AHL North Division News: August 2023

As the 2023 AHL offseason trudges along, news involving the upcoming season continues to trickle out. From signings to schedule changes, teams have been able to keep themselves busy. Below is what you may have missed in August.

Preseason Games

For those who cannot wait until October 13^th to watch hockey, have no fear. The North Division has three preseason games on the schedule. Syracuse Crunch, Rochester Americans, and Utica Comets fans will be able to get their hockey fix a week before the 2023-24 season kicks off,

October 5 – Syracuse Crunch at Rochester Americans – 7:05 pm

October 6 – Rochester Americans at Utica Comets – 7:00pm

October 7 – Utica Comets at Syracuse Crunch – 5:00 pm

Belleville Senators

In partnership with Belleville-based digital marketing agency Big Red Bow, the Belleville Senators revamped their website and made it more user-friendly. The update allows fans to easily find information such as the latest news, tickets, and schedules of events and games.

Fans will also be able to access the new season ticket member account portal through the new site.

Check out the refreshed website here.

The Sens announced their promotional schedule for the 2023-24. Some of the highlights are 90s Night (10/28), Hockey Fights Cancer (11/18), the Teddy Bear Toss (12/9), Indigenous Communities Night (12/28), Women in Hockey Night (2/10), and Pride Night (3/2).

Click here for the entire promo schedule.

Fans looking for Belleville single game tickets through January 20, 2024 can purchase them right now. However, tickets for the back half of the 2023-24 season will go on sale November 20, 2023 at 10:00 am.

On August 15, the Sens announced their newest community learning initiative, Belly’s Book Club. Eighteen local libraries in Hastings, and Lennox & Addington counties have partnered with Belly’s Book Club to reinforce the importance of reading and literacy. This is also a great opportunity for kids and their families to visit their local libraries.

Per the team’s press release:

Here’s how Belly’s Book Club works:

Step 1: Visit your local participating library and pick up a Belly’s Book Club reading log sheet, to track your progress, along with an exclusive bookmark. Throughout the month, write down the books you’re reading and how long you read them for each day.

Step 2: At the end of each month, bring your completed log sheet back to your local library.

Step 3: When log sheets are returned, you’ll be provided with a link and a promotional code, to receive one free ticket to a Belleville Senators game, with the purchase of another ticket.

Step 4: Do it again next month!

Learn a bit more about Belly’s Book Club here.

Cleveland Monsters

On August 18, the Cleveland Monsters hosted their annual ‘Back to School Bash’ with Immaculate Cleaning. Students from Stepstone Academy received backpacks and supplies for the upcoming school year. Incoming students also received haircuts/braiding and dinner.

“We were thrilled to team up with Immaculate Cleaning once again for our Back to School Bash,” said Monsters Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ben Adams. “It has been amazing to watch this event continue to evolve over the years and help get the kids ready both in and out of the classroom for another great school year.”

Cleveland also announced six changes to their home schedule for the 2023-24 season.

Date Changes:

• The Monsters’ home game originally scheduled for Thursday, February 1, vs. the Chicago Wolves at 7:00 p.m. will now be played on Friday, February 2, at 7:00 p.m.
• The Monsters’ home game originally scheduled for Sunday, February 11, vs. the Charlotte Checkers at 12:00 p.m. will now be played on Saturday, February 10, at 7:00 p.m.
• The Monsters’ home game originally scheduled for Thursday, March 21, vs. the Hershey Bears at 7:00 p.m. will now be played on Friday, March 22, at 7:00 p.m.

Time Changes:

•  The Monsters’ home game on Saturday, January 20, vs. the Lehigh Valley Phantoms will now be played at 7:00 p.m.
• The Monsters’ home game on Saturday, February 3, vs. the Chicago Wolves will now be played at 1:00 p.m.
• The Monsters’ home game on Saturday, March 2, vs. the Chicago Wolves will now be played at 3:00 p.m.

You can see the whole 2023-24 schedule here.

On August 24, it was announced that Captain Dillon Simpson had accepted a job as Assistant Coach for the University of North Dakota effectively ending his professional career as a player.

“I’ve been very fortunate to play with great players, for great coaches, and in great organizations. I have nothing but fond memories of my career,” said Simpson of his time as a professional hockey player.

