Category Archives: Pro
‘Huge’ win over Gulls boosts Roadrunners as stretch run approaches
February 22nd, 2017Few would dispute that the Tucson Roadrunners have had a memorable first season in the American Hockey League. Some might say even a bit too memorable in some respects. The perfect ending to the team’s inaugural season would, of course, be a berth in the upcoming Calder Cup playoffs. But getting there is the immediate…
Longtime Coyotes captain Doan sees in-state youth hockey growth as ‘exciting’
February 7th, 2017If there is an individual who keeps his one eye on the rink and the other in the community, it’s Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan. Now in his 20th NHL season, Doan has amassed all offensive records in franchise history. At the same time, he keeps an invaluable eye on development and rise of youth…
AHL All-Star Classic to showcase pair of Roadrunners rookies
January 28th, 2017The American Hockey League will hold its annual All-Star Classic Jan. 29-30 at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa., home of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The fledgling Tucson Roadrunners will send a pair of rookie standouts — forward Christian Fischer and defenseman Kyle Wood — to represent the Pacific Division team at this year’s event….
Scottsdale’s Larraza making most of his time in the AHL
January 12th, 2017While American Hockey League (AHL) rosters are stocked with players hailing from traditional hockey-playing regions of North America, elite players from less conspicuous areas are also vying to make the jump to the NHL. San Diego Gulls forward Zac Larraza represents Arizona. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE The 23-year-old Scottsdale native received a call-up from the…
Roadrunners making the grade as first-year AHL club
January 5th, 2017Nearing the halfway point of the 2016-17 American Hockey League (AHL) season, the Pacific Division standings remain fluid with just 0.075 percentage points separating the top four teams. Another 0.055 percentage points separate the bottom four teams in the eight team division. Five teams have spent time in first place so far this season, including…
Matthews garners NHL Rookie of the Month honors for December
January 3rd, 2017Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, who led all rookies with eight goals and four assists in 12 games, has been named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for December. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE Matthews edged Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (6-6-12 in 14 GP), Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (1-11-12 in 13 GP), Carolina…
Scottsdale’s Matthews picks up NHL’s First Star of the Week honors
January 2nd, 2017Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 1. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE FIRST STAR – AUSTON MATTHEWS, C, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS Matthews led the NHL with 4-2—6 in three outings, all…
Roadrunners captain Cunningham on the road to recovery
December 27th, 2016The hockey world stopped and watched and then offered thoughts and prayers on Nov. 19. Just prior to the American Hockey League (AHL) game at the Tucson Convention Center between the Tucson Roadrunners and Manitoba Moose, Roadrunners captain Craig Cunningham collapsed on the ice before medics rushed to his aid, performing chest compressions. READ OUR…
Pro hockey’s return to Tucson kicks off in grand fashion
December 7th, 2016There are plenty of times in sports when numbers don’t tell the whole story. This – the telling of the start of Arizona’s newest pro hockey franchise, the Tucson Roadrunners – is not one of those times. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE A week after notching the American Hockey League (AHL) franchise’s dramatic first win since…
Scottsdale’s Matthews makes memorable first impression in NHL debut
November 21st, 2016For many years now, the spotlight has been on Auston Matthews. And Matthews has earned every bit, from being a standout youth player with the Arizona Bobcats, to playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) to being the No. 1 overall selection in last June’s NHL Draft. READ OUR LATEST ISSUE Then on…