Posts on ‘March 19th, 2009’

According to a press release by the EPHL, the Brooklyn Aces have waived forward Mike Thomson just two days after placing him on team suspension.

Shortly afterward, Thomson was claimed by the Hudson Valley Bears.

In 42 games with Brooklyn this season, Thomson had 52 points.

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.

Rob Miller may be the Brooklyn Aces captain and a player respected for his grit and intelligence on and off the ice today, but six seasons ago, during the 2002-2003 season, he was a wide-eyed 23-year-old playing his first season of professional hockey with the Jacksonville Barracudas of the ACHL.

It was there where he first met Ron Duguay.

Scoring 45 points in 60 games that season, it still ranks as Miller’s best as a professional. Nevertheless, the memories he shared with Duguay are another big reason why he still smiles when discussing his rookie season.

“He was my coach that year and we played together,” said Miller. “He’s such a good guy.”

Playing six games with Miller that season, Duguayhis best Reggie Dunlop impersonation and scored four points as a player-coach, despite formally retiring in 1992. While those numbers alone are far from his 30-goal days with the Red Wings and Rangers, the charismatic forward, then 45 years old, proved he still had some gas left in his tank.