2005-06 Regular Season

The 2005-06 season began full of intriguing storylines, mainly surrounding the league’s front office, where commissioner Darryl Byrd was still under investigation for potential mob connections. However the focus was on the ice as the season began, particularly on the west coast, where the Oakland Nuggets took huge strides in their rebuild. In his second season, Justin Ramsey scored 91 points while Andreas Ekbom enjoyed a successful rookie season. The big moment for the Nuggets came in November, when goaltender Kevin Washer broke his ankle, forcing the Nuggets to start undrafted rookie Travis Sweet. Sweet was spectacular, turning in one of the best goaltending performances in league history with an incredible 16 shutouts. Sweet went on to win rookie of the year, becoming the first goaltender to do so since John Gage in 1982. The Nuggets finished eighth in the Western Conference to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Meanwhile, just south of the Nuggets, the Los Angeles Wizards also made their triumphant return to the post-season thanks largely to an early season trade that saw longtime Wizard Ilya Sakharov dealt to the Cleveland Cosmos in exchange for defenseman Hendrik Soderstrum. Soderstrum, just entering his prime at 25 years old, anchored the LA blueline while superpest Isaac Hart amped up his antics in his first season in purple and orange. Hart terrorized the stars across the Western Conference, at one point drawing a two-game suspension for tossing Randy McAllen’s stick into the crowd in a game against Seattle. Hart also embraced the LA life, hanging out with celebrities and even appearing on talk shows. Hart would even dance for the crowd after a win, instantly making him a fan-favorite. In the middle of all this, he also managed 43 points to finish second in team scoring as LA finished fifth in the West.

In Edmonton, Kris Nazarenko was feeling the pressure after signing one of the richest deals in PHL history. Nazarenko struggled early on, scoring only three assist in his first ten games, leading to scathing scrutiny from commentators across the country. His frustration boiled over in a game in Vancouver. After fighting Vancouver’s Devan Wolfe, Nazarenko engaged in a yelling match with some Bighorns fans and drew a one-game suspension after spraying water at them. Something seemed to click for the big center after the suspension, he finally scored his first goal of the year on November 4, launching a goal streak that would last into January, one of the longest in league history. Nazarenko finished with 92 points, fifth in the league, as Edmonton won the North Division.

Out East, the Long Island Concordes enjoyed a big year from Ilya Rusakivich. Rusakivich finished second in PHL scoring with 100 points while leading the Concordes to first place in the Eastern Conference, their first time winning the conference in 16 years. Goaltender Chris McNally played a big part as well, making his first career all-star appearance and finishing second in Whyte Trophy voting. The Cleveland Cosmos returned to the post-season thanks in large part to the acquisition of Ilya Sakharov from LA, while Jason Ferland rebounded from his personal problems to lead Atlanta back to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. Ferland’s big year was remarkable after he had spent half of the 2004-05 season serving a jail sentence. The team arranged for him to live with veteran winger and team captain Alyn Bryant, who proved to be a valuable mentor. Ferland played the entire season sober, earning him the Fred Garfield trophy for dedication to the game.

Despite Ferland’s strong play, the South Division was won by Carolina, while the newly relocated Houston Roughnecks failed to climb out of the division basement. The year had had an interesting start for the Roughnecks, who were still in the process of moving from New Orleans when Louisiana was hit by Hurricane Katrina. With the Jewel Center being used as a relief facility, many of the Rounghneck players who were still in New Orleans eagerly helped out around the community. The team actually delayed the start of its training camp so the players could settle into their new home after staying behind to help out. In the midst of a difficult first season in Texas, there were some bright spots. Rookie Derek Ewin scored 36 goals and appeared in the all-star game. Ewin played on a line with team captain Mike Bidden, who, having begun his career in Halifax in 1992, was the only player to play for the franchise in all three locations. In Detroit, the Mustangs endured their worst season in years, but there was a certain optimism around Motor City, as the fans knew the team had to bottom out so it could be rebuilt. The Mustangs held a fire sale at the trade deadline, dealing almost anyone of value. Star forward Andrei Alexeev was traded to Carolina for goaltender prospect Cameron Carr and forward Brandon Sweetwater, while veteran defenseman Magnus Olsson was dealt to Milwaukee for two promising young players, Jonathan Keller and Luke Wilkerson. Finally, the Mustangs sent Mikael Forsberg to Kansas City for a first round draft pick. “We made some tough decisions and said goodbye to some beloved players, but I think we’re setting ourselves up for a bright future” said GM Jack McCoy.

The Minnesota Lumberjacks were accused of being too sentimental during the off-season, especially after signing longtime captain Jason Crowley to another deal when many felt the team should rebuild.

The Lumberjacks believed they could chase one last title if they kept the team intact, but age had finally caught up to them. The ‘Jacks sat six points out of a playoff spot at the trade deadline. Though the playoffs were in reach, a championship seemed extremely unlikely. On the eve of the deadline, Crowley approached GM Paul Wilson and requested a trade. Crowley wanted Minnesota to be able to acquire assets to start a rebuild, while he would chase one last cup. Wilson agreed and began shopping his franchise player around. The Dallas Desperados won the sweepstakes, acquiring Crowley for a first round pick and center Alexander Andreyev. Crowley and Wilson were both overcome with emotion at the farewell press conference. “I never wanted to leave here” said Crowley. “But I love this team and for them to have a chance to win in the future, I had to go.” Over 3,000 Minnesota fans showed up at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to say goodbye to their captain. Two nights later, the hockey world witnessed a bizarre sight, as Crowley donned black and yellow for the first time, scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 win over St. Louis. Unfortunately, Crowley was injured in his fourth game with the Desperados and would miss the remainder of the regular season, though he was hopeful to return in time for the playoffs. “Jason was a big addition for us” said Dallas coach Willy Rowe. “We know these things take time but we hope he returns soon. I think he has another run left in him.”