Dineen Interviewed for #BlueJackets Job Yesterday

According to the Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline, Portland Pirates head coach Kevin Dineen interviewed for the Columbus Blue Jackets head coaching job on Tuesday. More on this as it develops.

The Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson declined comment.

Dineen to be Interviewed This Week

According to the Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline, Portland Pirates head coach Kevin Dineen is expected to interview for the vacant Columbus Blue Jackets head coaching gig this week, perhaps as early as today. Scott Arniel, the head coach of the Manitoba Moose, was interviewed yesterday. Other candidates include Hamilton Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher, Red Wings assistant coach Paul Maclean, and Blue Jackets interim coach Claude Noel. The team went 10-8-6 after Noel took over for the fired Ken Hitchcock, who is rumored to be the front-runner for the New Jersey Devils coaching job.

Dineen has been the head coach of the Pirates since 2005.

Dineen Drawing NHL Interest Again

Portland Pirates head coach Kevin Dineen is widely regarded in circles around the NHL as a great up-and-coming coach. After a great run in Portland, he seems primed to take the Barry Trotz route to the NHL. According to a Tweet from the Toronto Globe and Mail's James Mirtle, Dineen is a hot candidate for available jobs in Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Columbus, and New Jersey. Of the 4 talent-wise, Tampa Bay and New Jersey would be the best bets, although Devils owner GM Lou Lamoriello seems to favor older coaches like Ken Hitchcock. Joe Yerdon from Gross Misconduct Hockey, said via Twitter:

"I think Columbus is hotter after him. #speculation"

Regardless, I put the odds at 4-1 Dineen returns behind the Pirates bench next season. He and his family love this area, which he has stated numerous times on the Jab, so it might be tough to leave, but how long can you avoid the NHL? I'll rank the teams in order of chances he goes there below.

1. Tampa Bay. Dineen would do great things with Steven Stamkos.
2. New Jersey. It would be the best fit for him and the team, but will Lamoriello make the right move?
3. Columbus. Dineen might be able to get this team back on track after they slipped this year.
4. Atlanta. Who the hell wants to coach hockey in Atlanta?

Globe and Mail: 14 coaching candidates

SATURDAY'S ALRIGHT FOR BLOGGING DAILY LINKS

• Jon Lester looks good in 5 plus and Baltimore walks home the winning run as the Sox beat the Orioles 4 - 3....The Big Jab Bus Karma maybe?
• The Bruins got toasted in Buffalo and may or may not have lost Zdeno Chara to suspension for the next game. Former Portland Pirates Tyler Ennis and Nathan Gerbe had big nights against the Bs.
• Paul Pierce drained a last second shot to put the C's 1 win away from moving on in the Eastern Conference.
• Super Sox prospect Casey Kelly allowed his 1st AA run to Trenton but settled down, allowing that lone run on four hits and one walk, while striking out three in 3 1/3 innings. The Thunder broke out for 7 runs late, beating the Sea Dogs 9 - 1 Friday night.
• The New England Patriots kept to their wheeling and dealing ways, getting 2 linebackers and a tight end on day 2 of the draft.
• The University of Maine Baseball and Softball teams return to Orono for double headers Saturday.
• Maine High School scores HERE on MBR.ORG!

Kiss Your Baby Day Links...

SOX MOB DARNELL MCDONALD AFTER GAME WINNING HIT

Darnell McDonald?? Who? Yeah Darnell McDonald!! You saw the Fenway Faithful look around in disbelief when Darnell McDonald walked to the plate. Some guy who was called up at 5:30 PM and pinch hit and come out with a 2 run moonshot in the 8th and a walk off the Green Monster to send the Red Sox home with a much needed win, 8-7 at Fenway.

Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury placed on  DL.

No Garnett, No problem for Celtics who put coolant on the Heat 106-77 at the Garden.. Take 2-0 series lead headed to South Beach Friday night.

What all you Football fans have been waiting for!! The 2010 Patriots schedule..

Patriots sign veteran wideout Torry Holt to a one year deal. (Matty: AARP announced as Patriots official sponsor)

Marc Savard skates and  passes neuro-psych test.. Cleared to practice..

Pirates blown away and swept in Manchester 7-2..

SeaDogs get Michael Vicked by Mets 15-3 at Hadlock.

