It's North vs. South - CHL opts for two conference system

Brahmas remain in Southern Conference

I was surprised to see this so soon, but with 15 teams remaining in the Central Hockey League for the 2009-10 season, the Central Hockey League has announced today that it will revert to a two conference system, something they haven’t done since the 2000-01 season. The league also announced that the playoff format used last season will remain in place for each of the last two seasons with 10 teams qualifying for post-season play (the top five teams from each conference).

The seven-team Northern Conference will consist of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, Colorado Eagles, Mississippi RiverKings, Missouri Mavericks, Rapid City Rush, Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder.

The eight-team Southern Conference or "The Texas Conference" (sorry Arizona) will consist of the Allen Americans, Amarillo Gorillas, Arizona Sundogs, Corpus Christi IceRays, Laredo Bucks, Odessa Jackalopes, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and Texas Brahmas.

Since there are no divisions, there will be no divisional rivalries. Hopefully, the schedule will be set up in a manner that will maintain some of the past conflicts between teams.

The Northern Conference will see five of its seven teams making the playoffs. This is before the first puck of the 2009-10 campaign is even dropped. Nice odds, eh? Tough break for Tulsa and Wichita.

As far as the Northern teams, I’m glad to see we will have the opportunity for a rematch against the Colorado Eagles. Bossier and Mississippi will remain the teams to beat as the Brahmas have always enjoyed fierce competition against both teams. Not sure what to think of the Mavericks, although based on the weight of their management and coaching staff, they may surprise people. Too early to tell though with one signing (Jeff Christian) announced but I think they may have a good opportunity to sign some former Blazers due to the Brad Lund connection. I’m not concerned with Rapid City (not sure we’ll play them again this season due to the travel distance and the fact we’ll likely travel to play Arizona), Tulsa or Wichita.

The Brahmas will have their hands full with stiff competition from its conference rivals. I’m not worried about Amarillo (2-5 against the Brahmas) or Corpus Christi (0-9 against the Brahmas). Don’t know what to expect from the Sundogs or the Dayton Americans. Arizona had a rough time last season and couldn’t defend the cup. I’m not impressed with the Allen organization so far, or their coaching staff (maybe back in the day, but not now). I think they’ll have a hard time adjusting to the CHL. I believe Rio will be the most improved team under sophomore head coach Chris Brooks and will be a tough competitor. Of course, Laredo and Odessa will continue to be the teams to beat in the South.

Not sure when the 2009-10 schedule will be released. Last year, it was released on Friday, July 18th. Looking forward to seeing it though...

Image Credit: Central Hockey League

A few minutes with...Brett Jaeger

The Brahmas goaltender talks about re-signing, his work ethic and winning a championship

As you know, the Texas Brahmas have announced the return of Brett Jaeger for the 2009-10 season. I’ve been in touch with Brett during the off-season and we spoke a little bit more in depth yesterday. Here is our conversation.

Q: I know there’s been some talk about you going to a training camp at a higher level…

A: Yeah, we’re looking at things in other leagues; in the American League and an NHL thing - hopefully that happens, but if I go to that training camp and get sent back down, this is where I wanted to be – with the Brahmas. The best thing for me was to get it done (the re-signing); this way if I’m down at the AA level, I know where I’m going and it’s a place where we’re happy. That’s a huge thing for me.

Q: You have only been paired with David Cacciola during your time with the Brahmas. If in fact, Cash doesn't return next season, how will you feel about whoever the team signs?

A: It doesn’t really matter who they bring in. I push myself in practice. I try to be the hardest worker on the team...I’m the guy that pushes myself. I just focus on doing what I do every day. That’s coming to the rink and working as hard as I can in practice and preparing to play in games – how I can play and how I want to play and giving the team a chance to win. That’s where my focus has been over the last couple of years with the Brahmas. Whoever they bring in, I’ll help them out if I can; If it’s a younger guy, I’ll try and show him the ropes.

Q: You are well known for your work ethic and your attention to improving your game. Many people have commented about how you are always out early and stretching, getting yourself prepared for the game, physically as well as mentally. Did you always have that ethic?

A: Well, you know I’ve grown up with it. My family – we farm back in Alberta. We wake up at 6:00 am and work until the sun goes down...staying out an extra half an hour isn’t work to me – I enjoy it. It’s something that I have to do to be ready and to be at the top of my game. All the stretching and stuff is something I found that helps me prepare for games and it relaxes the body. You’ve got to do that stuff, especially when you play a lot. Last year, I played a lot and you have to take care of your body. It should take care of you. It pays off, especially with being the number one goalie. You’re playing pretty much every night and sometimes you’re playing three games in three nights and you have to look after your body. All the stretching helps me play that many games and stay away from injuries.

