Omaha Knights

It’s a brand new campaign for the Wolves, starting with a game against a new rival, the Ak-Sar-Ben Knights'. The Knights are getting some great media coverage in Omaha, in part due to the inspired invitation of Gordie Howe, to the opening festivities.

Howe, 77 years old now, was a former Knight before making it to the big game. More than 1,000 fans are reported to have stood in line to meet the NHL great.

The Knights marketing effort is based in part on recalling the days when another Knights played in Omaha. Known now more for fanatical football than hockey, the club is also being heavily advertised as an affiliate of the Calgary Flames.

The Knights themselves are a recreated St. Johns Flames, St. Johns not having played a hockey game since the 2002-3 campaign. That team won the 2001 Calder Cup at home against the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Several of the Knights staff were previously with the Mississippi Sea Wolves and the Beaumont Wildcatters. The Omaha World-Herald reports equipment manager Greg Sieg left Mississippi just prior to Katrina landing, while Rita effected athletic trainer D.J. Amadio.

The Flames sent Brent Krahn down to fill the pipes this week. The Knights had been concerned about their lack of strength there, especially following a food poisoning of prospect goalie Paulo Colaiacovo earlier this week. Krahn has time in the NHL at Calgary and the AHL in Lowell and San Antonio. At Lowell last year he racked up a 20-11-2 record, with 6 shut outs and a 2.49 average. Back-up goalie for the game is Curtis McElhinney.

Craig MacDonald played for Florida and Boston in the NHL recently, as well as putting in time in Lowell and San Antonio. MacDonald will be wearing the C for the team.

Brett Palin will be moving up from the juniors this year to play for the Knights. He helped the Kelowna Rockets take home the Memorial Cup twice while playing defence.

Richie Regehr is the younger brother of Robyn Regehr. Also from Kelowna, he played with the Lock Monsters last season, he finished in the top ten in team scoring with a goal and seven points in eleven games during the Calder Cup finals.

Eric Nystrom was the captain of the 2004-5 University of Michigan team. He is also the son of Bob Nystrom.

Cam Severson is an alum of our friends the Sads. Playing 63 games, he racked up 255 Pims in 2004-5.

Brandon Prust was on the London Knights 2005 Memorial Cup team. He has 174 Pims in just 48 games.

Defenceman Steve Marr played for the WHL Medicine Hat Tigers in 2004, helping them in a bid for the Memorial Cup.

The ECHL affiliate of the Knights is the Las Vegas Wranglers.

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