After falling to the New York Aviators in round one of last season’s Federal Hockey League playoffs by a single goal in a game five overtime situation, Whalers hockey has returned to the ice at the Danbury Ice Arena for the second annual free agent tryout camp.

The two day camp held Friday and Saturday was a chance for players with different skill levels and experience take to the ice and show what they are made of in hopes of getting a call back to the Whalers training camp.

“These opportunities are few and far between,” said returning Whaler Joe Dabkowski who participated in the weekend’s All-Star game. “For some of these guys this is their one shot. You’ve got two choices, either lay it all on the line or just kind of go through the motions, and if you really want it you kind of just have to go out there and hope for the best and hopefully your best is good enough.”

Newly appointed head coach Phil Esposito took the reins in running the tryout camp and was using the opportunity as a way of finding a few guys who could potentially compete amongst the handful of Whalers already signed on for next season.

“Espo[sito] is looking for guy who is going to stand out,” said Whalers veteran Marty Moucha who joined the rookies and some of his Danbury teammates on the ice during camp. “So if you’re not a great skater, but you go hard 30 seconds, hit, hit, go hard get a little scrap, crash the net, do the little things right, it just kind of adds up four, five, six, times in a row and you don’t [screw] up anything then it shows. You don’t get scored on and same thing with defense, you don’t make a stupid mistake, you’ve got to build your confidence level and take a step forward.”

Esposito was also looking for players with passion for the game. Conducting the camp, he was joined by a handful of Whalers including Moucha, Nick Niedert, Lynn Beedle, Devin Guy and Corey Fulton. The veterans took part in the drills and participated in the All-Star Game alongside the top rookie free agents.

“It’s always great to have some veterans out there on the ice,” said free agent Brendan Galley. “You see where you can improve in your own game and you can see because they’ve been there, they read the ice differently, they read the plays differently, and you can feed off that and kind of learn for yourself.”

Not only was it helpful to the free agents for the veterans to be working out with them, but it was also helpful for the coaches to gauge where the rookies stand in comparison.

“You look at guys like Marty Moucha,” said Niedert. “He doesn’t speak much he’s quiet, but he was out there working his ass off and that showed the rest of the guys that it’s a good stepping stone because Marty was one of the better players on our team … then you got to see how everybody adapted to that and you could see who could keep up and who couldn’t and that was a big thing with the veterans … you can definitely tell just everything passing, shooting, skating, just all that stuff you could tell how off some guys were.”

The two-day, grueling camp began with the majority of players testing the waters, but they soon learned that there wasn’t any time to be timid. The players were split into two teams, with the majority of players being forwards.

“Getting noticed as a forward definitely an issue,” said free agent defenseman Aaron Schwartz. “Camps like this they’re usually looking for the gritty players … I’m a defenseman, played defense the first day and forward the second day.

“Fighting always helps you get noticed, but when it gets down to it anybody can fight, finishing the checks, showing that you’re an aggressive player is definitely key in keeping a defensive minded style of hockey. Like I said, you go out here and you don’t back check and you score six goals, I don’t think that’s really going to help you out.”

Each workout ended with a team versus team scrimmage. At the end of the second day the first round of cuts were made and some players were asked to join the veterans in the All-Star game as a last showcase of their talent.

“I was happier with [tonight’s All-Star Game],” said Esposito. “I was upset [Saturday] afternoon because if anyone knows anything about hockey, when you’re first year out of college and you’re trying to make a pro team and stuff coming to a free agent camp you can’t play timid, you can’t play afraid, you’ve got to be able to show everybody that you’re willing to go through guys and take the body and play physical and stuff like that and it just wasn’t happening, so I got a little upset because everybody who knows me knows I played that way and that’s the way I am.”

The night’s game ended with the green team outscoring the white team 6-2, but the game wasn’t necessarily all about the end result on the scoreboard. The game was just another chance for the rookies to leave everything they have on the ice in hopes of getting a bid to training camp.

The post SUMMER HOCKEY IN DANBURY first appeared on Howlings.

As part of the night’s fundraising program for Dream Come True of Western Connecticut, the volunteers for the DCT will work the stands making runs to the concession stands for the fans allowing them to not miss a second of the action.

In addition to the action on the ice, fans will have a chance to speak with Dr. Ron Manoni & Dr. Jared DiLorenzo of Manoni Chiropractic, the official team Chiropractors for the D-Whalers.  Manoni Chiropractic will be performing a free computerized spinal nerve scan for the benefit of the dedicated Danbury Whalers fans.

Manoni Chiropractic wants to remind you, that you don’t need to be a battered hockey player to have a spine/nerve problem and they want you to be proactive and preventative so they will be checking nervous system functioning on Saturday on the concourse level during the game and intermissions.

Hope to see you there

For tickets logo on to GET TICKETS HERE or call 973-713-7547

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There will be a Halloween Costume Contest sponsored by the News Times.

Prizes for the contest include a television, an IPOD, and a Nintendo Wii. 

After the game come down to Billy Beans on White Street for the post game party.  It should be a great event.

