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Preview of the Flames in Lowell
Written by: Aaron Vickers on 10/17/2004 
Lock Monsters on Fire - A Look at the Calgary Flames in Lowell
As the puck gets ready to drop on the seventh American Hockey League season in Lowell, excitement is brewing a little north and a little west of the Massachusetts City. The city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada will be watching with an intense eye as the Lowell Lock Monsters open their season on Saturday, October 17th.The Lock Monsters are of course the closest that Calgary fans have to rooting for their Flames, given the NHL lockout. With ten roster spots reserved for the club, the organization’s top professional youngsters will be south of the border honing their skills in what is arguably the best professional league operating right now.
With all but a few final cuts made, the Calgary Flames edition of the Lowell Lock Monsters seem all but set, but is not without a little ambiguity.
The Lock Monsters can apply to the American Hockey League for what is referred to as an expansion, which would allow the club to carry 25 skaters, as opposed to the regular roster limits. It is unclear how such a grant would effect the Calgary Flames, as they are virtually guaranteed nine skaters and one goalie. It remains undecided that should the organization be approved for an expanded roster, due it the nature of the dual affiliation, that the Calgary Flames would be entitled to any of the additional roster spots created.
It is also interesting to note the contract signed by Calgary Flame restricted free agent Mike Commodore. Commodore was signed by the Lowell Lock Monsters to an AHL contract, and in the process avoided having to clear waivers. Again, it is unclear at this time whether or not the Commodore contract will be treated as a signing by the Lowell organization, or if Commodore will have to count as one of nine skaters that the Calgary Flames have assigned for the Lock Monsters.
Joining Commodore on the club is another Calgary Flame skater, Matthew Lombardi. Lombardi spent 79 games with the Calgary Flames last season, registering 16 goals and 29 points. Lombardi also took part in Calgary's Stanley Cup bid, but was knocked out of the playoffs at the hands, or elbow, of Derian Hatcher and the Detroit Red Wings. Lombardi suffered a concussion as a result of the elbow from Hatcher, who was quickly suspended. Lingering effects of the concussion are still present in Lombardi, who, while still announced as being on the Lock Monsters roster, is currently on the injured reserve list.
Just coming off the injured reserve list in time for the start of the regular season is prospect Lynn Loyns, who suited up for 14 games with the Flames during the 2003-04 season. There were a couple of questions surrounding Loyns this offseason, who became an unrestricted free agent when the Calgary Flames failed to qualify the youngster, due mainly in part to a heart condition that the Naicam, Saskatchewan native had corrected in offseason surgery. After signing a new contract, Loyns was assigned to Lowell, a city and an organization he is already familiar with. Loyns, who was acquired from the San Jose Sharks midway through the season, was assigned to Lowell and skated for 18 games, registering 12 points.
Also rejoining the Lock Monsters is Craig MacDonald. MacDonald, who ironically enough used to be a part of the Carolina Hurricanes organization, spent 27 games in Lowell during the 2002-03 season, registering seven goals and 27 points. The previous season, the left-winger from Antigonish, Nova Scotia registered 41 points in 64 games for the Lock Monsters. It appears as though MacDonald will start the season on a line with two fellow Flame prospects, one of which being freshly signed Carsen Germyn.
Germyn, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent on July 6, 2004 has no prior history with the Calgary Flames, but spent time with Brent Sutter's Red Deer Rebels from 2001 to 2003. Certainly the endorsement from Brent helped Germyn when Darryl Sutter decided to ink the Western Hockey League graduate. As much as that may have helped Germyn, his season with the Norfolk Admirals last year may have been enough motivation for the Calgary Flames organization to ink the 22-year-old. Germyn, in his first professional season, skated in 77 games, recording 11 goals and 27 points. Germyn, who plays a chippy style of game, also added 104 minutes in penalties.
Rounding out what may be considered as the grind-line for Lowell will be another former Brent Sutter prodigy and Red Deer Rebel in Justin Taylor. The Edmonton, Alberta native tallied 16 goals and 38 points in 55 games last year for the Rebels, third in team scoring, who finished second in the WHL's Central Division. Taylor, who is making his professional hockey debut this season after going undrafted through junior, stands at an imposing 6'4 and over 200 lbs. Adjusting physically to the American Hockey League will be made easier because of his large stature.
