Official: Chicago Express Hockey Thread

[icehogfan08]

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[icehogfan08]

Express Ink Defenseman Lutz

Hoffman Estates, IL – The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL, announce the signing of defenseman Nathan Lutz; per team policy, the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.

The name Nathan Lutz is a familiar name for area hockey fans, as Lutz played for the Rockford Icehogs for four seasons, including the 2006-07 season in which Lutz was the captain of the Icehogs who won the UHL championship, under the direction of now Express Head Coach Steve Martinson.

This past season, Lutz played for the Mississippi RiverKings of the Central Hockey League, where he finished fifth among all CHL defensemen in scoring with 48 points (10 goals, 38 assists) in only 59 games played.

For his career, Lutz has played in 549 professional regular season games, scoring 266 points (76 goals, 190 assists) and also has seen action in 54 postseason games scoring 26 points (7 goals, 19 assists).

Coach Steve Martinson expects big things from Lutz. “We expect Nathan to be a leader both on and off the ice for the Express Organization. He is the perfect defenseman to build a team around, as he can play in all situations, even strength, power play, penalty kill, and also plays with an edge.”

Chicago Express Sign First Two Forwards

Hoffman Estates, IL – The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL, and affliate of the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets and American Hockey League’s Springfield Falcons announce the signings of forwards Pierre-Luc Faubert and Tyler Johnson; per team policy, the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.

Pierre-Luc Faubert returns to the ECHL after spending the last two seasons in Europe and Canada. Faubert spent two seasons (2007-08 & 2008-09) with Coach Steve Martinson with the Elmira Jackals where he accumulated 133 points (55 goals, 78 assists) in 142 regular season games. Even more impressive than Faubert’s regular season ECHL point totals were his playoff stats, where he scored 17 points (10 goals, 7 assists) in 17 ECHL Kelly Cup playoff games. Faubert has also played in 4 career American Hockey League games.

“Pierre-Luc Faubert will be a go to guy for the Express. He is a good defensive forward who also has a great knack for putting the puck in the net. And he steps his game up to another level when the playos begin,” stated Coach Steve Martinson.

Tyler Johnson will be embarking on his rst professional season after a stellar four year career at college powerhouse Colorado College. During his senior year, Johnson lead Colorado College in goals (20), and nished fourth on the team in scoring with 37 points (20 goals, 17 assists). During his college career, Johnson totaled 82 points (45 goals, 37 assists) in 154 career games.

Express Sign Power Forward

Hoffman Estates, IL – The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL, and affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets and American Hockey League’s Springfield Falcons announce the signing of forward Chaz Johnson per team policy, the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.

Johnson has played for coach Steve Martinson during five different seasons (2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, & 2009-10) during his time with the Rockford IceHogs and Elmira Jackals. This includes winning the UHL Championship during the 2006-07 season with the IceHogs.

This past season, Johnson played for the Ontario Reign where he scored 36 points (22 goals, 14 assists) in 61 games along with accumulating 127 penalty minutes. Johnson’s 22 goals were tops among all Reign players for the 2010-11 season. Chaz also played 4 games with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League during the 2010-11 season.

For his career, Johnson has played in 365 professional regular season games, scoring 197 points (100 goals, 97 assists) and amassing 979 penalty minutes in those games. Of his 365 professional games, 76 of those games have been played in the American Hockey League.

 

[Jntg4]

Kind of odd that I like an affiliate of a division rival, but hate the affiliate of a non-division opponent... I wonder if the Wolves can stop a beach ball or if they are just like Luo.

 

[JSpiwak35]

I may go check out a game or two

 

[GaelicSoxFan]

Probably. Hoffmann Estates isn't that much further away from me than Rosemont.

 

[Captain Iago]

Not likely. Over an hour for me. I'll go see the Wolves if I want a cheap hockey date with the wife.

 

[icehogfan08]

Look at them former Icehogs

 

[icehogfan08]

Burrows, Embach, Ostrow Join Express

Hoffman Estates, IL – The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, announced today that D Josh Burrows, F Mike Embach, and RW Kyle Ostrow have been added to the roster.

Burrows, 23, joins the Express after making his ECHL debut with the Bakersfield Condors at the end of last season. With Bakersfield, Burrows tallied one goal in seven regular season games, and added a goal and an assist in 3 post-season performances. The Prairie Grove, IL, native skated four seasons with the University of Vermont (NCAA), where he tallied 17 goals and 44 points in 144 games.