High School scores and Highlights at mbr.org

#SABRES SIGN 2008 2ND ROUND PICK, ASSIGN TO PORTLAND #portlandpirates #ahl #nhl

Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have signed forward Luke Adam to a three-year entry level contract. The Sabres selected Adam in the second round (44th overall) in the 2008 Entry Draft. Adam will finish this season with the Portland Pirates on an AHL ATO, and his NHL contract will begin next season.

The Sabres have now locked up their top three picks from the 2008 Draft, and two of them – first rounders Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis – have already had an immediate impact in the NHL.

Adam (6’2”, 212 lbs., 6/18/1990) is coming off an impressive season with the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles where he finished second in voting for QMJHL MVP, after posting career-highs in points (90), goals (49) and assists (41) in just 56 games. He was also among the league leaders in power play goals (17), game winners (7), shots (275) and shooting percentage (17.8). The 19-year-old Adam had 26 multi-point games this season, and was held off the scoresheet just eight times.

Over his four years in the QMJHL, Adam finished with 220 points (113+107) in 236 games with Cape Breton, Montreal and St. John’s.

A native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Adam also played for the Canadian team that took home a silver medal at this year’s World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan. Adam collected eight points (4+4) in six games, and finished among the tournament’s faceoff leaders at 59%.

For breaking Sabres news and ticket information, follow us at Twitter.com/SabresdotCom

COURTESY BUFFALO SABRES

PIRATES ENNIS NAMED AHL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR #portlandpirates #ahl #sabres

PORTLAND PIRATES TYLER ENNIS (PHOTO JEFF SCHOOLS/CMSB MEDIA)

The American Hockey League announced today that forward Tyler Ennis of the Portland Pirates has been named the winner of the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie for the 2009-10 season, as voted by AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 29 member cities.

Ennis, a first-round draft choice (26th overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in 2008, leads all AHL rookies with 23 goals (tied), 42 assists and 65 points in 69 games for Portland this season. He is also second with six game-winning goals and third with nine power-play tallies. Ennis’s first four professional points came courtesy of a hat trick plus an assist vs. Hartford on Oct. 16, his first of 18 multiple-point efforts on the season. The 20-year-old native of Edmonton, Alta., represented the Pirates at the 2010 AHL All-Star Classic in Portland and was voted the most valuable player of the All-Star Game. He also scored a goal in his National Hockey League debut with Buffalo on Nov. 14 and has gone on to post three goals and five assists for eight points in seven games with the Sabres.

This award, which was first presented by the AHL in 1947, honors the late Dudley (Red) Garrett, a promising young player who lost his life during World War II while serving in the Royal Canadian Navy. Garrett split his only pro season, 1942-43, between the AHL’s Providence Reds and the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Tyler Ennis follows Nathan Gerbe as the AHL's outstanding rookie marking the first time since the mid-70's that one team has featured back-to-back rookie of the year winners. Nova Scotia featured the top freshman in 1976, 1977 and 1978.

Ennis becomes the second consecutive Portland player to win the Garrett Award, following Nathan Gerbe in 2009. Other previous winners of the Garrett Award include Terry Sawchuk (1949), Wally Hergesheimer (1951), Jimmy Anderson (1955), Bill Sweeney (1958), Roger Crozier (1964), Gerry Desjardins (1968), Rick Middleton (1974), Darryl Sutter (1980), Pelle Lindbergh (1981), Steve Thomas (1985), Ron Hextall (1986), Brett Hull (1987), Felix Potvin (1992), Darcy Tucker (1996), Daniel Briere (1998), Tyler Arnason (2002), Darren Haydar (2003), Wade Dubielewicz (2004), Rene Bourque (2005), Patrick O'Sullivan (2006), Brett Sterling (2007) and Teddy Purcell (2008).

COURTESY AHL

Mancari Back to #Pirates;Ennis Named to #AHL Rookie Team

Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today that forward Mark Mancari has been returned to the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. Mancari was recalled Sunday on an emergency basis.

Mancari leads Portland in scoring with 68 points (26+42) in 69 games, which is also good for 10th in AHL scoring. Mancari has two points (1+1) in five games during three recalls with the Sabres this season.

Portland Pirates forward Tyler Ennis was one of six played announced today by the American Hockey League as members of the 2009-10 AHL All-Rookie Team, as voted by AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 29 member cities.

