Duck Calls

Jonathan Hedstrom, Mighty Ducks prospect playing with Cincinnati is gone for at least 7-10 days if not longer with an eye injury. On November 6th, in the Cinncinnati Mighty Ducks game against San Antonio, Hedstrom was struck in the eye by Rampage player Rocky Thompson. Although the Ducks say he will be gone for 7-10 days, Hedstrom has told Swedish newspapers that the injury is much more severe. He said that he can’t even see out of the eye and that doctors say it will be several weeks before the extent of the injury can be fully known. Hedstrom fears the injury may end his career and also expressed disappointment that the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks haven’t called him since the injury. His former team, Lulea has been in contact with Hedstrom. Hedstrom had 6 goals and 3 assists for 9 points, at the time of his injury, after playing in 8 games.

Samuel Pahlsson, another Mighty Ducks prospect playing with Cincinnati has been suspended indefinitely for leaving the team without permission. Pahlsson apparently left the team, and went to South California, Tuesday after the November 2nd loss to the Syracuse Crunch, in which Pahlsson had an assist. Pahlsson was apparently unhappy playing in the minors after playing most of the last two seasons in the NHL and he was in contact with Chuck Fletcher, Anaheim’s director of hockey operations, before returning to Sweden. He was being sued by the Mighty Ducks for breach of contract, but garnered a lot of attention by Swedish teams. However, Swedish website Sportal.se has reported that Pahlsson has changed his mind, apologized to the team and returned to the United States.

No official word has been said by the Anaheim or Cincinnati on Pahlsson’s return. Pahlsson has 1 goal and 5 assists for 6 points during 7 games with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. Backup goaltender Martin Gerber left the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, but for a very different reason then Pahlsson’s ordeal. Gerber’s mother is suffering from cancer and Gerber returned to Switzerland to spend time with her. The team was unaware of this situation until Gerber approached assistant coach Lorne Henning during the end of October. The Ducks quickly made arrangements for Gerber to leave, calling up J.F. Damphousse from Cincinnati to fill in. Gerber was expected to return to the Ducks on November the 12th. In 4 appearances, Gerber is 1-1-1 with a 2.53 GAA and a .890 Save %. In 4 appearances with Cincinnati, JF Damphousse has a 2-2-0 record with a 3.24 GAA and a .899 Save %. Damphousse did not play when he was filling in for Gerber.

Cincinnati Mighty Ducks defenseman Jan Tabacek is out indefinitely with a seperated shoulder. Tabacek left the October 25th 3-3 tie against Milwaukee in the second period and did not return. Tabacek has yet to register a point during 3 games played with the Ducks.

Cam Severson, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks left-winger, was named the Fifth Third Mighty Ducks Player of the Month for October. Severson had 4 goals and 1 assist for 5 points along with a club leading +4 in six games. Cory Pecker, signed as an unrestricted free agent this off-season, recorded his first career professional goal in a 4-3 loss to the San Antonio Rampage on November 7th.

Igor Pohanka, acquired in the big trade with New Jersey, has been named as a replacement for an injured player in the Hershey Cup CHL All-Star Series. Pohanka leads his team in scoring with 26 points in 20 games.

P.A. Parenteau, was named QMJHL offensive player of the month after 15 goals and 23 assists for 38 points in 20 games with a +10 plus/minus. He is currently tied for QMJHL lead in scoring