Another new face with Illinois ties is forward Mike Embach. Hailing from Orland Park, IL, he began his professional career with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, after completing his tenure with Ferris State University (NCAA). The 23-year old notched 58 points on 27 goals and 31 assists in 132 games during his collegiate career. Embach also appeared with the Chicago Steel of the USHL from 2005-2007, scoring 33 points in 81 games.

Ostrow, 23, brings leadership and championship experience to the Express. He appeared in five games with the AHL’s Portland Pirates at the end of last season, after finishing his time with the University of Denver Pioneers (NCAA). While at Denver, the Calgary, AB, native served as an Alternate Captain in 2009-10, and was the team Captain last season. He skated in 158 games with the Pioneers, scoring 105 points on 50 goals and 55 assists. Ostrow also won the WCHA Championship with the University of Denver in 2007-08.

“All three players add professional experience to the Express,” said Head Coach Steve Martinson. “Ostrow had a very consistent career at the University of Denver, and he brings a lot of versatility to our lineup. We have also been able to add some very good, homegrown talent in Burrows and Embach.”

 

[nickofypres]

I'm going to see them in Toledo when they come to town. I'm rooting for the Walleye because they're the ECHL affiliate of the Blackhawks.

 

[icehogfan08]

Chicago Express Announce

$1 Hot Dog and $1 Beer Promotion for their 11 Friday home games.

 

[icehogfan08]

Hoffman Estates, IL - The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, announced today that single game tickets for the 2011-2012 season at the Sears Centre Arena, will go on-sale on Tuesday, September 6 at 10 a.m.

Tickets start at $9 for adults and $7 for kids aged 2-12 and seniors ages 65 and older. Get yours at Chicago Express, by calling 1-888-SEARS-TIX, or stop by the Sears Centre Arena box office between 10 am and 5:30 pm Monday through Friday, or 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday

The Chicago Express are gearing up for their inaugural home game, on Saturday, October 22 against North Division foe, the Kalamazoo Wings. This gives Express fans their first chance to see the team live at the Sears Centre Arena, and is sure to be a memorable event. Their inaugural season officially begins on the road, on October 15, in Toledo.

All Friday night games during the 2011-12 season feature the $1 Hot Dogs and $1 Beers promotion. There are 11 Friday night games on the schedule, eight of which are against North Division rivals. To view the entire schedule, click here.

Chicago Express Family 4 Packs are available at every home game. Family 4 Packs include four tickets to the game, four hot dogs, and four sodas, all for $49, a savings of over $20! There are a limited number of Family 4 Packs available per game, so be sure to secure yours as soon as single game tickets go on sale. The full promotional schedule will be released soon.

Mini-plans, full season ticket plans, and groups are available, and offer increased discounts off the single game ticket price. Ticket plans are customizable to fit all types of schedules and needs.

Opening Night for the inaugural season is just 66 days away. Season tickets, mini plans, and group tickets for the upcoming 2011-2012 season are on-sale now. For more information about tickets, contact the Chicago Express office at 224-220-1333 or visit
Chicago Express.

Single Game Tickets available September 6th

 

[Captain Iago]

$1 Hot Dog and $1 Beer Promotion for their 11 Friday home games.

:thinking:

 

[icehogfan08]

Hoffman Estates, IL – The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, announced today that LW Blair Riley, D Trent Palm, and F Travis Vermeulen have been added to the roster.

Riley, 25, spent the bulk of last season with the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL) where he scored 20 goals, good enough for second on the Wranglers, and added 20 assists for 40 points. He also racked up 114 PIM in 59 games with the Wranglers. He played five playoff games with Las Vegas, scoring 4 goals and 5 points. The 6-0, 209 pound forward earned playing time with both the San Antonio Rampage and the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL last season, scoring a goal and adding two assists in 12 combined games with the two clubs.

From Kamloops, BC, he played four seasons at Ferris State University, where he amassed 87 points on 42 goals and 45 assists in 147 games. His best season came in 2009-10, when he led the Bulldogs in goals (18) and points (38) while finishing second in PIM (58) and third in assists (20). Before attending Ferris State, he skated three seasons in the BCHL, scoring 210 points (104g, 106a) in 180 games.