Currently on recall from loan by the Buffalo Sabres, Ennis has been a fixture near the top of the AHL’s rookie scoring list all season, setting the pace in goals (23-tied), assists (42) and points (65) in 69 games for Portland. The 20-year-old Edmonton native and 2010 AHL All-Star Game MVP also leads AHL rookies with 30 power-play points (9-21-30) to help the Pirates to the league’s fourth-ranked unit. A first-round draft pick (26th overall) by Buffalo in 2008, Ennis has played three games for the Sabres and netted a goal in his NHL debut on Nov. 14, 2009.

--PORTLAND PIRATES COMMUNICATIONS--

#Pirates Beat Monarchs in Shoot-out

Nathan Gerbe and Mark Mancari scored shootout goals in support of four shootout saves by J.P. Lamoureux to lead the Portland Pirates to a 4-3 win over the Manchester Monarchs in an American Hockey League game played tonight in front of 5,642 at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Paul Byron, Tyler Ennis (who also registered an assist) and Mancari scored in regulation for the Pirates, who posted their second straight shootout victory to improve to 38-22-5-4 on the season. The Pirates never led in the game as they battled back from three one-goal deficits.

Bud Holloway, Viatcheslav Voynov and Dwight King scored for the Monarchs, who dropped their fifth straight (0-3-1-1) to sink to 34-25-3-6 on the campaign.
All the first period scoring came in a span of four minutes in the second half of the period. Holloway began the outburst only to be matched shortly thereafter by Byron’s goal to even things at one. However, 25 seconds later Voynov restored the Monarchs one goal advantage to complete scoring in the first. Ennis scored the only goal of the period to lift the Pirates into a 2-2 tie at the end of two. King put the Monarchs back up by one in the opening minute of the third but the Pirates answered for the third time in the game as Mancari tied things midway through the period to set up overtime and eventually the shootout.

The Pirates out shot the Monarchs 28-22 in the game.

The Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game were 1. Mancari, 2. Voynov and 3. Ennis.

The Pirates return to action tomorrow (Saturday) night at 7 p.m. when they travel to Lowell to take on the Devils. The game can be heard live on News Talk WLOB 95.5 FM and on line at www.portlandpirates.com beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.

--PIRATES COMMUNICATIONS--

PORTLAND PIRATES SAGA: THE FINAL ASSESSMENT

The CMSB has had a series of critics over the last 2 weeks over our various reports of the potential move of the Portland Pirates to the Albany Times Union Center. Most recently, the Albany Times Union hockey writer Pete Dougherty took us to task for reporting that the Pirates had an "agreement in principal" to move to Albany. He called our report "flat out wrong".

What you will see here next are items reported by us and verified by various people in other media reports.

• Original Story - The CMSB reported the Portland Pirates had reached "an agreement in principal" with The Albany Times Union Center "if the i's are dotted and the t's get crossed", a formal announcement could be made by the end of this week or next".This quote is from the WCSH Channel 6 web post that quoted Albany Times Union Center General Manager Bob Belber, "Belber says he agreed to all of the Pirates demands and handed Petrovek a contract to sign. But in the end he says it was clear Petrovek was using the negotiations with Albany to get a better deal in Portland." Here is the audio of that exchange, WCSH Reporter Chris Rose reporting.
  

• Owner Brian Petrovek on with Jeff Schools from The CMSB and Joe Palmeiri from The Morning Jab on 96.3 The Big Jab Thursday Morning. Brian Petrovek stated unequivocally "I had to complete the process of a negotiation in order to figure out and find out what was really there for us"

These facts are verified by the people actually involved in the negotiations. Please know that while we are an entity born out of being fans of sports and the sports media connection, we are 100% committed to following time honored traditions of the written media. Using "unnamed" sources, while in some circles is not allowed, it has become a regular way from media to get stories. We can also tell you with 100% of certainty that at the time of each report, we verified the story with MULTIPLE sources.

In the end did we live up to the headline "SOURCES: Pirates have a deal in principal with Times Union Center"? Duhaime.org is a legal site that has acclaim all over the net as a great place to get legal questions and definitions boiled down to understandable term.

