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2013-14 Players
Mathieu Brisebois, No. 7Age: 21 Position: Defense
Height: 5-11 Weight: 195
Hometown: Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec
History: Signed as a free agent, Brisebois spent part of his first season in the QMJHL with the old Lewiston Maineiacs. He scored 36 goals and had 95 assists during his final two seasons with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the Q.
Coach's Comment: "Matty led the Quebec League in scoring as a defenseman," Portland Coach Ray Edwards said. "We’re looking for him to be a puck mover and hopefully create offense. He’s going to have to really work at defending."
Mathieu Brodeur, No. 6Age: 23 Position: Defense
Height: 6-6 Weight: 215
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
History: Selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the third round of the 2008 NHL entry draft, Brodeur has five goals and 20 assists in two full seasons with the Pirates.
Coach's Comment: "He’s going to have to be a leader for us," Edwards said. "He’s going to have to play big minutes. He’s going to play hard, physical, smart and simple. Just be a solid guy for us back there."
Darian Dziurzynski, No. 26Age: 22 Position: Left wing
Height: 6-1 Weight: 204
Hometown: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
History: Selected by Phoenix in the fifth round of the 2011 NHL entry draft, Dziurzynski scored nine goals and had seven assists as a rookie for the Pirates last season.
Coach's Comment: "We want him to take another step this year," Edwards said. "He had a great rookie year. We think he can create more offense, but he has to play a hard, physical fast game. Be hard on the puck. Be a good forechecking player."
Brandon Gormley, No. 36Age: 21 Position: Defense
Height: 6-2 Weight: 200
Hometown: Murray River, Prince Edward Island
History: Selected by Phoenix in the first round of the 2010 NHL entry draft, Gormley scored five goals and had 24 assists as a rookie for the Pirates last season.
Coach's Comment: "Gorms is taking a leadership role here," Edwards said. "He’s going to play in all situations He’s going to play big minutes. He’s going to play against top players. He’s going to run our power play."
Kyle Hagel, No. 14Age: 28 Position: Right wing
Height: 6-1 Weight: 208
Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario
History: Signed as a free agent, Hagel, a Princeton grad, scored two goals and had four assists and received 172 penalty minutes while playing in the AHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs last season.
Coach's Comment: "His role is going to be providing energy, providing stability in our lineup," Edwards said. "He’s obviously a tough player. He’s got to take care of that part of the game as well. He’s a guy we can use in a regular-shift type situation."
Brett Hextal, No. 24Age: 25 Position: Right wing
Height: 5-10 Weight: 190
Hometown: Philadelphia
History: Selected by Phoenix in the sixth round of the 2008 NHL entry draft, Hextall, son of former NHL goalie Ron Hextall, scored nine goals and had six assists in 66 games with the Pirates last season.
Coach's Comment: "He’s got to be a player who gets under a team’s skin," Edwards said. "He’s got to draw penalties. Hopefully, he can provide us with some offense. He’s got a helluva shot, so we want to get him to shoot the puck a little bit more."
Tim Kennedy, No. 13Age: 27 Position: Center
Height: 5-10 Weight: 176
Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
History: Selected by Washington in the sixth round of the 2005 NHL entry draft, Kennedy, who put up 67 points in 73 games with the Pirates during the 2008-09 season, has played a total of 34 NHL games with different teams.
Coach's Comment: "Tim’s got to be an offensive leader for us," Edward said. "He’s got to play 200 feet. He should be a guy who can produce. That’s why we signed him. He’s got to help us on the power play and make other players around him better."
Phil Lane, No. 22Age: 21 Position: Right wing
Height: 6-3 Weight: 203
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
History: Selected by Phoenix in the second round of the 2010 NHL entry draft, Lane scored 14 goals and had eight assists in 70 games as a rookie with the Pirates last season.
Coach's Comment: "He’s a hard, physical, real reliable power forward," Edwards said. "He’s going to play in a lot of situations. Phil may see some power-play time this year because he can play the net front. He’s a very trustworthy, reliable guy."
Mike Lee, No. 31Age: 23 Position: Goalie
Height: 6-1 Weight: 190
Hometown: Roseau, Minn.
History: Selected by Phoenix in the third round of the 2009 NHL entry draft, Lee compiled a 2.72 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage in 16 games as a rookie with the Pirates last season.
Coach's Comment: "We saw what he’s capable of last year, and he’s got to build on that," Edwards said. "It’s going to be a real battle for our goaltenders to see who is going to get the net, keep the net and play big games for us. He’s a real competitor. He finds the way to stop the puck."
