Make sure to follow us on Twitter! @azvibesports

Before the season starts we wanted to put together the most complete list of Coyotes related Tweeps that Coyotes fans should follow over the course of the season.

If you want to connect with Coyotes fans via Twitter, we’ve assembled a large list that can be found here:

http://twitter.com/azvibesports/coyotes-tweeps/members

This list will be always updating so keep checking back for more additions.

Here’s our official list of Coyotes tweeps that are must follows (other than us, of course….just kidding)

Make sure to follow us on Twitter! @azvibesports

We’re going to try something new this season called ‘Pack Reports’.   In these ‘Pack Reports’ will be news from or about the Coyotes, the NHL and Hockey in general.

In this edition of the Pack Report:

• 2010 NHL Awards Wrap-up
• Update on the Coyotes local TV Schedule
• Coyotes Rookie Camp roster and schedule set
• Coyotes Pack Preview Day (the first day of Training Camp)
• Phoenix Coyotes single game tickets go on sale this Friday!
• Answering questions for the Icy Coyotes Blog

2010 NHL Awards Wrap-up

In case you missed it, we were at the 2010 NHL Awards in Las Vegas and had a ton of stuff to report on.  We tried to cover as many bases as possible due to the fact that you really don’t see the Phoenix Coyotes represented at the NHL Awards that often.

Here’s what we posted back in June.

2010 NHL Awards – Media Day

2010 NHL Awards – Day 1

2010 NHL Awards – Bryzgalov named to the NHL’s 2nd All Star Team

2010 NHL Awards – Dave Tippett wins the Jack Adams Trophy

2010 NHL Awards – Shane Doan wins King Clancy Trophy

2010 NHL Awards – Henrik Sedin cleans up at the NHL Awards (Audio)

2010 NHL Awards – Interview: Dave Tippett

2010 NHL Awards – Duncan Keith wins Norris Trophy (Audio)

Ryan Miller wins Vezina Trophy, NHL Foundation Award (Audio)

2010 NHL Awards – Trophy Winners Wrap Up (Audio)

Update on the Coyotes local TV Schedule

Late last month, the NHL released the Coyotes national (meaning the US and Canada) television schedule. However, no details about the local TV schedule has been made public as of today. 

I spoke with a source last week who informed me that the reason why the Coyotes local TV schedule has not been released is due to the NBA.  I was told that the NBA has yet to approve the local TV schedules for the Phoenix Suns (as well as the other teams in the league).  Once the NBA approves the Suns local TV schedule, the Coyotes TV schedule will be finalized and released.

Coyotes Rookie Camp roster and schedule set

The Phoenix Coyotes announced their Rookie Camp roster and schedule for this weekend.  Click here for details.

Coyotes Pack Preview Day (the first day of Training Camp)

The Phoenix Coyotes sent out the following press release today regarding the first day of training camp:

Phoenix Coyotes announced today that the team will host a Coyotes Pack Preview Day from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Jobing.com Arena.  The event is free to the public as fans will get their first chance to see the 2010-11 Coyotes players on the ice.

In addition, Coyotes Chief Operating Officer Mike Nealy and General Manager Don Maloney will host a Town Hall meeting at 1:00 p.m. at Comerica Bank Club where fans can learn more about the upcoming season from the Coyotes’ top business and hockey executives.

The team will also be hosting a garage sale featuring signed memorabilia and Coyotes merchandise with proceeds benefitting Coyotes Charities.  Young Coyotes fans can visit with Howler and use the Coyotes’ interactive inflatable games inside the arena.

The Coyotes Den team store will be open, as well as some arena concession stands.  Coyotes’ staff and broadcasters will be on hand throughout the event to interact with fans and help to usher in the 2010-11 season.

Phoenix Coyotes single game tickets go on sale this Friday!