Q: You started 44 games in the regular season and all 16 games during the playoffs. You led the league in GAA and save percentage during the playoffs – after the win in Game 5 against the Eagles, did you think to yourself, wow, all the hard work paid off?

A: Yeah, it was a pretty awesome feeling. I was happy – you know you really don’t realize how big it is until a couple of days after when it really sinks in. I was just happy to do it with so many great guys around me and it’s something that the team and the coaching staff will never forget and no one can take that away from us. It’s an amazing feeling when you finally do it – all the hard work and all the things you do away from the rink, like the off-season training and stuff like that really pays off.

Q: What’s your outlook for this coming season?

A: Any time you’re coming into a new season, you want to do well; win a lot of hockey games. With the guys we have coming back and with what we’ve been through the last couple of years, we’re a pretty experienced team and that should help us. How our coaching staff approaches preparing us for games, we should be ready. For me, I mean, my job is the same as it was last year and the year before – to go out and make the saves I’m supposed to make and make a couple of unreal saves (laughing) during the game and keep the team in the game and give them a chance to win. Stop the pucks. Just go out there and work hard in practice and try and get better every day.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Who are you?

Just a few stats about the Insider readers

I didn't have a stat counter for the Insider until recently; don't know what I was thinking. I get e-mails from readers around the country and the world but I've never had a full representation of my readers.

Here's some info I've been able to put together recently. This is just for the last week, but it gives an idea of who you are.

We had 437 visitors in the last seven days. 364 were unique visitors. 228 were first time visitors. 136 were returning visitors.

87.6% of readers are from the United States - 51.4% from Texas (duh).

10.6% are from Canada, mostly from Ontario but visitors also came from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

In the last week, we've also had visitors from Finland, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Australia and Germany.

The majority of readers get here after a Google or Google Canada search.

Visits to the Flickr site where photos are stored have reduced greatly in the off-season, but we are nearing 100, 000 photo views.

I sure I don't say it enough, but thank you for coming! If you ever have feedback, if there's something you want to see, or if you just want to say hi, don't hesitate to drop me a line at texasbrahmasinsider@sbcglobal.net

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

Vet rule change is official

...and other "news"

Thanks to Gary Stallons over at the Brahmas board for posting the following note from Bob Hoffman at the league office:

The veteran rule is now 300 games, so 301 or more games makes you a vet and teams can have four vets as has been the case in recent years.

Thanks,

Bob

OK, so this was expected but now confirmed. Remember, Goalies are exempt.

The Brahmas have already announced the signing of veterans Anders Strome (342 games) and Craig Minard (466 games). Mike Vellinga was the other vet on last seasons roster but he has retired. Jason Deitsch (292 games) would have been the fourth vet under the old rule but the new rule frees up his spot for someone else.

I know of one other vet that will be joining the team this season, but that name will be released when the Brahmas are ready to do so. That leaves at least one other spot open for Fonger to work with.

There's been a lot of speculation about the new divisional realignment that the league is working on. Lots of theories out there, but none of them matter until we hear what the league decides.

The last time the league was comprised of 15 teams was during the 2005/06 season. That year, the entire Southern Conference was made up of Texas teams with Odessa, Amarillo and Lubbock in the three team Southwest Division. The Brahmas were the lone Texas representative in the Northern Conference, occupying a spot in the Northeast Division.

I've spoken to several players from the Oklahoma City Blazers recently. Great group of guys. They've had a pretty good attitude about this whole thing with a lot of concern for their fans.

This from Simon Lambert today:

"I think it is really unfortunate that the team is ceasing operations for the fans first of all. They were really loyal, and some of the best in the CHL, no doubt about it. For us players, there are always other places to play, even though I will miss OKC, but the fans will not have their team anymore. I got to know some of the fans personally, and I cannot stop thinking about how saddened some of them must be."

You can read more here

Personally, I wasn't a big fan of the Blazers organization and I hate the way they handled this whole thing, especially for the fans and players sake, but what can you do? At least the players have lots of options and are in demand. I'm of the belief that several will move to Independence due to the Brad Lund connection. Like a lot of coaches, I know Fonger was on the phone right away when he got the news last Thursday. Hopefully, he can lure one or more of the guys down here.

