There are seven players with Chilliwack ties skating in the North American minor-pro hockey ranks.
Here’s how they’ve done in recent games.
ECHL Stockton Thunder: Thomas Heemskerk
The Chilliwack native is currently with the Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks.
Heemskerk hasn’t played since Dec. 26.
In 13 games with the Thunder, the 21-year-old has a record of 8-5-0 with a 3.22 goals-against average and .894 save percentage.
At 18-18-1-3, the Thunder are third in the four-team Pacific division.
AHL Abbotsford Heat: Ryan Howse and Roman Horak
The Abbotsford Heat were busy last week, playing four games and winning one. The two ex-Chilliwack Bruins on their roster were not nearly so busy.
Ryan Howse did not appear in any of the games. He is currently sidelined with an upper body injury.
Horak dressed Wednesday night in a 5-0 loss to the visiting Chicago Wolves, finishing -3 with three shots on goal.
Howse last played on Jan. 6.
In his rookie season in the AHL, the Prince George native has zero points with five penalty minutes and a -5 plus/minus rating.
Horak has spent his first pro season bouncing between the Heat and the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames.
In his three games for Abbotsford, the 20-year-old Czech has one assist.
In 42 games with the Flames, Horak has two goals, nine points, 14 penalty minutes and a +4 plus/minus rating.
The Abby Heat have some time off during the AHL all-star break, returning to action Feb. 2 at Rochester.
AHL Adirondack Phantoms: Brandon Manning
Former Chilliwack Bruins captain Brandon Manning is skating for the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers.
The Phantoms played four games last week.
Adirondack beat Albany 3-2 on Friday. Manning made his presence felt, picking up five minutes for a fight with 30-year-old minor-pro vet Chad Wiseman.
Manning went pointless with four shots on goal in a 2-1 loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Saturday.
The 21-year-old assisted on a Mike Testwuide strike in a 4-3 loss to the Binghamton Senators on Sunday, and fought ex-Vancouver Giants nemesis J.D. Watt in 5-1 loss to the Manchester Mondarchs on Wednesday.
In 16 games for the Phantoms this year, Manning has one goal, three points, 41 penalty minutes and a -5 plus/minus rating.
Adirondack hosts Bridgeport Sound Friday night, and visits Albany Saturday before taking time off for the AHL all-star break.
AHL Albany Devils: Myles Stoesz
The original Chilliwack Bruins tough guy hasn’t suited up for an AHL game since Dec. 10.
AHL Connecticut Whale: Randy McNaught
Another former Chilliwack Bruins enforcer, McNaught signed a contract with the Whale last week, but has yet to suit up for an AHL game.
That may happen this weekend as the Whale play home games against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday and the Springfield Falcons on Saturday.
After that, McNaught and company take the all-star break off before returning to action Feb. 3, at home versus Albany.
AHL Worcester Sharks: Curt Gogol
A heavy schedule saw Gogol’s Sharks play four games over the last week.
Gogol did not suit up Friday night in a 3-2 loss to the Providence Bruins, but was back in the lineup Saturday as Worcester won the rematch, 3-2 in overtime. Gogl had two shots on goal in the win.
The Calgary native was pointless with one shot on goal in a 3-2 loss to the visiting St. John’s IceCaps on Sunday and picked up four penalty minutes (tripping and roughing) in a 4-2 loss to the Springfield Falcons on Wednesday.
In 30 games with Worcester this year, Gogol has four goals, six points, 90 penalty minutes and an even plus/minus rating.
The Sharks visit the Manchester Monarchs Saturday before taking a few days off for the AHL all-star break.
Gogol and company are back in action Feb. 3, visiting the IceCaps.
