Around the League: ECHL 3/15/10

We're a little late to the game on this one, but we simply had to post about it.

Thomas Beauregard, who currently sits at 6th of the goal leaders in the ECHL, was traded to the last place Johnstown Chiefs from the Wheeling Nailers and has refused to report to his new team.

The Johnstown Chiefs are moving to South Carolina next season, and the trade with Wheeling was part of their effort to rebuild for 2010-2011. The Chiefs gave up a promising Jordan Morrison in the trade that they hoped would be a boost to the struggling team but ended up without a star player. The Chiefs had three options: they could suspend Beauregard without pay, trade him before the deadline, or wait to see if their newly acquired star decided to grow a pair and join the team. Apparently, Beauregard was stunned by the trade, but if there's one thing we've learned in Utah this season, it's that no one is too great or too essential to be traded. Period. However, it doesn't sound like Beauregard got that memo . . .

Fortunately, the Johnstown Chiefs were willing to man up when Beauregard didn't. They passed him off to the Elmira Jackals before the March 12 team deadline.

And now for the rest of your ECHL headlines . . .


American Conference
NORTH:

The Cincinnati Cyclones (39-21-1-2) are closing in on a playoff berth, which could happen with a win over Johnstown on Thursday.

Former Grizzly Patrick Asselin, now of the Kalamazoo Wings (36-18-5-3), extended his current scoring streak to 5 games with an assist on Friday.

The Toledo Walleye (31-26-2-4) may have lost their last 4 games, but goalie Richards is keeping them afloat.

The Wheeling Nailers (29-29-2-4) played their last game at Johnstown's War Memorial this weekend.


EAST:

Tyler Donati of the Elmira Jackals (34-21-4-2) has set the new team season scoring record with 94 points.

Stefano Gillati of the Reading Royals (31-27-1-3) was named ECHL player of the week for March 1-7.

Jeff Prough currently leads the Trenton Devils (28-26-4-5) in points tallying 10 in his last 5 games.

Thomas Beauregard refused to report to the Johnstown Chiefs (16-36-7-4) after being traded by the Nailers. Seriously, dude? (He's since been traded to the Jackals.)


SOUTH:

The South Carolina Stingrays (37-17-6-6) are guarenteed a playoff spot in the American Division.

The Charlotte Checkers (35-20-4-3) have acquired Trevor Hendrix and Mike Bartlett from the Johnstown Cheifs in exchange for future considerations.

The Florida Everblades (34-21-4-5) picked up Parker Van Buskirk in a trade with the Stingrays - think this means we'll be seeing Parker back in Utah soon? (kidding . . . kind of.)

Tim Miller of the Gwinnett Gladiators (28-28-4-3) pushed his scoring streak into the double digits over the weekend to a career best of 10 games.



National Conference
PACIFIC:

The Bakersfield Condors (32-25-4-1), who have held the top spot in the Pacific Division for most of the season, were swept this weekend by the Wranglers.

The Las Vegas Wranglers (30-26-4-3) are currently in the midst of a 4 game winning streak, including a sweep of the Condors at home.

Rookie Chris D'Alvise of the Stockton Thunder (28-24-2-7) is turning out to be priceless for his team.

Jon Rheault of the Ontario Reign (27-26-3-6) picked up his first hat trick with the team on Sunday.


WEST:

The Idaho Steelheads (42-13-1-4) have clinched the division title in the National West.

The Victoria Salmon Kings (31-26-4-2) added forward Jeff Lynch to their roster last Friday.

The Alaska Aces (29-26-3-4) have added two new faces to their roster: winger Jarrett Konkle and goalie Josh Johnson.

The Utah Grizzlies (28-25-3-5) will be hosting the Hanson Brothers, most well known from the movie Slap Shot, on March 27.