We should have had the schedule for the new season by the end of next week, but due to the OKC announcement, we may have to wait a little longer for that and the new division map.

Until then, this reminder from John Blanding - we're approaching the 100 day mark until the start of next season!

Brahmas announce Jaeger’s return

Champion goalie in place for the 2009-10 campaign

Those who were concerned that Brett Jaeger would move on can breathe a sigh of relief as the Texas Brahmas have announced his return to the net for the 2009-10 season.

Jaeger, 26, led the Central Hockey League in goaltending during the 2009 playoffs with a 2.20 GAA and a .930 save percentage. He was the only goaltender to start all 16 games and more importantly, the only one with 12 victories for a championship win.

During the regular season, his career best, Jaeger broke three of the Brahmas’ single season franchise records: Goals Against (98), Save Percentage (.924) and Goals Against Average (2.36). He also managed a 2.36 GAA and a .924 save percentage and a 28-9-5 record in 44 games played.

He had two shutouts at the NYTEX Sports Centre against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (12/09/08) and the Arizona Sundogs (01/16/09) and his three assists accounted for his most offensive productivity in any season as a professional.

With just five more victories, Jaeger will become the Brahmas all-time winningest goaltender. Rob Laurie currently holds that honor with 45 wins.

A consummate professional, Jaeger spends a tremendous amount of time working to stay in shape and to improve his game, a personal ethic that has translated to victories on the ice for the Texas Brahmas.

"Brett has proven to be the top goaltender in the league, so we made it a priority to bring him back for another run. His work ethic and strong play between the pipes is what makes the Brahmas so successful," said coach Dan Wildfong.

On the personal side, Jaeger and his fiancee, Corinne Lieffering will be married this Friday, July 10th in British Columbia.

Photo Credits: Top - Robert Keith, Bottom - Brett Jaeger

And then there were 15...

New Mexico suspends operations; Oklahoma City ends 17 season run in the CHL

It's a sad day for the Central Hockey League and its fans. Out of nowhere today, the news broke that the Oklahoma City Blazers has ceased operations and will no longer be a part of the CHL. The league also announced formally (although this was no surprise) that the New Mexico Scorpions were suspending operations.

Wow, what happened? At the end of the season, before the rumors about the Rocky Mountain Rage began, it appeared that the CHL would have 18 teams participating in the 2009-10 campaign.

First, we found out that things were not looking good in Broomfield, Colorado. Next came word that John Madden would either find a buyer for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs or suspend operations. Dave Ellett followed suit in Rio Rancho.

At least the Mudbugs were saved at the last moment by a wealthy fan, much like what happened in Corpus Christi last summer. I don't think anyone believed that the Rage or the Scorpions would be in the mix next season but as of today, with the news that the Blazers were pulling out, the league is now down three teams for 2009-10 and will scramble to put together a new divisional alignment and a new schedule.

The news about the Oklahoma City Blazers is not altogether surprising. Everyone knew that they were probably moving to the American Hockey League at some point, taking the place of the dormant franchise owned by the Edmonton Oilers. What bites is the way they did it. Certainly this wasn't a last minute thing as league commissioner Duane Lewis indicated.

“We feel hurt by this late notice and surprising announcement,” said Lewis. "This decision did not happen overnight, and to continue to work on the schedule and wait until July to inform us is disappointing."

I spoke to Blazers defenseman Justin Sawyer tonight. He said that he received a phone call from assistant coach Chris Dashney today and was informed that the team had ceased operations.

"I was pretty shocked. Even with all the rumors going on, I definitely figured the Blazers would be on the ice next year."

But Sawyer doesn't have to worry about a job as he had already made a move for himself for next season.

"I wasn't able to sign a contract with the Blazers due to the negotiations on the lease," Sawyer said. "I decided to sign with Bloomington in the IHL...Their reputation was good from what I heard from (former Blazer) Marty Standish and after meeting with the coach Jarrod Skalde, it seemed to be a great fit."

I also spoke to Dan Wildfong tonight and he was just as blown away by the news as anyone.

"It's definitely sad anytime you lose any team," Wildfong said. "...Oke City is always looked up to, so it's a sad day."

On the up side, there are a lot of quality players available now, which will be helpful to the expansion Missouri Mavericks and Allen Americans. But Dan Wildfong isn't going to miss out on the opportunity to recruit some of the free agents who are now available.

"I would be happy to get a lot of their players because they play hard and they're a good young team."

Here's the story I wrote for ProhockeyNews.com (click here)

Image Credit: Central Hockey League