"New" Aeros Team Meets the Press..

Just back from a press conference with the 'old' as in Jim Mills and Joe O'Donnell,
the 'new' as in Mike Yeo, Darryl Sydor and Brian Wiseman, but all about the AEROS.

Now let's see.. the average age of the 3 newbies is 38, with Yeo at 37, Sydor at 38 and Wiseman at 39.
Between them they have 2 Turner Cups, 3 Stanley Cups, several Eastern and Western Championships and other kudos (Frozen Four, Memorial Championship, NHL ALL Stars, etc.).

Only Yeo and Wiseman have some coaching experience, while Sydor defintely leads in NHL playing experience with almost 1300 NHL games in 18 seasons.

So it comes to no surprise that the coaching team (I should - maybe- include Bob Mason -goalies coach, primarily located with the Wild) is eager and hungry for success.

Yeo, who charmingly explained that he always wanted to be a great coach and always studied his coaches' actions after games at night, alone in his hotel room, feels he and his team have THE system ready.
A system that will rely on fast, physical and aggressive playing - in other words (will THAT be this seasons slogan?) "IN YOUR FACE HOCKEY"! Fans ought to love THAT!

Now that strikes a chord.. Opera in the Heights has been offering: "IN YOUR FACE OPERA"!

And it's a good thing, just to rub it in!
Baseball, football and soccer, golf and tennis fans, even Lacrosse fans
Houston has IN YOUR FACE HOCKEY" - just saying.
Plus TWO morning games to nurture and expose the kiddies to this game of fast action and young hot athletes! Season ticket holders donate yours to your kids! Because YOU work at that time anyway!

Further, Yeo, explained that he and Wiseman will work on power play skills;
Wiseman will work also with the forwards;
while Sydor will concentrate on honing the defense and penalty kills.
As already mentioned  Mason will do double duty as goalie coach,
but I get the feeling, HE will be mostly up at the Wilds.

Which means that Khudobin (must find new petname for "Dimples" as would be suitable for his responsible position) is expected to exemplify experience and work ethics opposite the young quality prospect goalie Hackett, and eventually Kuemper (The Darcy Vader of successful plays end of 2009/10!).

Possible NHL'ers were named , even as they may play with Aeros, such as Wellman, Cuma, Palmer, Prosser, Broda.  Scandella, whom we all know from previous seasons was slightly injured during the Wild Camp and not displaying much other than his BROAD shoulders :-D!
Bagnell and Peters are looked to be the providers of veteran experienced leadership, which, it is hoped, will augur well for this season's AEROS.

Others slated in Yeo's eyes for leadership:
Noreau, "Ironman" (is our Max finally getting the recognition he so deserves?) and Mc Millan ("MacAttack") and the separate but special talents of Kassian ("The Kassassinator"- let's hope marriage will not mellow HIS aggressive play).
OOOPS, FALK is the marrying one, unless Kassian is sneaking it past!

On asking (by yours truly) about Jean Michel "The Scrapper" Daoust and Chad Rau"WOW", Sydor admitted he had not seen them play at camp, but... if Daoust plays as a fearlessly and with his usual "ice sense", he MOST definitely will be a good fit with Yeo's aggressive system.
Rau, not a flashy player, might probably provide the solid, intelligently played, backbone for the young team.

Anyway, enthusiasm and mutual respect among the staff from Mills on down is rampant and palpable!
It just might turn the tide for AEROS to stage a comeback to Championship, even Cup level.

And that IS music to my and all fans's ears, n'est pas?

The competition within Texas (Aeros-Rampage-Texas Stars) is to continue, and the new opponent in Oklahoma City is expected to deliver extra spice into the stew!

Words is out that the team is working on offering a special package (air, hotel AND Wild/Blues game ticket) to season ticket holders for that February game in Minnie, or the ticket holder may elect to receive extra ticket to a home game of his/her choice