Mark Louis, No. 17Age: 26 Position: Right wing
Height: 6-4 Weight: 230
Hometown: Ponoka, Alberta
History: Signed as a free agent by the Pirates in 2011, Louis had three assists as a defenseman last season, is making the transition to forward.
Coach's Comment: "We’re trying to figure out what he’s going to do for us," Edwards said. "Is he going to play D or is he going to play up front? He’s probably going to do both. Whatever he’s doing, he’s got to be a physical guy."
Jordan Martinook, No. 18Age: 21 Position: Center/wing
Height: 6-1 Weight: 202
Hometown: Brandon, Manitoba
History: Selected by Phoenix in the second round of the 2012 NHL entry draft, Martinook had nine goals and 10 assists in 53 games as a rookie with the Pirates last season.
Coach's Comment: "He’s got to be a player who can play in all situations, 200 feet," Edwards said. "He’s going to be a match-up guy. He’s going to have to be good in the faceoff circle. He’s got a rocket of a shot, and he’s got to get in places to get the puck away."
Brandon McMillan, No. 15Age: 23 Position: Left wing
Height: 5-11 Weight: 190
Hometown: Richmond, British Columbia
History: Selected by Anaheim in the third round of the 2008 NHL entry draft, had eight goals and five assists in 41 games in an injury-marred season with the Norfolk Admirals last season.
Coach's Comment: "Mac is a real reliable player," Edwards said. "You can use him in all situations. For him to be effective, he has to be really hard on the puck and be tenacious. If we don’t have the puck, he’s got to find a way to get it back."
James Melindy, No. 4Age: 19 Position: Defense
Height: 6-3 Weight: 186
Hometown: St. John’s, Newfoundland
History: Selected by Phoenix in the third round of the 2012 NHL entry draft, Melindy had 19 goals and 40 assists in 162 games during three seasons with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats.
Coach's Comment: "For James to be successful, he’s going to have to be a simple player and get back quick for pucks," Edwards said. "Be a smart guy and be physical. He’s going to have to have an identity of being a hard player to play against."
Andy Miele, No. 21Age: 25 Position: Center
Height: 5-8 Weight: 180
Hometown: Grosse Point, Mich.
History: Signed a free agent, Miele, 2011 Hobey Baker Award winner as college hockey’s top player, has a total of 36 goals and 74 assists in two seasons with the Pirates.
Coach's Comment: "He needs to take another step this year," Edwards said. "Last year, he really worked hard on defending. I think Andy can score more. What we’re working on this year is he’s going to be a guy who finds a way to be a little more selfish offensively."
Connor Murphy, No. 28Age: 20 Position: Defense
Height: 6-3 Weight: 210
Hometown: Dublin, Ohio
History: Selected by Phoenix in the first round of the 2011 NHL entry draft, Murphy, a former member of the U.S. National Development team, scored 12 goals and had 21 assists in 74 games over two junior seasons with the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League.
Coach's Comment: "He’s had a real good camp (in Phoenix), and now he’s got to show that he can be a consistent player down here," Edwards said. "He’s got to be a physical guy. He’s got to play hard. He’s got to be smart with his stick."
Tobias Rieder, No. 9Age: 20 Position: Right wing
Height: 5-11 Weight: 190
Hometown: Landshut, Germany
History: Selected by Edmonton in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL entry Draft, scored 107 goals and had 123 assists in 209 games over three junior seasons with the Kitchener Rangers in the Ontario Hockey League.
Coach's Comment: "He’s another first-year player, but he can play in all situations," Edwards said. "He’s got a good skill set. He can create offense. He’s smart, intelligent player, but he’s going to have to learn to compete at high level."
Brendan Shinnimin, No. 16Age: 22 Position: Center
Height: 5-10 Weight: 185
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
History: Signed as a free agent, Shinnimin, who led the junior Western Hockey League in scoring in 2011-12, scored 12 goals and had 21 assists in 74 games as a rookie with the Pirates last season.
Coach's Comment: "Last year, he led our team in minors (penalties), so this year he’s got to be better defensively, smarter with the puck," Edwards said. "I think he can create offense for us, but for him to really take a step this year he’s got to be trustworthy."
Jordan Szwarz, No. 10
Age: 22 Position: Right Wing
Height: 6-0 Weight: 202
Hometown: Burlington, Ontario
History: Selected by Phoenix during the fourth round of the 2009 NHL entry draft, Szwarz, who was hampered by a shoulder injury last season, has a total of 18 goals and 35 assists in two seasons with the Pirates.Coach's Comment: "He’s not a flashy player, but any coach knows what his worth is because he does all the little things so well," Edwards said. "He gets every puck out. He’s hard on the puck. He can win faceoffs for you. He’s a great penalty killer. He can produce."
