The week started off slow in the AHL, but quickly picked up as the days went on. Talented forwards were traded, a former MVP was signed, and a coach is on the move. Here’s an update from around the AHL.

Bruins-Blackhawks Swap AHLers

The Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks announced Thursday that they’ve traded a pair of minor leaguers. The Bruins sent talented forward Pascal Pelletier to the Blackhawks in exchange for another talented forward, Martin St. Pierre.

Pelletier, 25, spent the majority of the 2007-08 season with the Providence Bruins. Pelletier recorded career-highs in goals (39), assists (38) and points (75). His 75 points were good enough to finish ninth in the league. He also posted 12 points in 10 playoff games with Providence. Pelletier has appeared in 206 career AHL games – all with Providence – registering 71 goals and 99 assists for 170 points.

St. Pierre, 24, spent the 2007-08 season with the Rockford IceHogs. He finished second scoring for the second straight season with 21 goals and 67 assists for 88 points in 69 games. St. Pierre added 14 points in 12 playoff games for Rockford. St. Pierre has appeared in 229 career AHL games with Rockford, Norfolk and Edmonton, registering 75 goals and 192 assists for 267 points.

Bears Sign Two Defensemen

The Hershey Bears announced Wednesday that they’ve signed defensemen Bryan Helmer and Greg Amadio to contracts for the 2008-09 AHL season.

Helmer, 36, appeared in 66 games with the San Antonio Rampage, registering five goals and 15 assists for 20 points. In 848 career AHL games with Albany, Worcester, Manitoba, Grand Rapids and San Antonio, Helmer has registered 112 goals and 342 assists for 454 points. Helmer also appeared in 134 NHL games with St. Louis, Vancouver and Phoenix.

Amadio, 27, spent the 2007-08 season with the Binghamton Senators. In 50 games with the Senators, Amadio recorded two assists and 120 penalty minutes. In 208 career AHL games with Binghamton, Iowa, Grand Rapids and Manitoba, Amadio has scored three goals and 12 assists for 15 points and 486 penalty minutes.

Red Wings Sign Darren Haydar

The Detroit Red Wings, parent club of the Grand Rapids Griffins, announced Wednesday that they’ve signed Calder Cup champion Darren Haydar to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2008-09 season.

Haydar, 28, spent the 2007-08 season with the Chicago Wolves and scored 19 goals and 39 assists for 58 points in 51 games. He added 12 goals and 15 assists in 24 playoff games, en route to a Calder Cup championship. Haydar has appeared in 417 regular season games with Chicago and Milwaukee, registering 170 goals and 286 assists for 456 points. Haydar has won two Calder Cups (2004, 2008), one MVP award (2007), one scoring title (2007) and league rookie of the year honors (2003).

Penguins Looking For New Coach

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are looking for a new coach this week after head coach Todd Richards was named an assistant coach of the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday. Richards had served as head coach of the Penguins the previous two seasons, leading the team to a 98-45-5-8 record and two playoffs appearances, with a trip to the finals this past season.

“Todd Richards has done a tremendous job for us in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and we congratulate him on this great opportunity to coach in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks,” said Ray Shero, general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. “We already have begun our search for a new head coach in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and can assure our fans that the Penguins will continue to play an exciting brand of hockey in 2008-09.”

Ducks Sign Eric Boguniecki

The Anaheim Ducks, parent club of the Iowa Chops, announced Monday that they’ve signed forward Eric Boguniecki to a two-way contract for the 2008-09 season.

Boguniecki, 33, spent the 2007-08 season with the ERC Ingolstadt in Germany. He last spent time in the AHL in 2006-07 with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers when he scored 22 goals and 32 assists for 54 points in 48 games. Boguniecki has scored 120 goals and 144 assists for 264 points in 235 career AHL games with Louisville, Worcester, Syracuse and Bridgeport. He’s also appeared in 223 NHL games, recording 51 goals and 70 assists for 121 points.

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