Answering Coyotes questions for the Icy Coyotes blog

Last Thursday I answered some questions for the Icy Coyotes Blog about the upcoming season. Here’s the questions along with the answers I submitted on September 2nd:

Q. What are you looking forward to the most this season?

Honestly? I’m looking forward to the start of the season and how the Coyotes will respond right out of the gate.

Q. After the successful regular season last year do you think the Coyotes will be able to stand up to the expectations this year?

I’m confident they can. The two key things that will dictate if the Coyotes can stand up to expectations this year are 1) Will the Coyotes prospects who were in San Antonio last year finally take the step up to the NHL for good? 2) How will the new-look Coyotes defense perform on the ice?

Q. Who do you think will be the break-out Coyotes player this year?

Of the Veterans, I’m looking at Scottie Upshall to have a breakout season. He was on the verge of doing something special last season before his injury.

As for the prospects, it’s their time to shine. I’m expecting Kyle Turris to make the squad and have a significant impact on the team.

Q. If you were GM for a day, who (among remaining free agents) would you sign today to help the Coyotes?

Let’s see….at Center I’d take a chance on Kyle Wellwood. Sure he’s gotten bad press on another team but so did Mathieu Schneider, Lee Stempniak (before he was traded here) and Wojetk Wolski before they were acquired by the Coyotes.

The Coyotes need the center depth this season. They did ok last season in the faceoff circle but nothing compared to where they need to be at.

Two other players to look at in the Center spot are Mike Comrie and Brendan Morrison. Morrison has been plagued by injuries as of late affecting his play. A tryout should weed out if he can play with this team or not.

As for the wings, I’d wait to see after training camp to see where everything is at before going after more talent.

The Coyotes need help on Defense. However, after looking over the available UFA Defensemen, its slim pickings out there so I’m looking to the prospects first to see if they can step up their games to earn a roster spot.

Q. In your opinion, who will be the Coyotes biggest challenge to play this year?

In the Division? – San Jose and LA. It’s going to be a dog fight between these teams.

In the Conference? Vancouver. Short of a key role player or two, on paper, they have one of their deepest teams in franchise history. It just remains to be seen if they can play solid defense in their D-zone.

However, the key to Vancouver’s success this season won’t be the players. It will be the coaches. Last season they had a major defensive problem in that they couldn’t play defense. The coaching staff couldn’t stop the bleeding over the course of the season and it came back to bite them in the backside in the playoffs. In the off season they fired one of their assistant coaches (one who was hired by Mike Gillis without input from Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault).

People who are going to keep an eye on the Canucks will need to keep a watch on how the Canucks play defensively and in transition this season to see if they’ve fixed their problems from last season.

In the East? – Pittsburgh and Washington. Pittsburgh seemed to have fixed their defensive problems from last season but fans need to keep an eye on if indeed their PP/PK and defensive problems have been solved. I’ll add the Flyers to this list…only if Chris Pronger is healthy.

Q. Any predictions for the Coyotes this year?

Coyotes will win the division this year or be a few points out of the division lead.

Q. How do you think Wjotek Wolski will fare during a full season as a member of the Coyotes?

It depends on what his role will be this season. There’s been talk of him moving to Center but we won’t know until training camp to see if that is indeed what will happen.

Q. With Michalek leaving for Pittsburgh, the defense took a huge hit. How do you think Dave Tippett will restructure the defense?

Honestly? It’s time for the kids to step up. They should be ready to take the next step to the NHL level.

Q. Any comments about the ownership ordeal?

As an Editor, my policy for AZ Vibe is to not write about the story until new owners have been found and the deal is 100% done.

As a writer, this whole ordeal has literally been like watching a dog chasing its tail in circles for well over a year now. Once you think the whole process is making headway, something happens and the whole ordeal is back to square one. I think everyone in the local media is tired of the cyclical nature this story has been taking for the past year. I haven’t taken sides with anyone in this ordeal except maybe for the fans who are the ones who are really getting screwed in all of this mess.

Q. Do you believe hockey can truly work in the desert?

Hockey does work in the desert.  This is one of the biggest misconceptions about hockey in Arizona for people outside the state of Arizona.

