Sports

Ahl notebook

The Edmonton Oilers have returned former Penguins player Jean-Francois Jacques to the AHL after the big winger went scoreless in nine NHL games.

Jacques, who played for the Penguins last season under the player-loan agreement, shrugged off his latest demotion.

“You get used to it – part of the job,” Jacques told the Springfield Republican after returning to the Falcons. “Of course you have to keep a good attitude, keep your head up and continue to work hard to help the team.

“Sometimes they make a change because of an injury. Sometimes it’s because of the way you’re playing. Whatever the reason, there’s always something to work on to make yourself a better player.”

Jacques has never had a problem being effective at the AHL level, putting his 6-foot-4, 214-pound frame to good use.

As a rookie he scored 24 goals for the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Last year he posted 27 points in 29 games for the Penguins.

This season he had three points in four games with Springfield before being recalled.

So far, that success has not translated to the NHL.

In 53 games with Edmonton during parts of three seasons, Jacques has failed to register so much as a single point.

The Oilers replaced Jacques with another former Penguin – Robert Nilsson.

Nilsson, who came over in the Ryan Smyth deal at the trade deadline last February, has split time between Edmonton and Springfield this year.

“Going up or coming back is just part of player development,” Falcons coach Kelly Buchberger said. “That’s always going to be the case, but we’re fortunate that the players who come to us from the parent club have a great attitude about it. When there’s a change, there’s no disruption with what we’re trying to do here as a team.”

AHL eyes Austin, Texas

The AHL is hoping to eventually have three teams in the Lone Star State, with Austin joining San Antonio and Houston.

The Austin franchise would be the top affiliate of the Dallas Stars and would bring the AHL to 30-30 parity with the NHL.

“They are certainly a front-runner as far as a potential new franchise,” AHL president Dave Andrews told the Winnipeg Sun. “The new building is a couple years away, but we have strong interest in (the market) because it’s a great fit with San Antonio and Houston. Of the markets that are out there, I would say it would be a priority for us.”

Downie returns for Philly

His month-long AHL suspension up, Philadelphia’s Steve Downie was eligible to suit up for the Phantoms on Saturday night.

Downie received a 20-game NHL suspension for his hit on Ottawa’s Dean McAmmond during the preseason. There was some speculation that Downie would just go to the AHL and play during the suspension, but league president Dave Andrews quickly moved to suspend Downie as well.

In the interim he’s been practicing with the Phantoms.

“I’m happy for him,” Phantoms coach Craig Berube told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “He’s excited to get back, being out for that long. He was having a good camp, and I expect him to pick up where he left off.”