Mike Barlett Signed to AHL contract w/ Ads

The Admirals announced the return today of forward Mike Barlett.

The Admirals announced today that they have signed forward Mike Bartlett to an American Hockey League contract.

Bartlett had a very busy season last year as he played for four different hockey clubs. He joined the Admirals for the playoffs and recorded an assist in four games during their series with the Chicago Wolves. While splitting time during the regular season with the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL) and the Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL), Mike recorded a total of 35 points (16g-19a) in 71 games played.

The Morton Grove, Illinois native played four years of college hockey at Notre Dame University after playing for the U.S. National Under-18 Team for two seasons. Bartlett began his professional career playing for the Arizona Sun Dogs of the CHL in 2007-08 and in 2008-09 he made the jump to the AHL and recorded three points in 17 games with the Monsters.

Hugh Jessiman signed by Blackhawks

Per capgeek.com, the Chicago Blackhawks have signed ex-Admiral Hugh Jessiman to a one-year 2-way contract. Jessiman injured his shoulder in the April 9th, 2010 game against the Chicago Wolves and missed the Calder Cup playoffs.

7/23/10 Ondrej Pavelec

Wolves goaltender Ondrej Pavelec high-fives some eager fans while exiting warmups; Milwaukee Admirals at Chicago Wolves, February 20, 2009.

Correction: Lehman signed to AHL contract, not NHL

Milwaukee Admirals published an article stating F/D Scott Lehman was signed to an AHL contract and is not under contract to the Nashville Predators as stated originally.

7/21/10 Francis Wathier

Texas Stars center Francis Wathier prepares for a faceoff; Texas Stars at Chicago Wolves, May 2, 2010.

Predators sign Scott Lehman

Nashville has signed ex-Chicago Wolves defenseman Scott Lehman, who only played 11 games last season due to injury.

Lehman will fit perfectly in the Admirals system, as he frequently played both defense and forward with the Wolves, allowing him to fill the role Mark Matheson and other defenseman occasionally played on the 4th line of forwards for Lane Lambert.

(Apologies for lack of citing original source, Aaron Sims' twitter)

7/19/10 Barry Brust

A close-up look at the mask of Houston Aeros goalie Barry Brust; February 20, 2010, Houston Aeros at Milwaukee Admirals.

Preds Sign Jamie Lundmark

A week after Brett Palin was signed by the Admirals, his teammate for the past two years, center Jamie Lundmark has also signed with the Nashville Predators. Both have been Alternate Captains (and in Palin's case Captain) in the Flames farm system and will bring veteran leadership into the locker room.

7/15/10 Jeremy Smith

Goaltender Jeremy Smith makes a save in preseason; Chicago Wolves at Milwaukee Admirals, September 25, 2009. Smith will be among the many challenging for one of the two goaltender spots in Milwaukee next season, after spending last season with the ECHL Kelly Cup Champion Cincinnati Cyclones.

On the right, you will now find a link to some of my favorite websites, blogs and messageboards.

Admirals announce '10/11 opponent list

No surprise, besides the new Western division Oklahoma City Barons, the Admirals will play the same teams as last season, playing neither the Rochester Americans nor any Eastern Conference teams.

Breakdown (same number of games home and away):

West Division
Chicago Wolves-5
Rockford Icehogs-5
Peoria Rivermen-5
San Antonio Rampage-4
Houston Aeros-3
Texas Stars-3
Oklahoma City Barons-3

North Division
Grand Rapids Griffins-4
Abbotsford Heat-2
Lake Erie Monsters-2
Manitoba Moose-2
Hamilton Bulldogs-1
Toronto Marlies-1

James Sixsmith to DEL

James Sixsmith was signed this week by the Cologne Sharks of the German Elite League (DEL), so unfortunately, no Sixsmith sightings in Milwaukee this year. Link

Brett Palin signed by Predators

Defenseman Brett Palin has been signed to a 1 year, 2-way contract with the Nashville Predators, and will be assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (one can assume). Palin played last year with the Abbotsford Heat, and two years with the Quad City Flames and Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights each.

7/7/10 Ryan Jones/Mike Santorelli

Mike Santorelli prepares to head out to accept 1st Star honors, as Ryan Jones returns after honored as 2nd Star.

Milwaukee Admirals at Rockford Icehogs (Calder Cup Playoffs Round 1, Game 4), April 21, 2009.

VanGuilder/Mueller re-signed to AHL Contracts

The Milwaukee Admirals announced today that forwards Mark VanGuilder and Chris Mueller have been re-signed to AHL contracts.

Also, over the weekend, Captain Nolan Yonkman was signed by Phoenix where he will eventually be re-assigned to the AHL's San Antonio Rampage in all probabilty, although has a chance to make the Coyotes out of camp, something which was a slim possibility here with Nashville.

Finally, if you haven't seen it, radio broadcaster Aaron Sims has a blog on the Admirals website, including entries about Yonkman's departure and his take on the '10/11 Ads team. (Among the players he expects to be on the team that I left off: Scott Ford and Gabriel Bourque)

Triston Grant signed by Panthers

UFA Forward Triston Grant was signed by the Florida Panthers to a 1-year, two way contract.