The game (hockey) has taken off in a tremendous grass roots manner in this state. PF Chang’s has been a HUGE sponsor in the development in youth hockey in the area for years. High School Hockey has taken off as well. Don’t be surprised if you see some NHL-level talent from Arizona get drafted before too long.

Also, keep an Eye on Arizona State University’s hockey team (Division 1 and Division 2). They have such AMAZING talent it’s scary. Every major college in Arizona (ASU, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University) fields a hockey team.

You want to know one of the reasons why the NHL is so passionate about making sure the NHL stays in Arizona? What is described above is the main reason why.

What hasn’t worked in the desert for so long was the way the Coyotes were run up until a few years ago. That has changed, the ship has been righted and they are sailing in the right direction.

Q. What game are you looking forward to most this season? Any special games the fans should mark their calendars ASAP for?

Yes!

October 30th Home Vs Tampa Bay – Fans will get a firsthand look at Steve Yzerman’s new-look Lightning.

November 3rd Home Vs Nashville – If there was a team that was a mirror image of the Coyotes, it’s the Predators. They always have great games against one another.

November 6th Home Vs Pittsburgh – Michalek returns.

February 5th & March 8th Home Vs Vancouver – Coyotes fans can get a great look at a team that has been picked to be first in the Western Conference.

Valentine’s Day Home Vs Washington

Coyotes six game road trip (longest of the season) December 15th-26th – The Coyotes take on the Devils, Rangers, Islanders, Penguins, Sharks and Stars. This should is the perfect moment in the season to get a good gauge on where the Coyotes are at as a team and what their potential for the rest of the season will be.

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA-Earlier this afternoon, the Phoenix Coyotes announced the list of attendees to their Rookie Camp which will take place at the Jobing.com Arena from September 11th-15th. As part of the Rookie Camp schedule, the Coyotes will play two exhibition games against the Los Angeles Kings rookies. The full Rookie Camp roster for the Coyotes and Kings are below as is the Coyotes Rookie Camp schedule.

The following is a complete schedule of events for the Coyotes 2010-11 Rookie Camp:

Goaltenders

Defensemen

Forwards

According to the Los Angeles Kings website, this is the Kings Rookie Camp roster:

KINGS ROOKIE CAMP ROSTER
(Subject to change):
Forwards:
Riley Brace^
Kyle Clifford
Robert Czarnik
Corey Elkins
Zach Harnden^
Ray Kaunisto
Dwight King
Brandon Kozun
Andrei Loktionov
Jordan Nolan
Michael Pelech
Brayden Schenn
Tyler Toffoli
Linden Vey
Jordan Weal

Defensemen:
Nicolas Deslauriers
Johan Fransson
Samuel Groulx^
Thomas Hickey
Dylan King^
David Kolomatis
Patrick Mullen
Jake Muzzin
Colten Teubert

Goaltenders:
Jean-Francois Berube
Martin Jones
Garrett Zemlak^
^ = On tryout

SCOTTSDALE-This afternoon former Phoenix Coyotes and current Edmonton Oilers Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin received the Arizona State minimum sentence, for a February 8th DUI arrest near his home in Paradise Valley.

According to prosecuting attorney Caren Close, the minimum sentence for this case is 30 days in jail with a minimum fine of $507.60 for DUI assessment plus $500.00 Arizona Department of Public Safety fines along with Jail costs. In addition, Khabibulin will have to undergo Arizona State certified alcohol screening and counseling.

Khabibulin’s attorney, Mark DuBiel stated that the Oilers goaltender has been in the NHL/NHL Players Association Substance abuse program, as described in the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, since the incident occurred in February.

DuBiel stated in a press conference following the sentencing that the paperwork for an appeal has already been filed. “We’ve started that process” DuBiel said. “(We) Filed the paperwork as soon as the judge signed all the proper sentencing documents”.  DuBiel continued, “The appellate process has officially started and that started with me filing the paperwork.”