Palm, 23, finished his career at University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) with a National Championship last season. He played in 123 games at Minnesota-Duluth, recording 20 points (3g, 17a) and 168 PIM. Along with the national title last season, he also won a WCHA Championship in 2008-09. The Edina, MN, native played two seasons with the U.S. National Team from 2004-06, scoring 13 goals and 33 points in 122 games over the two seasons. He finished second on his team with 102 PIM in 2004-05, and won a gold medal at the U18 World Junior Championships in 2005-06.

Vermeulen, 24, will get his first taste of North American professional action after skating in the Norwegian league in 2010-11. The Centerville, MN, forward picked up 34 points (17g, 17a) in 41 games in Norway last year. Before turning pro, he played four seasons at St. Lawrence University (NCAA), where he was named Best Defensive Forward and a Third Team All-Star for the ECAC in 2009-10, and was named to the All-Academic Team in 2008-09. Vermeulen scored 84 points (35g, 49a) in 147 games for St. Lawrence. Prior to his college days, Vermeulen appeared in 59 games with the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) in 2005-06, notching 9 goals and 15 assists for 24 points.

“We have some of the best set-up guys in the league. I expect Riley to be one of the league-leaders in goal-scoring, while being a nasty guy to play against,” said Head Coach Steve Martinson. “Palm came through the U.S. National Program. He had a few injuries in college, but came highly recommended. He was also a National Champion last season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Vermeulen had a great senior year at St. Lawrence University. He had big college numbers, and is an outstanding all-around player and penalty killer. He should be a fan favorite.”

Express sign 3 more

 

[icehogfan08]

Express Welcome Campbell, Freeman, Marvin

Hoffman Estates, IL – The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, announced today that D Darcy Campbell, RW Scott Freeman, and C Aaron Marvin have been signed by the club.

Campbell, 27, led the Central Hockey League (CHL) in scoring by a defenseman with 62 points in 60 games for the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees last season. The 6’1″, 179 pound defenseman was named to the All-CHL team for his efforts. Campbell spent the 2009-10 season in Europe, scoring 11 points in 33 games in the Finish league (SM-liiga), and 1 assist in 12 games in the Czech league. Hailing from Airdrie, Alberta, Campbell played two seasons exclusively in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played 74 games with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2008-09, scoring 15 points (7g, 8a). He split 2007-08 between Lake Erie and the Syracuse Crunch, scoring 7 points in 36 games.

Campbell skated in one NHL game with the Columbus Blue Jackets after completing his third season at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks. While at Alaska, Campbell scored 50 points (11g, 39a) in 114 games spanning across three seasons. His best season came in 2006-07, when he had 24 points in 39 games.

Freeman, 23, got his first taste of professional action at the end of last season with the Victoria Salmon Kings (ECHL). The Whitby, Ontario, native played six games with Victoria, scoring two goals and adding three assists for five points. Freeman played four seasons with Clarkson University from 2007-11, putting up 88 points on 28 goals and 60 assists.

Marvin, 23, completed a four-year career with St. Cloud State University (NCAA) last season. The 6-2, 192 pound center played in 154 games during his collegiate career, scoring 27 goals and 44 assists for 71 points. Marvin served as the team’s captain during his senior season, and was named to the All-Academic Team three times. The Warroad, Minnesota, native was drafted by the Calgary Flames (NHL) in 2006 (#89 overall), and appeared in three games with the Abbortsford Heat of the AHL last season as well.

“Darcy led the CHL in scoring by a defenseman, while also leading his team in plus/minus,” said Head Coach Steve Martinson. “He also brings a ton of experience to the team. Aaron Marvin is an excellent two-way forward, and I always like to have a big, strong centerman. Scott Freeman proved he could be a front line player in the ECHL with five points in six games. His stats don’t tell the whole story, as he is also a tremendous forechecker.”

 

[icehogfan08]

Express announce pa announcer

hoffman estates, il – the chicago express, proud member of the echl and proud affiliate of the nhl’s columbus blue jackets, announced today that chris toltzman has been named the public address announcer for the chicago express.

Toltzman brings over 11 years of experience as a hockey pa announcer to the express, as he served in the same role with the rockford icehogs from 1999-2010. His tenure included rockford’s uhl championship in 2007, a team that also featured current express coach steve martinson and players chaz johnson and nathan lutz. Toltzman also produced and directed a behind-the-scenes documentary called, “roadhogs: The other half of the season” that followed coach martinson and his team on the road.

