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Manchester Monarchs season preview

Written by: John Logue on 10/09/2004

The 2003-04 season followed a familiar pattern for the Monarchs, with over 90 points in the regular season, and an early playoff exit. Like most other AHL teams, the Monarchs will have a very different look this year due to the NHL lockout. Gone will be top scorers Steve Kelly and Pavel Rosa, and blueline veterans Bryan Muir, Tomas Zizka, Richard Seeley, and Maxim Kuznetsov. The Monarchs will have to rely heavily on the many new faces on the roster this year.

The Monarchs lineup has been depleted over the last two seasons because of the Los Angeles Kings’ unbelievable slew of injuries. The only certainty from the NHL lockout is that the Monarchs will get to hold onto their players during the season.

Goaltenders

Adam Hauser held the starter role for most of last season, finishing with a very stingy 1.94 GAA and .926 save percentage. The 24-year-old will have some stiff competition in net this year from Kings draft day acquisition Mathieu Garon. After being stuck behind Jose Theodore in Montreal, the 26-year-old Garon will be very eager to try earn the starting goalie job with the Monarchs. In the 2002-03 season, his most recent AHL season, Garon posted an impressive 1.77 GAA and a .937 save percentage for the Hamilton Bulldogs. The battle between the pipes will be fierce.

Barry Brust is another newcomer to the Monarchs goalie corps. Brust is big for a goalie at 6'2 and 216 lbs. The 21-year-old WHL product signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Kings over the summer and is looking to make a name for himself after being non-tendered by the Minnesota Wild. Brust finished last season with the Calgary Hitmen while posting a 2.24 GAA and a .917 save percentage.

Defense

Los Angeles Kings top prospects Denis Grebeshkov and Tim Gleason will anchor the Monarchs blueline this year. Grebeshkov had a very good rookie campaign with the Monarchs despite getting injured in the Pacific Division Rookie Tournament prior to the start of last season. The 21-year-old Grebeshkov will see plenty of time on the power play and penalty kill and could lead the Monarchs in ice time this season.

Gleason spent the majority of 2003-04, his rookie year, in the NHL, but did spend 22 regular season games and the playoffs with the Monarchs. The 21-year-old will provide the physical presence Grebeshkov doesn't and his 47 games of NHL experience will be helpful to a young Monarchs team.

Long time Monarch Joe Rullier will one of the more familiar faces this season. Rullier led the team in penalty minutes last season and will once again make forwards’ lives miserable if they cross the Manchester blue line.

Mike Weaver joins the Monarchs from the Atlanta Thrashers organization. He spent last season with the Chicago Wolves, putting up 17 points in 78 games. The Monarchs are hoping the 26-year-old will fill the void created with the departure of Bryan Muir.

Beau Geisler is in his first year of professional hockey after graduating from The University of Minnesota-Duluth. Geisler's goal totals increased each season, finishing his senior year with 9 goals and 25 assists in 39 games. Geisler should see time on Manchester’s second power play unit.

Troy Milam traveled a lot in 2003-04, his rookie season, playing for Manchester and San Antonio of the AHL and Gwinnett of the ECHL. The offensive defenseman with a powerful shot played seven games for the Monarchs last year and is hoping to win the job this year as the team’s sixth defenseman.

Forwards

With the Monarchs top two scorers from last season gone, Noah Clarke will be the team’s top offensive weapon this year. Clarke was an AHL All-Star in his rookie season last year and is primed to have an even better season this year. The 25-year-old spent the offseason training in Los Angeles, primarily working on his strength. Clarke put together a very impressive string of games at the Pacific Division Rookie Tournament and looked to be much more of a complete player.

Petr Kanko joined the Monarchs last year after he finished with Kitchener of the OHL. Kanko is a feisty player who takes pride in getting under the skin of the opposition and putting up points for his team. He posted 68 points in 55 games last season. He made an immediate splash late last season with the Monarchs with 4 points in 6 games. Expect to see the 20-year-old a lot on the penalty kill and power play and quickly become a fan favorite in Manchester.

Greg Hogeboom also joined the Monarchs late last season. He had a very impressive four years at Miami of Ohio increasing his point total each year. Hogeboom was lethal on the power play at Miami scoring 17 of his 24 goals in his junior year with the man advantage. Expect to see him in a top six forward role with the Monarchs.

Dustin Brown hopes to rebound from an injury-plagued rookie year in the NHL with the Monarchs this year. Brown had a very impressive showing at the World Championships and should make an impact in the AHL. Brown is a prototypical NHL forward -- quick, aggressive and a good finisher. He can play in every situation and should see a lot of ice time with the Monarchs.

Scott Barney will start the season on IR with an undisclosed injury. The Monarchs will miss his size, work ethic and tenacity. Barney was up and down between the Kings and Manchester last year. There is a good chance he will spend a lot of time in Los Angeles once the CBA issue is resolved.

Michael Cammalleri is a forward who will play a larger role with the departure of Rosa and Kelly. "Squid" spent half of the season in Los Angeles last year, his second as a pro, and could also be headed West once the CBA is resolved.

David Steckel is another new addition to the Monarchs this season. The former first round pick had an up and down career at Ohio State and is trying to earn an NHL contract. Steckel is more known for his defensive game than his offensive game and will try to hone his game with the Monarchs this season.

Matt Ryan will be a new addition at center this year. A former teammate of Dustin Brown, Ryan signed a three year free agent contract with the Kings in August. He has the talent to be a top six forward but will likely end up anchoring an energy third or fourth line.

The Monarchs scored a major coup nabbing fan favorite Tom Kostopoulos from the Penguins organization. Kostopoulos was second on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in points last season. Better known for his heart and his tenacity than skating, Kostopoulos will be a welcome addition to the Monarchs.

Brad “Shooter” Smyth joins the Monarchs for his second stint in the Kings organization. He was traded to the Rangers back in 1997 and since has spent time with several organizations and most recently in the Finnish Elite League. Smyth has a reputation as one of the best finishers in the AHL. His footwork, speed and agility all improved with his stint in Europe.

Yanick Lehoux has had a very impressive training camp and looks like he’s ready to turn the corner.

Veteran Monarchs Ryan Flinn, Chris Schmidt, George Parros, Dan Welch and Jeff Giuliano will all play varying roles with the team this season.

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