Bargain pickup lands in Portland

HOCKEY BEAT Bargain pickup lands in Portland

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By Paul Betit Portland Press Herald

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

TODAY'S GAME

WHO: Portland Pirates at Providence Bruins

WHEN: 7:05 p.m.

It appears the Portland Pirates stole a player from the Manchester Monarchs, the AHL's Atlantic Division leader.

The Monarchs announced Sunday that Mike Hoffman, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defenseman from Weymouth, Mass., in his fourth AHL season, was no longer on their roster.

Tuesday morning, he was seen riding a stationary bike in the Pirates' training room at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Sometime during the weekend, the Anaheim Ducks signed Hoffman to a two-year contract following the completion of his tryout agreement with Manchester.

"He was on a 25-game (professional tryout agreement) with the Manchester Monarchs and now has signed with the Ducks, so he will be reporting to us here," Portland Coach Kevin Dineen said.

Hoffman didn't clear waivers in time to practice with the Pirates Tuesday, but will travel with the team for tonight's game at Providence.

"He's a guy who has played some very good hockey against us," Dineen said. "At 26, he's a late developer, but he has been identified as an NHL prospect by the Ducks."

Hoffman had six goals and seven assists in 35 games with Manchester. After his arrival, the Monarchs climbed from sixth place to first in the seven-team Atlantic Division.

"He's played a very aggressive role for them," Dineen said. "On a very successful team, he's been a big part of their success this year, and I feel he's a good addition for us."

Hoffman also has played with the Toronto Marlies, Cleveland Barons and Worcester IceCats.

SEBASTIEN CARON, who has allowed six goals in his last four starts for the Pirates, didn't participate in Tuesday morning's practice at the Civic Center.

"He's got some little health issues I'm trying to stay on top of," Dineen said. "We want to make sure he's healthy going down the stretch."

Caron will travel to Rhode Island for tonight's game against the Bruins. However, Mike Wall may make the start in goal.

"It will be a game-time decision," Dineen said.

DURING THE PIRATES' recent trip, defenseman Eric Weinrich signed a contract with Anaheim, superseding the tryout agreement he signed when he came out of retirement last month to play for the Pirates.

"Under the (tryout agreement), my heath insurance ended in June," said Weinrich, an 18-year NHL veteran who became an assistant coach for the Pirates. "With this contract, it will run until September."

The new deal also provides the Ducks another option should they need to call up a defenseman.

"Because he was on a (tryout agreement), anybody could sign him," Dineen said. "This gives Anaheim (more) options. If they need defensive depth, between Kent Huskins, Aaron Rome, Joe Rullier and Eric Weinrich, they have some very good sources."

GRAND RAPIDS center Matt Ellis was named AHL player of the week after recording four goals and an assist to help the Griffins win 2 of 3 games last week.

Portland center Mark Hartigan, who had three goals and an assist to help the Pirates earn points in three games, also was nominated.

Other nominees included two former Pirates: Trent Whitfield, who had a goal and five assists for Peoria, and Curtis Glencross, who had two goals in two games for Syracuse.

THE DAY OF HOCKEY will be held Sunday at the Civic Center starting at 9 a.m.

The Portland Pirates Foundation is holding the event to raise awareness and funds for the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center.

Events include the Pirates' game against the Lowell Devils at 4:05 p.m., a postgame skate, Salty Pete's Skate for the Kids at 11 a.m., the third annual Clash of the Classes high school boys' hockey game between Cape Elizabeth and Cheverus and a girls' hockey game.

For more information, visit www.portlandpirates.com.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 725-8795 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

Reader comments

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MP of Standish, ME

Feb 21, 2007 8:29 PM

The pirates have alot of one point loses lately, so I think they are a better team then their record indicates. Adding Hoffman will help quickly, should be a interesting playoff run.

Reg Bamford of Bangor, ME

Feb 21, 2007 12:45 PM

still waiting for that consistency of the roster to come into view. that continues to be an issue. hopefully after the trade deadline it will settle down.

Andrew of South Portland, ME

Feb 21, 2007 9:44 AM

It's going to be a little odd cheering for a man that every jeered when he was the subject of a Gillies-beating. It'll add some additional grit to the blueline, give the Ducks another option if they need an additional enforcer, and provide some size so our group can move opposing players out of a crease (a weakpoint this year for the Pirates). At 6'4" he will be the biggest guy on the team, and that size is something our boys need more of in a division where teams like Manchester, Hartford, and Providence have the overall size advantage.

As for Sebastien I hope this day off isn't a sign that the pesky finger injury that had him down in Anaheim will sideline him here. I like our chances with Caron in net over Wall, especially as we are on the road towards the Calder Cup playoffs.

GO PIRATES!

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