Chi-Town Shooters return to AAHL

ST. JOHN | So far 2011 has been one big turn of events for Darren Seid.

"I was having the time of my life," Seid said about returning to the ice to play full-time for the Battlecreek (Mich.) Revolution, which is perched in first place in the All American Hockey League.

"I didn't have to worry about coaching, and I was playing with a first-class organization."

The two AAHL seasons before, Seid was the head coach for the Chi-Town Shooters, whose home rink was Midwest Training and Ice Center in St. John.

The Shooters were champions during the AAHL's inaugural season in 2008-2009. The following season, the Shooters were the regular season champs before falling to the West Michigan Blizzard in the semifinals of the playoffs.

The Shooters opted not to return for the third AAHL season to retool as a Junior program.

"There were so many great young players who played here during their high school years, but then had to go somewhere else to play Junior hockey," Seid said. "We thought if we started a Junior team here, the players around here could stay closer to home."

Plans for a Shooters Junior team are still in the mix for 2011-2012. But now the Shooters are back in the AAHL, and Seid has been called on to coach them again.

"It was a tough decision," said Seid, who was offered to come back on Dec. 28 and is now scrambling to get the team ready for its first returning game this Friday away against the Lapeer (Mich.) Loggers.

"I mean I loved being in Battlecreek, but coaching is where I'm going to make it in this sport. Plus, I thought it would be good for the league, the players and the community to continue to have pro hockey here."

The Shooters in essence are taking over for the Indiana Blizzard, the former West Michigan franchise that moved to Midwest this season before folding. The Shooters inherit most of the Blizzard players, including former Shooter forwards Jim Stussy and Shane Ferguson, and defensemen Brian Jacque and Zach Kane, who is the cousin of Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane.

Another former Shooter, forward Josh Laliberte, has also rejoined the team.

The Shooters also inherit the Blizzard's record (5-5-1), which due to canceled games, has them in last place according to points behind the Revolution, the Loggers (2nd), the Troy (Ohio) Bruins (3rd) and the Queen City (Ohio) Storm (4th).

"It's going to be an exciting challenge to try to get out of last place and make the playoffs," Seid said. "We have 14 weeks to get it done. We have our first practice Monday (Jan. 3). I can't wait."