Duhaime.org defining "Agreement in Principal"

Mr. Dougherty seems to be distancing himself from our reports, even though on March 2nd he said "At worst the (CMSB) report was premature". He also stated later that same day that the Pirates had legitimate interest in Albany. Mr. Dougherty stated in response to a commenter, and I quote:

I can assure you that no one is playing games here. Portland is serious in its interest in Albany, and I don’t believe the building here is being used as leverage against the Cumberland County Civic Center.

We here find it laughable someone would call our reporting "flat out wrong" when it's been verified by many involved in the negotiations as "dead-on", and to be told we're wrong when comparing scorecards is rather comical. This is our very last word on the subject.

Editor Matt Boutwell and Associate Editor Jeff Schools both contributed to this report

NEAL PRATT AND BRIAN PETROVEK IN-STUDIO

Brian Petrovek and Neal Pratt were in studio together to talk about the road that lead to the 2 year extension to the lease agreement and the future of the 2 entities and their relationship. Here is Joe and Jeff this AM.

OFFICIAL PORTLAND PIRATES AND THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY CIVIC CENTER HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT

CCCC Board of Trustees Neal Pratt speaks with Matty and Jeff




Portland, Maine – The Cumberland County Civic Center Board of Trustees announced today that they have agreed to a two-year lease extension with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League.
The extension, announced in a joint statement following the Civic Center Board of Trustees Meeting held at the Civic Center this morning, will carry the two sides through the 2011-12 season.

“We first want to thank our fans, sponsors, business leaders throughout the community, our players and coaches and the Sabres’ organization for all the support and encouragement we have received as this process unfolded,” said Pirates Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek. “We’re in a better place today than we were yesterday and that’s how I’m looking at the situation, with a focus on what we and the Trustees have in common moving forward – a desired outcome to transform the Civic Center into a state of the art facility for this community. We concluded, for a variety of reasons, that this market and the opportunities that we have before us, offer the best scenario to develop future Buffalo Sabres.”

Civic Center chairman Neal Pratt stated that “The Trustees are pleased that we were able to conclude this negotiation on a positive note. We feel strongly that the lease extension is beneficial to the parties and the community, and helps to maximize our ability to improve the Civic Center so it will continue as a strong contributor to the region, both financially and culturally.” He added that “the public nature of the negotiation helped to emphasize just how important it is for the public and private sectors to support renovations to the facility so we can remain competitive with newer and larger arenas.”

Courtesy Portland Pirates

Bob Belber Speaks to Channel 6, Confirms CMSB's original story.

PORTLAND PIRATES TO STAY IN PORTLAND

The Portland Press Herald reported late Monday that the Albany Times Union Center is "going in another direction."

The CMSB had a chance to speak to Chair of the Cumberland County Civic Center Board of Trustees, Neal Pratt Monday evening and said "..we learned of the Albany Times Union Center's decision to move forward the same as everyone, from the Press Herald." When asked if there would be any impending announcement, Pratt said "We are optimistic" and "hopeful that there will be a resolution Wednesday morning." Pratt said there will be a board meeting at 9AM Wednesday at The Cumberland County Civic Center.

The CMSB has learned from sources familiar with the negotiations that, pending board approval, The Portland Pirates will stay in Portland "for the foreseeable future." The source also stated the final offer from Pertovek an the Pirates is "far from what the original offer was" and is "much closer to the deal already in place."

Check back for updates.

Time Line

Sources:Pirates Have a Deal in Principle W/ Times Union Center in Albany

The CMSB: PORTLAND PIRATES PROPOSAL UNCOVERED

ANOTHER MANIC MONDAY TYPE LINKS

TANNER HOUSE SCORED THE GAME WINNER IN OT. (PHOTO JEFF SCHOOLS/CMSB MEDIA)

• Tanner House scored in overtime to send The University of Maine Hockey team to The TD Garden for the 1st time in years.
• The Boston Celtics did not look very good losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers 104 - 93.
• Jed Lowrie latest Sox player felled by unknown illness.
• Maine Red Claws lose to league leader Iowa 100 - 88.
• Portland Pirates lose in shootout to Springfield Falcons 5 - 4.

BRIAN PETROVEK ON 96.3 THE BIG JAB

Portland Pirates CEO Brian Petrovek calling in unannounced on the Morning Jab with Shoe and Joe.