Keep an eye out over the next few weeks for an interview Simpson did with Full Press about his retirement.

On August 25 & 26, the Monsters hosted their second annual Kivi Day in honor of the late goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks. Cleveland’s front office staff held a day of service on the 25^th, where they assisted in the repainting of three locker rooms in the Michael A. Reis Rink. On Matiss’ birthday, August 26^th, a goalie clinic was held for kids from ages 8-10 at the Brunswick Auto Mart Arena.

Around The AHL

• AHL Releases 2023 Preseason Schedule
• 5 AHL Players Who Retired This 2023 Offseason
• AHL Pacific Division News : August 2023
• AHL North Division News: August 2023
• AHL Central Division News: August 2023

Laval Rocket

At the beginning of August, forward Nolan Yaremko signed a one-year, two-way AHL contract with the Laval Rocket for the 2023-24 season. He tallied two goals and three assists in 12 games with Laval last season.

You can see who else has signed with the Rocket during the offseason in our 2023 Laval Rocket Offseason Tracker.

On August 21, Laval unveiled their promotional schedule for the 2023-24 season. There will be 11 theme nights for fans to enjoy such as Disco Night (11/4), the Teddy Bear Toss (12/9), and Old Time Hockey Night (3/8).

Also in August, the Rocket launched its community relations programs for the 2023-24 season.

Per the organization’s press release :

“LAVAL (August 28, 2023) – The Rocket is proud to get more involved every year in the Laval community.

 Through numerous programs and initiatives, the team wishes to strengthen its commitment to the community.

 The Rocket will visit five schools as part of its Read For Fun program this season. Several players will visit young elementary school students to talk to them about their school journey and read them a story. The Rocket’s collaboration with local schools is an integral part of the team’s commitment to future generations. The school perseverance game in collaboration with the Read For Fun program will take place on January 13^th.

 The Rocket will visit four local arenas to skate with young hockey players as part of the Rocket Hockey Tour program. The goal of the program is to provide teams with typical Rocket training. A lucky team will have the chance to practice at Place Bell with several players. The minor hockey game in collaboration with the Rocket Hockey Tour will take place on February 3.

 Several hospital visits are scheduled this season. It is important for members of the organization to establish links with children and provide them with support. Players will give gifts to all of them and spend a lot of time with them.

 Two community theme nights will take place this season. The Hockey Fights Cancer game will take place on November 17^th. Also, the Teddy Bear Toss game in partnership with the Service de police de Laval remains a source of great pride for the team. The teddy bears thrown on the ice will be donated to several organizations in the region.

 The Laval Rocket is proud to partner with the city of Laval for its first ever blood drive at Place Bell. This will be the 50th edition of the Laval blood drive. The Rocket is proud to partner with the city of Laval and Héma-Québec for this event.

 A new tradition will begin this season, when the Rocket will sign the city of Laval’s “Livre d’or”. The signing of the “Livre d’or” is a way to highlight the beautiful union between the city of Laval and the Laval Rocket. This signature will be made for the launch of the 2023-2024 season. The head coach, the captain and his assistants will be there to immortalize this moment.

 The Rocket officially launches its partnership with Hockey Laval. Four AAA teams from Hockey Laval will wear jerseys and will therefore represent the Rocket during their hockey season. The identity of the Rocket is rooted in its community, and it is a source of pride for the Rocket to establish this link with the Rocket junior de Laval. Several implications between the two parties are planned this season.

 The Rocket also announces the launch of a partnership with the Club de la médaille d’or. The two organizations share the same values of excellence and perseverance. The Club de la médaille d’or puts in place all the necessary resources for the development of athletes and it was important for the Rocket to get involved and help in the development of athletes as well.

 During the six seasons of the Rocket, the team has donated more than $700,000 to several non-profit organizations in Laval and surrounding areas. Donations are made possible through the 50-50 lottery on game days, as well as the ticket and merchandise donation program. The Rocket will continue its donation involvement again this season.

 As the seventh season of the Rocket approaches, The Rocket’s goal remains the same, which is to continue the work that begun in 2017 by growing alongside the Laval community.”