Around the League: In Search of Hockey News

(Credit: Texas Stars)
There is a trickle of hockey news coming along at this point, so I've finally got enough to justify a post. Let's take a look at what's going on out there.

• The Allen Americans announced yesterday that they will be affiliated with the Lake Erie Monsters for the 2011-12 season. There is no need for panic on the Texas Stars side of things with this news. It is common for AA teams, like CHL teams, to have multiple AAA affiliates. Often as part of AA contracts, players are promised tryouts with AAA teams. It may have been the case with the stacked roster in Texas that fewer tryout spots were available here in Austin, so a secondary affiliation was needed. [Lake Erie Monsters]


• In a few weeks, the Stars went from having both Ludwig twins to neither. I had not previously blogged on it, but Trevor Ludwig signed a tryout deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets several weeks ago. CBJ has six defensemen under contract at the NHL level, so he could crack the lineup. If not, he's a likely player in Springfield. [@TReedDispatch]


• Tyler Ludwig was picked up by the Allen Americans of the CHL yesterday. Tyler cited ties to coach Mullins as a strong reason for the signing. He will join the Washington Capitals in training camp. [Pegasus News]


• Forward Cody Chupp signed a deal a while back with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL and will be with the WBS Penguins in training camp in September. [Citizen's Voice]


• The Stars have started a Facebook contest to gain 1,800 fans for the Texas Stars page by the start of the regular season. If so, the Stars will be giving away one free ticket to every fan of the page. [TexasStarsHockey.com]


• Still left unsigned from last year's club are Brent Krahn and Scott McCulloch. Injury issues plagued them both in their time in Texas. My prediction is that Krahn hangs up the skates this season and moves to the press box for a junior/minor team. Given McCulloch's age, I don't know that he will completely call it a career, but there has been no indication yet of his pending signing at any level.


• As we've previously discussed, the Dallas system is currently without a 5th goalie. This would be a problem if any one of their current tenders went down with an injury. The Goalie Guild indicated that Jimmy Spratt, signed to Idaho currently, could be a possibility.