Joining his fellow Flames and defense partner Mike Commodore during his time spent with the Calgary Flames during the 2004 players is Brennan Evans. Evans, who was called up to the Calgary Flames during their postseason run due to a plethora of injuries to the Calgary defense, saw limited action while suiting up for two games. Undoubtedly the experience for Evans was surreal, and something that will better the defenseman this season. Evans, like a few of his Calgary teammates, is returning to the Lowell Lock Monsters after a successful season spent with them last year. Evans, primarily a stay-at-home defenseman, played 64 games for Lowell last season, which was his first professional season after spending parts of five seasons in the Western Hockey League.
A possible defensive partner for Evans is the younger of two brothers, Richie Regehr. Regehr, the younger brother of Calgary Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr, signed with the Calgary Flames this past offseason, leaving his junior career behind, which saw the Rosthern, Saskatchewan native skate in parts of six seasons with the Kelowna Rockets and Portland Winter Hawks. Regehr, known more primarily for his offense, as opposed to the stern defense of his brother, lead the Lowell Lock Monsters in preseason scoring with two goals and two assists in three games, undoubtedly earning himself a spot with the club.
Should Mike Commodore be considered a Lowell signing, as opposed to taking one of nine skater positions of the Calgary Flames, the biggest benefactor of the decision could be former Owen Sound Attack defenseman Mark Giordano. Giordano, who was signed alongside the likes of Regehr and Germyn, had a steady but unspectacular camp with Lowell, but could still see himself reassigned to Las Vegas of the ECHL.
Arguably Calgary's greatest contribution to the Lowell Lock Monsters will come in the form of former 2001 NHL Entry Draft first round selection Chuck Kobasew. Kobasew, selected 14th overall in his draft year, spent all last season with the Calgary Flames, skating in 70 games for the Western Conference Champions, registering 17 points. Kobasew spent some time with the Saint John Flames, Calgary's AHL affiliate before they suspended operations, and will be counted on to provide both leadership and offensive flair for the Lock Monsters. Kobasew, who is entering his third professional season, registered totals of 21 goals and 33 points in 48 games in his last stint in the American Hockey League.
With the dual affiliation between the Lowell Lock Monsters, Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes, one spot for a goaltender is reserved for each of the National Hockey League clubs. The Carolina Hurricanes have contributed former Red Deer Rebel and WHL Goaltender of the Year Cam Ward. The Calgary Flames have submitted their own top goaltending prospect, Brent Krahn, for the position. Krahn, who spent last season as a part of four different organizations, will finally have some stability after spending time with the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL), San Antonio Rampage (AHL), Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL) and the Calgary Flames (NHL). With such a talented duo in Krahn-Ward, it will be interesting to see how much time between the pipes the Winkler, Manitoba native gets in his second professional season.
Not Making the Cut
With Brent Krahn being named the Calgary Flames contribution to the goaltending duties of the Lowell Lock Monsters, freshly signed Sebastien Centomo was assigned to the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL. Centomo, who spent parts of the last three seasons with the St. John's Maple Leafs of the AHL, was brought in to provide competition for Brent Krahn, but inevitably was reassigned to the affiliate.Also en route to the ECHL is goaltender Davis Parley, who was signed as a free agent by the organization in 2003. Instead of being optioned to Las Vegas, however, Parley is off to tend the goal for the Texas Wildcatters, the team in which he played 52 games for last season, registering an 18-29-3 record with a 3.89 GAA and .905 save percentage.
Patrik Nilson, brother of Calgary Flame Marcus Nilson, was reassigned to Las Vegas as part of the first round of cuts from the Lowell Lock Monsters. Nilson was signed after a solid season in the Central Hockey League, with the signing being announced alongside the signings of Richie Regehr, Mark Giordano Carsen Germyn, Justin Taylor and Dustin Johner, who was also assigned to Las Vegas.
Red Deer, Alberta native Shaun Sutter has been assigned to Fresno of the ECHL. Sutter, who spent last season with Florence Pride of the ECHL, tallied 17 goals and 44 points in 69 games.
Left-winger Jason Spence, who spent 31 games with the San Antonio Rampage last season registering 5 points, was assigned to Calgary's ECHL affiliate, the Las Vegas Wranglers.
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