Before the game the place to eat is Two Steps Downtowne Grille.

Click here for the pre-game menu and specials

For tickets logo on to GET TICKETS HERE      or call 973-713-7547

The post Danbury Whalers Halloween Costume Contest first appeared on Howlings.

Opening Weekend Agenda

The Danbury Whalers are set to drop the puck on their inaugural season on Friday night October 29^th at 7:05 pm when they take on the New York Aviators.

The teams complete their 2-game series the next night on Saturday, October 30^th.  The puck drops at 7:05 pm.

For the weekend the promotional lineup is as follows:

Friday October 29^th, 2010

6:00 pm           Gates Open

                      Connecticut band Big Fat Combo plays until 6:50

6:55 pm           Opening Night festivities begin

                      Introduction of honored guests and Danbury Whalers staff & management

7:04 pm         Teams hit the ice

7:05 pm    Mayor Mark Boughton drops the ceremonial First Puck

                        First Period Intermission        

·         Danbury Whalers Model Search Final Round

·         Jersey Auction – Bid on your favorite Danbury Whalers player game worn jersey.  Each jersey has a specially embroidered OPENING NIGHT 10/29/10 on the chest

                        Throughout the night             

·         Promotions & giveaways including a TV, camera, & iPod

Post-Game  

·         Danbury Whalers players will sign autographs in the lobby

More Post Game                    

·         Meet up with the Danbury Whalers players at TK’s American Café

(Located on 255 White Street in Danbury)

Saturday, October 30^th, 2010

6:00 pm           Gates Open

7:05                 Puck drops

                        First Period Intermission        

·         Halloween Costume contest sponsored by the News Times

            Winners receive – TV, Nintendo Wii, Camera

Post-Game                              

·         Danbury Whalers players will sign autographs in the lobby

More Post Game                   

·         Come meet us after the game at Billy Beans on White Street

The post Danbury Whalers Opening Weekend Update first appeared on Howlings.

Danbury Whalers Prepare for Opening Weekend

Prize Giveaways, Jersey Auction, & Costume Contest Highlight Weekend

Today at the Danbury Ice Arena, in Danbury, Connecticut, Danbury Whalers, CEO, Herm Sorcher announced the outline for Opening Weekend festivities.

On Friday, October 29^th at 7:05 pm the team drops the puck against the New York Aviators in the team’s first game.  Opening Night festivities will begin at 7 pm with the introduction of members of the community and Danbury Whalers staff and management.  Dropping the ceremonial first puck will be Danbury Mayor, Mark Boughton.

Throughout the evening there will be numerous contests, promotions, and giveaways with fans having a chance to win a TV, camera, and other great prizes.

The Danbury Whalers will be wearing their Kelly Green jerseys on Friday.  Fans will a chance to bid in a silent auction for the player’s game worn jerseys.  Following the game the players will sign their jersey for the winning bidder.

Following the game, there will be a post game party at TK’s American Café on 255 White Street in Danbury.  All players and coaches will attend.  Check out TK’s at www.tksamericancafe.com.

On Saturday, October 30^th the team again takes on the New York Aviators in a 7:05 pm start.

Fans are encouraged to come to the game in their Halloween costumes.  There will be a costume contest sponsored  by the News Times with the fans winning from a collection of prizes including a Nintendo Wii, a TV, and camera.

Danbury Whalers individual game tickets can be purchased by calling 973-713-7547 or by logging onto the team website at www.thedanburywhalers.com. 

For the opening weekend, the team is encouraging fans to purchase in advance to avoid long lines at the ticket booth.

For further information on the Danbury Whalers, contact Herm Sorcher at 973-713-7547 or email hsorcher@thedanburywhalers.com.

The post DANBURY WHALERS GETTING UNDERWAY first appeared on Howlings.

Howlings is therefore are looking for an intern that would be interested in being the eyes and ears of Howlings readers. This is a non-paid position. We would prefer to find someone with a passion for hockey but also a passion for good writing, professionalism and solid writing skills. If hired, you will be the beat reporter for this season and represent Howlings at all home games. Should you want to travel, you could do that but at your own expense. We don’t get paid either and travel to a LOT of Wolf Pack road games. It’s VERY rewarding and can help you should you wish to have a career in journalism.

The plan is to have someone in place to represent Howlings at the Danbury Whalers’ upcoming Media Day event on Tuesday, October 26th at 10am.

If you’re interested, contact us at: Mitch at Howlings dot net (Can’t be having those spammers get our email address now can we?)

Here’s a press release from the team:

In a new development from Danbury Whalers training camp, the team has announced that tomorrow, Thursday, October 21st the team will be holding an Intra Squad Exhibition Game.  Game time is 7 pm and is free admission.

The Danbury Whalers season gets underway on 10/29/10 at 7:05 PM vs. the New York Aviators.

For ticket information log on to the team website at www.thedanburywhalers.com or call 973-713-7547

The post DANBURY WHALERS / HOWLINGS HIRING first appeared on Howlings.