Week In Review, Friday May 27th

To wrap off the week and give you a little bit more to chat about this weekend, here's the highlights from around the league this week.

1. FHL announces 8th team as New Jersey Outlaws. Whalers fans particularly interested to find out that Chris Firriolo, who resigned from his job as Danbury's Head Coach at the end of the season, has been announced as the team president. 
2. Outlaws announce their first signing to be Matt Puntereri. Puntureri was integral to the Aviators mammoth win streak in the latter half of the season, and was also listed as one of their protected players. The Outlaws claimed that he was traded their way for cash and future considerations. Must have been a fat chunk of change to get the Aviators to let go of one of, if not their most important offensive player. 
3. Rome not coming back. The Frenzy announced very quietly that they would not be returning for a second FHL season. This was hinted at rather subtly in the Outlaws press release stating that New Jersey was the eigth, not ninth, team in the FHL. Further, a fan of their facebook page posted a copy of the paper letter announcing the official death of Rome. (Sorry Whalers fans, no more chances to start a Rome is burning! chant this season). 
4. Danville signs its first 3 players. Igor Batora, Peter Babkovic, and Lukas Jirkovsky are the first 3 players to sign with Danville. Still very skeptical as to the survivability of this franchise, what with being so very far away from the rest of them. 
5. Corey Fulton attends Whalers off-season Party. For those of you who missed it, Fulton was in fact in attendance at the Whalers party this past weekend at Two Steps. That's commitment, gotta love this guy. (If other word wasn't enough, that should be confirmation enough he's back)
6. Nick Niedert re-signs with the Whalers. The Whalers announced officially this past week that Niedert had signed a contract to continue playing with the Whalers for the 2011-2012 season. Unofficially, word is that he's already signed a 4 year deal with the team. He's on the record numerous times saying he wants to finish his career with the Whalers, so don't expect him to go anywhere anytime soon. 
7. Joe Dabkowski re-signs with the Whalers. The Whalers announced within the last 24 hours that Dabkowski, known affectionately to Whalers fans as Super Joe, will be returning for the 2011-2012 season. Perhaps one of the biggest surprises out of training camp in the first season, I can't wait to see him back. If nothing else, Dabkowski brings sheer heart to the team night in and night out, and you can't buy that. Obviously wants to be here, and the fans are more than happy to have him.
8. Cape Cod Barons change name to Bluefins. Announced via their facebook on Friday afternoon. 

Have a good weekend everyone! Back Monday AM with more.