Pirates Watch 2010:Wednesday Might be D-Day

In an interview with the Press Herald, CX4 Board Chairman Neal Pratt put a timeline for this saga to end.

"There's a regular board meeting scheduled for next Wednesday, and it is my hope we can have a deal, at least in principle, done by then," Pratt said.

The longer this goes, the more hopeful I would think everyone can be about the Pirates staying.

Also, Brian Petrovek mentioned something about the affiliation agreement with Buffalo that was announced yesterday.

"Petrovek said the length of the new deal with the Sabres still must be determined. "We're still working through how far we want to go," he said.

The road is still winding, hopefully to a conclusion sooner rather than later.

PPH:Pirates Holding Tight To Sabres

#Sabres Extend Affiliation with #Pirates Organization, No Word on Where They Will Play Next Year

The future of the Pirates in Portland might still be in doubt, but the organization's NHL affiliate isn't. The Sabres and Pirates released this statement today.

The Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League announced today that they have extended their affiliation agreement.

The Pirates are currently in the second year of their original deal with the Sabres. The new extension is a long term agreement that re-affirms the commitment between the two franchises.

“Lyman (Bullard, the Pirates Chairman/Governor) and I are thrilled to share this great news with our fans, our sponsors and the entire community, who have experienced firsthand, over the past two seasons, the quality and exciting style of Buffalo Sabres hockey at the AHL level at the Cumberland County Civic Center,” Pirates Managing Owner/CEO Brian Petrovek said. “Greater Portland has embraced a group of world class players, coaches and team staff who have been and continue to be outstanding professionals and people both on and off the ice. We’re looking forward to our future together with high hopes and expectations as we continue to do our part to help develop future Buffalo Sabres and compete for Calder Cup Championships.”

Now, did Buffalo agree to this regardless of where the Pirates are next year, or did they agree to this because they'll have an affiliate in Albany? A little over a week ago a source told us Buffalo "supported" a move to Albany.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union, who has had his finger on the pulse of this from it's infancy, got some more more info from Times-Union GM Bob Belber today, who commented on the affiliation announcement.

“It’s good that they got the affiliation extended,” Belber said. “That doesn’t mean that they’re staying in Portland. It doesn’t mean that they’re coming here."

“The decision on whether they’re staying or moving still hasn’t been made. We’re still giving them information. As of this morning, they asked for a couple of more things, which we have since provided them. We’re working hard at getting this thing done.”

You can read his full story below.

ATU:Sabres sign agreement without knowing AHL team's city

#Pirates Announce Postseason Roster

The Portland Pirates, in conjunction with the American Hockey League, announced today the 22 players listed on the team’s 2010 clear day list. The list designates the players eligible to compete in the 2010 Calder Cup playoffs.

The following players will be eligible to participate in the 2010 Calder Cup playoffs, with players in residence added as needed due to injury or recall:

Goaltenders: Jhonas Enroth, Jean-Philippe Lamoureux

Skaters: T.J. Brennan, Paul Byron, Jeff Cowan, Joe DiPenta, Tyler Ennis, Matt Generous, Nathan Gerbe, Philip Gogulla, Marc-Andre Gragnani, Mike Kostka, Brad Larsen, Mark Mancari, Cody McCormick, Dennis Persson, Kyle Rank, Drew Schiestel, Travis Turnbull, Kyle Wanvig, Mike Weber and Derek Whitmore

The next Pirates home game takes place this Friday when the Manchester Monarchs visit the CCCC for a 7 p.m. start.

Dineen Suspended 1 Game by #AHL, Will Return Immediately

The American Hockey League today announced that Portland Pirates head coach Kevin Dineen has been issued a one-game suspension as a result of his actions following a game at Syracuse on Mar. 6.

Dineen, who already missed Portland’s game vs. Rochester on Mar. 7, is eligible to return effective immediately.

The American Hockey League also announced that Manitoba Moose right wing Sergei Shirokov has been suspended for one (1) regular-season game as a result of his actions in a game at Grand Rapids on Mar. 6.

Shirokov was suspended under the provisions of AHL Rule 29.1 (supplementary discipline).

Shirokov will miss Manitoba’s game Friday (Mar. 12) vs. Rockford.

#AHL COMMUNICATIONS#