as well.  

"There are some players we are interested in should they hit free agency.  Nicky (newly acquired Nick Foligno) will be our UFA resign.  We love his leadership, defensive play, physicality and he can score too.  I wouldn't even be shocked if he's wearing a letter for us next year," concluded Young.  

It'll be an exciting month in Fort Erie so stay tuned to see what happens as the franchise continues to try to capture that elusive Kehler Cup.  

Springfield Isotopes: A Season of Triumph, Transition, and Tenacity

 The 2023-24 season will forever be etched in the lore of the Springfield Isotopes as a testament to the team's resilience, skill, and unwavering spirit. The Topes embarked on a remarkable journey that saw them reach their first-ever conference final, captivating audiences with their determination and skill.

Leading the charge was Jeremy Swayman, whose exceptional goaltending talents were on full display throughout the season. Swayman's heroics between the pipes often kept the Isotopes in games, earning him the admiration of fans and opponents alike. His stellar play was a driving force behind the team's historic playoff run and a testament to his status as a cornerstone of the franchise.

On the offensive front, Roope Hintz was a standout performer, showcasing his scoring prowess with an impressive 27 points in just 20 games. Hintz's ability to find the back of the net and create scoring opportunities was instrumental in the Isotopes' success, making him a key player to watch in future seasons.

Jeff Skinner and Seider also made significant contributions to the team's success, with Skinner tallying 23 points and Seider adding 22 points to their impressive totals. Their offensive firepower added depth to the Isotopes' lineup and kept opposing teams on their toes throughout the season.

Looking ahead, the Isotopes face a period of transition, as multiple stars such as Courture, Carlson, and Malkin will not be returning next year. These departures signal significant changes for the team, as they look to rebuild and redefine their roster for future success.

As the Isotopes reflect on their season of triumph, transition, and tenacity, they can take pride in their achievements and look forward to a bright future ahead. With a solid foundation of talent and a relentless drive to succeed, the Springfield Isotopes are poised to continue their ascent and bring glory to their storied franchise.