It should be noted even though DuBiel filed the noticed for appeal, he still has to go through all the court records to determine what will be appealed. “We haven’t said what we’re appealing.  But the notice of appeal says that an appeal is coming.”

In addition, because the appeal was filed today, Khabibulin has not been officially sentenced. His sentence is stayed until the appeals process has run it’s course.

DuBiel would not comment on the outcome of the case or the facts of the case due to the ongoing status of the case and appeal.

Had Khabibulin not appealed the decision, he would have had to report for jail within a reasonable time after a period of 14 days following his sentencing. In the Sate of Arizona, 14 days is the time that Nikolai Khabibulin would have had to file an appeal following his sentencing.

Edmonton Oilers assistant General Manager Rick Olczyk was in Scottsdale today during the sentencing and declined to comment.  Olczyk referred all statements about the matter to Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini’s press conference that was scheduled to take place following Khabibulin’s sentencing.

As of right now, Khabibulin is free to leave the State of Arizona and the United States.   DuBiel stated that “Right now he’s (Khabibulin) looking forward to the season. That’s his main focus.”

Oilers fans are probably wondering now if Khabibulin will be welcomed into the Edmonton Oilers training camp.

Edmonton Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini simply stated during a press conference in Edmonton (following the sentencing):

“Can He (Khabibulin) come to training camp? Yes he can.”

Tambellini also wanted to make one other thing clear to the assembled media in Edmonton.

“Let me assure you that this organization is treating this matter very seriously”

Because of the appeal, the Oilers will not comment on the sentencing or any disciplinary action until the appeals process has run its course.

When reached by e-mail, the NHL Players Association declined to comment on today’s sentencing.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly released the following statement about today’s sentencing:

“We will make decisions on appropriate next steps, if any, in consultation with the club and with our program doctors responsible for administering our Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program. No such decisions have been made at this time.”

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GLENDALE-The Phoenix Coyotes officially announced today that free agent forward Lee Stempniak has re-signed with a two year, $3.8 million dollar (numbers via Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet and verified by EJ Hradek of ESPN) contract with the club. The 27 year old previously played for the Toronto Maple Leafs scoring 30 (14 goals and 16 assists) points in 62 games before he was traded to the Coyotes at the trade deadline last season. With the Coyotes, Stempniak went on a scoring tear scoring 18 points (14 goals and 4 assists) in 19 games. Of those 14 goals 13 of them were scored within the first 14 games he was a Coyote. As a result, the NHL named him the 'First Star' for the month of March 2010.

“We are very pleased to have signed Lee to a two-year contract,” said Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney said in a prepared statement. “He played a key offensive role with our team down the stretch last season. He is just entering the prime of his career and we look forward to him having continued success with our organization.”

Stempniak's deal is worth $1.9 Million this season and $2.3 million the next season. The Cap hit is $1.9 million dollars.

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PHOENIX-The news that Coyotes and NHL fans have been waiting for has arrived. No, Martin Hanzal hasn’t been re-signed. Paul Bissonnette (aka Biznasty) will begin tweeting once again starting this Wednesday when he returns to the Phoenix area.

Here’s what he posted on his Facebook account Saturday:

Bissonnette’s tweets quickly became a fan favorite across the NHL for providing a glimpse into the life of an NHL player beyond all the canned post game comments and other well practiced lines. As explained in a previous article on this site Coyotes fans have been wanting something to supplement their Coyotes game experience and Bissonnette’s tweets did just that.

I know I speak for many Coyotes and NHL fans when I say ‘Welcome back Biznasty!’.

**UPDATE**

His new Twitter account is now live!

http://twitter.com/BizNasty2point0

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PHOENIX-Up until now, Phoenix Coyotes fans have mostly heard from the Coyotes side of the Martin Hanzal contract negotiations. Via e-mail this afternoon Martin Hanzal’s agent, Craig Oster, provided this update into the negotiations with the Phoenix Coyotes:

“We have spent a lot of time with the Coyotes attempting to find a contract that makes sense for everyone. We are confident we will eventually reach a deal as both sides are sincerely motivated to do so.”

