Featured Article
AHL - Aeros Hockey League?
Written by: Brian Roe on 11/13/2002 
The Aeros, who were 11-1-1 with 23 points at press time, are atop the American Hockey league just as the Minnesota Wild is currently reigning in the National Hockey League.
Jean-Guy Trudel is leading the way for Houston with 16 points in 13 games. Cory Larose (14 points), Kyle Wanvig (12 points), Hnat Domenichelli (11 points), Curtis Murphy (10 points) and Rickard Wallin (10 points) join Trudel in the double-digit category.
An interesting factor in the Aeros early success is that the team has not officially chosen a number one goalie. A two-man rotation of goalies Derek Gustafson and Dieter Kochan has been very successful for Houston so far this season.
Gustafson leads the league in wins (six) and is fifth in goals against average (2.32). In turn, teammate Dieter Kochan is second in the league wins (five) and thirteenth in goals against average (2.41). There has been no sign of the goaltending carrousel likely won’t be coming to an end any time soon due to the fact that the Aeros lead the AHL with 23 points.
This team is solid up and down their roster. Twenty different players have registered a point for the Houston Aeros. Through the first 13 games, Houston has given up only 31 goals while scoring 49 of their own. The team ranks second in goals per game, third in shots per game, third in goals allowed and fifth on the power play.
With those kinds of stats it’s no wonder the league will be renamed after Houston’s own … the Aeros Hockey League.
Gaborik Shines
The 2000 first round draft choice for the Minnesota Wild is starting to separate himself from others in the NHL. Gaborik leads the NHL in goals right now with 11 and is ranked sixth in the league in overall points. Amazingly, Marian is doing this at the tender age of 20.
Zyuzin Signs with Wild Andrei Zyuzin was claimed off waivers from the New Jersey Devils last week. Zyuzin, who has played with San Jose, Tampa Bay and New Jersey, is expected to add depth to the Wild defensive corps. Zyuzin is a former 2nd round pick for the San Jose Sharks.
Bouchard Nets First NHL goal
First round draft choice, PM Bouchard, scored his first NHL goal earlier this week in a game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Bouchard, who deflected a Cliff Ronning shot to net his first career goal, has played eight games with the Wild this season.
Copyright 2002 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
HF Quick Navigation
