Houston Aeros Photos

The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team, currently playing in the American Hockey League (AHL). Because this is a “minor league” (as opposed to the NHL), ticket prices are very reasonable and it is easy to get to watch the games. I'd recommend a game as a great evening's entertainment. The season runs from October through April at the Compaq Center. Ticket prices range from $10 to $50. Here are some of the photos that I've taken at the games.

Please note that the copyright on all of these images is held by me. If you'd like to use the images for any particular purpose, please ask my permission first. You can contact me at photography [at] noegruts [dot] com

The individual player names listed here are hyperlinked to the excellent Hockey Database. You should be able to click on each player's name to obtain detailed statistics on that individual player. Many thanks to Ralph Slater and all the contributors for an excellent resource.

April 8, 2001, vs Milwaukee Admirals

Sandy Moger (22) and Shawn Carter (10) congratulate each other after Moger scores. Brett Harkins (44) and Jeff Tory (4) assist on the goal. Tom Chorske (17) gets a +1.

Shawn Carter (10) handles the puck behind the Milwaukee goal while the Admiral's goaltender, Chris Mason (30), guards against the wrap-around.

The crowd go nuts as Jeff Tory (4) and Brad Williamson (27) join the celebrations after Bobby Reynolds (21) scores from assists by Sandy Moger (22) and Barry Dreger (23).

Defenseman Barry Dreger (23) fights off one of the Milwaukee forwards as Aeros' goaltender Frederic Chabot (30) watches the puck.

Sandy Moger (22) screens the Milwaukee goaltender as defenseman Pavel Skrbek (54) moves in.

April 21, 2001, vs Manitoba Moose

The officials try to restore order as tempers flare and the players pair off. Brett Harkins (44) and B.J. Young (39) exchange gardening tips while Jeff Tory (4) and Rusty Fitzgerald (47) look on. Steve Brule (12) takes a shove from Rudy Poeschek (20).

Brett Harkins (44) wins the face-off as Tom Chorske (17) and Scott Hollis (26) race for the puck.

Shawn Carter (10) wins another face-off for Houston and holds off the Moose center Doug Ast (18). Bobby Brown (15) and Paul Dyck (3) are the other Aeros in shot.

Brett Harkins (44) and Sean Pronger (19) battle for another face-off as Jimmy Roy (21) tries to get in front of the net. Tom Chorske (17), Sandy Moger (22) and Shawn Carter (10) defend the Aeros' goal. Sean Pronger is the younger brother of Chris Pronger, the St. Louis Blues' defenseman.

Shawn Carter (10) battles for the face-off. The Aeros' “enforcer” and fan favorite Greg Walters (29) waits for the puck.

Sean McCann fights off an unidentified Moose forward (42) while Barry Dreger (23) waits to receive the pass.

May 2, 2001, vs Manitoba Moose

Defenseman Rudy Poeschek (20).

Winger and “enforcer” Greg Walters (29).

Defenseman Barry Dreger (23) takes a slap-shot from the right point as Sean McCann (7) looks on.

The Moose captain, Brian Chapman (22), clears the puck after a scramble in front of the net.

May 3, 2002, vs Hershey Bears

The following photos were taken with my almost five-year-old digital camera. It really isn't suited at to this kind of photography at all, but some of the photos actually turned out OK. As usual, click on each thumbnail for a larger image:

...and here are some of the photos I took with my 35mm SLR. Note that I use an old Pentax P30 camera, usually with a 70-210mm zoom lens. Both exposure and focus are controlled manually so getting them both spot-on is always a challenge :-)

Goaltender Derek Gustafson (34).

Winger Greg Crozier (27).

Winger Jason Shmyr (36).

Center Brendan Yarema (20).

Winger Greg Crozier (27).

Goaltender Jamie McLennan (29).

Goaltender Jamie McLennan (29), defenseman Travis Roche (7), winger Greg Crozier (27), center Brett McLean (15) and center Shawn Carter (10) taking the faceoff.

Center Shawn Carter (10) faces off against the Bears' center Kelly Fairchild (21). The other Aeros is AHL All-Star defenseman Curtis Murphy (14).

Krefeld Penguins

Ex-Aeros Sandy Moger and Paul Dyck are now playing for the Krefeld Penguins (you can also view the page translated into English by Google) in Germany. The Penguins fan club also has a web site here (English translation)

Here are some photos from their game against the Dusseldorf Metro Stars on September 13, 2002:

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