When asked if Martin Hanzal was going to report to the Phoenix Coyotes if a deal hasn’t been reached by the opening day of training camp, Oster stated that “we have not discussed that as we are not hoping to be in that situation.”

Sounds like everything is on the right track for a new deal.

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WINNIPEG-One of the biggest question marks this off-season was where former St. Louis Blues forward Paul Kariya, who is now a free agent, was going to play this upcoming season. This afternoon the NHL Players Association released the following statement via e-mail from player agent Don Baizley regarding the status of Forward Paul Kariya for the upcoming 2010-2011 season:

“Paul Kariya will not play hockey during the 2010/11 season. After being examined by concussion specialist Dr. Mark Lovell, Paul is not able to play hockey due to post-concussion syndrome.”

The fifteen year NHL veteran tallked 43 points last season (18 goals and 25 assists) in 75 games with the St. Louis Blues.

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NEW YORK-This morning the NHL released, via e-mail, the full national TV schedule for the 2010-2011 NHL Regular season. The Coyotes will start the season off on Versus from the O2 Arena in the Czech Republic (pictured above). They will appear on Versus 5 times this season (schedule below). Last season the Coyotes appeared only once on Versus and won in spectacular fashion.

Here’s the Coyotes national (US/Canada) television schedule. Please keep in mind this is only the national TV schedule. The local TV schedules will be released at a later date.

TSN/TSN2

11/8/2010 – at Detroit – 7:30 PM
11/12/2010 – Calgary – 7:30 PM
11/23/2020 – Edmonton – 7:00 PM
12/31/2010 – at St. Louis – 7:00 PM
2/14/2011 – Washington – 7:30 PM
3/15/2011 – at Calgary – 7:30 PM

Versus – US
10/9/2010 – at Boston (Prague, CR) – 4:00 PM
11/8/2010 – at Detroit – 7:30 PM
12/31/2010 – at St. Louis – 7:30 PM
2/1/2011 – at San Jose – 7:00 PM
2/14/2011 – Washington – 7:00 PM

RDS/RIS – Canadian French Language Broadcasts

10/25/2010 – at Montreal – 7:30 PM
10/26/2010 – at Ottawa – 7:30 PM
11/23/2020 – Edmonton – 7:00 PM
12/20/2010 – at Pittsburgh – 7:00 PM
2/27/2011 – at Chicago – 6:00 PM

NHL Network – Canada

10/10/2010 – Boston (Prague, CR) – 4:00 PM
1/17/2011 – San Jose – 2:00 PM
3/13/2011 – at Anaheim – 5:00 PM

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Today marks the opening of two conditioning camps for two different hockey programs.  Anyone who are hockey fans should check them out!

Athletes Resource Conditioning Camp

For the next two weeks at the Ice Den in North Scottsdale NHL and Coyotes fans have the opportunity to see Coyotes players and NHL players who live in the area get into shape for the upcoming NHL season.  This is an opportunity to see players in an up close and personal setting.

All sessions are free and open to the public.

Refer to the following page for times and dates of the conditioning sessions:

https://www.athletesresource.com/trainingcamps.aspx

Athletes Resource homepage:

https://www.athletesresource.com/

Arizona State University Hockey Conditioning Camp and Tryouts

The Division 1 and 2 ASU Hockey Teams begin their 2010-2011 campaign at the Oceanside Ice Arena in North Tempe.  Starting this week is the ASU Hockey Conditioning camps followed next week by tryouts for the Division 1 and 2 teams.

Please refer to the following page for dates and times of the Conditioning and Tryout camps:

http://www.sundevilhockey.com/DI/?page_id=98

Arizona State University Hockey webpage:

http://www.sundevilhockey.com/