Fans will be able to interact with toltzman during the games via twitter and facebook. “i’ve always regarded myself not so much as an announcer, but instead as a fan with a microphone,” said toltzman. “i’m going to try something new this season with the express. I want fans to be able to make song requests and comment on the game.” to that end, fans can tweet at toltzman using @toltz, or add him as a friend on facebook, to make their opinions known during the games.

Toltzman is also entering his eighth season as the pa announcer of northern illinois university huskies football.

 

[icehogfan08]

Hoffman Estates, IL – The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, announced today that LW Tim Spencer has been added to the Express roster.

Spencer, 25, brings four years of pro hockey experience to the Express. He split the 2010-11 season between the Elmira Jackals and Florida Everblades (both of the ECHL), and also played 15 games with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL. He played 35 games among those three squads, racking up 124 PIM. The Carnduff, Saskatchewan, native’s professional career includes 210 games, 691 PIM, and 30 points. In 2009-10, he led the Binghamton Senators in PIM with 141 in 35 games, and 2008-09 his 196 PIM in 51 games paced the ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers.

The 6-4, 245 pound forward played two seasons in the QMJHL, recording 290 PIM in 131 games. Spencer led the Moncton Wildcats in PIM with 140 in 2005-06, and finished second on the St. John’s Fog Devils with 141 in 2006-07.

“At 6-4, 245, Tim is a very imposing player,” said Head Coach Steve Martinson. “He’s also great in the locker room. He’s a very tough player to play against.”

Looks like they have their enforcer

 

[icehogfan08]

Hoffman Estates, IL – The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, announced today that D Drew Paris has been added to the Express roster.

Paris, 23, is entering his third professional season which has included ECHL stops in Elmira, Gwinnett, and Florida. He began last season with the Gwinnett Gladiators, scoring 12 points in 39 games before being moved to Elmira. In 30 games with the Jackals, Paris posted 9 points (4g, 5a) and 21 penalty minutes. He also appeared in one game with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.

During his rookie campaign in 2009-10, the Pointe-Claire, Quebec, native registered 12 goals and 33 assists for 45 points with the Gladiators, ranking him third in scoring among ECHL defensemen. He appeared in the ECHL All-Star Classic that season, and was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team. Paris also skated in two games with the Marlies, scoring a goal and adding two assists for three points. He made his professional debut playing nine games between the Rochester Americans (AHL) and the Florida Everblades (ECHL) after completing his junior career in 2008-09.

Before turning pro, the 6-4, 203 pound defenseman played five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In 314 games, he had 62 goals and 132 assists for 194 points. In 2007-2008, Paris tied for the league lead in goals by a defenseman (22), and was fourth in the league in points by a defenseman (55).

“Drew is an All-Star, he’s got a big shot,” said Steve Martinson. “He had a lot of goals and points in his first year. If a player has done it once they can do it again given the right circumstances. We have two of the top set up wingers in the league, I’m expecting our power play to score a lot of goals.”

Should be a solid team by the guys brought in so far

 

[icehogfan08]

Hoffman Estates, IL – The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, announced today that they have agreed to terms with goaltender Rob Nolan.

Nolan, 25, comes to Chicago following an award-packed season in 2010-11 with the Missouri Mavericks of the Central Hockey League (CHL). The 6-0, 170 pound net-minder appeared in 44 games with the Mavericks, posting a 26-13-5 record along with a 2.07 GAA and .928 save percentage. He was recognized as the Most Outstanding Goaltender in the CHL, was named to the All-CHL Team, and also played in the CHL All-Star Game.

Nolan began his professional career with the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League (IHL) in 2009-10. He ended the season with a .912 save percentage and 2.89 GAA along with a 19-22-4 record. Before turning pro, the Sherwood Park, Alberta, native spent four seasons with Michigan Tech (NCAA), including turning in a .910 save percentage in 2006-07.

“It’s great to get a young, hungry goalie that has had success at the professional level,” said Head Coach Steve Martinson. “Our goaltending will be rock solid.”

Goalie added

 

[inactiveuser1]

go icehogs

 

[Jntg4]

go icehogs

IceHogs are AHL