Daine Todd, No. 3Age: 26 Position: Defense
Height: 5-10 Weight: 170
Hometown: Red Deer, Alberta
History: Signed as a free agent, Todd had 23 goals and 30 assists in 87 games during four seasons with the University of New Brunswick.
Coach's Comment: "Coming in, we see an offensive guy who hopefully can help us move the puck on the power play," Edwards said. "He can be a guy who can create offense from the back end. Where Daine is going to have to work is defending and using his intelligence to defend."
Keven Veilleux, No. 19Age: 24 Position: Right wing
Height: 6-5 Weight: 224
Hometown: St. Georges-de-Beauce, Quebec
History: Selected by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2007 NHL entry draft, Veilleux scored 16 goals and had 27 assists while playing 90 games over three seasons with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Coach's Comment: "He’s got some skills," Edwards said. "He’s had some injury issues for the past few years, and we’re trying to work with him to see if he can be a big, strong, physical forward for us."
Mark Visentin, No. 29Age: 21 Position: Goalie
Height: 6-3 Weight: 205
Hometown: Waterdown, Ontario
History: Selected by Phoenix in the first round of the 2010 NHL entry draft, Visentin compiled a 2.98 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage as a rookie with the Pirates last season.
Coach's Comment: "Vis has the potential to take over the number one job," Edwards said. "Vis is a first-round pick, and he may get the opportunity early to try to take that, and it’s going to be up to him to get it, keep it and hold it."
Ethan Werek, No. 8Age: 22 Position: Left wing
Height: 6-2 Weight: 205
Hometown: Markham, Ontario
History: Selected by the New York Rangers during the second round of the 2009 NHL entry draft, Werek scored 11 goals and had 14 assists while playing 67 games for the Pirates last season.
Coach's Comment: "If he continues to improve on the role we need him to play and the identity we want him to play with, he should be a power forward that can produce," Edwards said. "He can do stuff on the power play. He’s got really good hands. On the other side of it, he’s got to play hard, he’s got to be tenacious on the puck and he’s got to be good on the boards."
Brandon Yip, No. 32Age: 28 Position: Right wing
Height: 6-1 Weight: 200
Hometown: Maple Ridge, Ok.
History: Selected by Colorado during the ninth round of the 2004 NHL entry draft, Yip scored six goals and had nine assists while playing a total of 59 games in the NHL with the Nashville Predators during the last two seasons.
Coach's Comment: "The way he’s going to have an impact is through work and second effort," Edwards said. "Driving the net and being a power forward. He’s got a really good shot. He needs to play a fast game, a good checking game."
Coaching staff
Ray Edwards, Head CoachA native of Hanover, Ontario, Edwards is embarking on his third full season as a head coach of an AHL team. Last season he guided the Pirates, who remained in contention for a playoff spot until the final game of the season, to a 36-31-4-5 record. He took over as coach of the San Antonio Rampage - affiliate of Phoenix until the switch to Portland - during the 2009-10 season.
Edwards, 42, played seven seasons for three ECHL teams, compiling 83 goals, 91 assists and 1,253 penalty minutes in 309 games. In 1996, he began his coaching career as a player/coach for the ECHL's Huntington Blizzards.
John Slaney, Assistant CoachA native of St. John's, Newfoundland, Slaney is in his second year as a coach after 20 professional seasons as a player. In 2001 and 2002, he received the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL's top defenseman. Slaney, 40, led the Philadelphia Phantoms to the Calder Cup championship in 2005.
Mike Minard, Goalie CoachA native of Owen Sound, Ontario, Minard, 35, was the senior instructor at the Grainger/Minard Steel City Hockey Goaltending School in Stoney Creek, Ontario, after playing 13 professional seasons. In the 1999-2000 season, he stopped 33 of 36 shots while recording a win for Edmonton in his only NHL game.
Mike Booi, Athletic TrainerA native of Lake Odessa, Minn., Booi, 30, is in his second season with the Pirates. After earning a degree in kinesiology from Michigan State and a masters in athletic training at Kentucky, Booi spent the 2010-11 season as the trainer for the ECHL's Greenville Road Warriors.
John Krouse, Equipment ManagerA native of Rome, N.Y., Krouse is in his fifth season as equipment manager of Phoenix's AHL affiliate. When he was 19, he became head trainer for the Winston-Salem Polar Bears in the old Southern Hockey League. In 2004, while with the Pensacola Ice Pilots, he was named ECHL equipment manager of the year.
Alex Loh, Video InternAlex Loh returns to the Pirates after serving as the video intern during the 2012-13 season. A graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Loh spent two seasons as the head coach of the varsity hockey program at People's Academy in Morrisville, Vt., and a season as an assistant coach at Colby College before joining the Pirates.