Hurricanes - PR

THE RED MILE IN CALGARY IS GETTING READY TO BE LIT AGAIN
Mayor Dave Bronconnier insists the "Red Mile" will be all season long

The Calgary Hurricanes are in training camp and getting ready for an eventful season with high expectations. The team is back with the top trio of Markus Naslund, Bill Guerin and Shawn Bates, all whom were the top 3 scorers in the league and among the top 5 in plus\minus ratings last season.

Off-season acquisitions have seen the additions of Shawn Endicott and Rod Brind'Amour to the lineup. Some notable changes include the retirement of goaltender Sean Burke, the all-star goaltender who led the Calgary Hurricanes to the TFHL Cup 2 seasons ago. Replacing him will be a duo combination of rookie Tobias Stephan, a promising goaltender who showed a lot of potential last season backing up Burke, and the goalie expected to get most of the starts and mentor Stephan, Frederic Cassivi.

On the back end, All-Star defenseman Janne Niinimaa is gone, however notable improvements include the emergence of Andy Delmore who is expected to form a terrific duo with one of the league's top defensemen in Chris Pronger.

"I think people will look at our team and realize we are still that high-octane scoring machine we've been the last couple of seasons, and then have a look at our goaltending to see that as a weakness. I don't doubt we are one of the best teams in the league, we have incredible leadership and skill in guys like Guerin, Naslund, Pronger and Matvichuk. Our young guys like Ruggeri, Endicott, Svitov and York show we have more depth as well. This is going to be a good
season and I think we'll see a changing in the guard for goaltending on this team. Its going to get exciting." said Marc Crawford as he left the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary.

Who's In:
Rod Brind'Amour (acquired via free agency)
Shane Endicott (acquired via trade)
Francis Bouillon (call up from minors)
Frederic Cassivi (call up from minors)

Who's Out:
Sean Burke (retired)
Steve Passmore (minors)
Janne Niinimaa (traded)
Toby Petersen (minors)
Ivan Ciernik (minors)
Marty Reasoner (minors)


2004 Calgary Sun