ICEMEN SUMMER NEWS REPORT (June 18, 2009)
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* The AAHA is now officially the AAHL - a "league" instead of an "association" of teams. The league has already announced one expansion team for 2009-10 - the Lapeer (MI) Thunder. Additional expansion announcements could be made in the coming weeks.

* The 2009-10 AAHL schedule is expected to be released on July 4th. The IceMen are working with Swonder Ice Arena to secure earlier timeslots this season, so that most home games can start at 7 or 7:30 instead of 8.

* The IceMen will host the 2009-10 AAHL All-Star Weekend on January 8-9, 2010. Friday will feature a skills competition, and Saturday will culminate with the first All-Star Game in AAHL history.

* Jason Reichart is no longer head coach of the IceMen. The organization’s search for a replacement is well underway, and the announcement of a new coach is expected soon.

* The IceMen have extended qualifying offers to 6 players from last season’s squad, the maximum allowable by league rules. The players - Matt Wagner, Ryan Sexsmith, Tim Recio, Ryan Ford, Aaron Naphan and Michael Uvodich - can still sign with teams from other pro leagues, but the IceMen hold their AAHL contract rights. All other players from last season are now free agents who are eligible to sign with the IceMen or any other team.

* The IceMen will hold open tryouts on August 1-2 in Evansville. There will also be an AAHL-wide free agent camp and draft on September 12-13 in Chicago. More info can be found on the IceMen website.

* Finally, the Evansville IceMen have been granted future franchise rights for the International Hockey League, which is a step up from the AAHL. The team likely won’t change leagues until Evansville’s new downtown arena is built, which probably won’t be until the 2011-12 season.