Weekend notebook: 32 reasons to be thankful | TheAHL.com

📝 by Patrick Williams

Thanksgiving in the United States has long had a special meaning in the hockey world.

Six weeks after opening night, the holiday provides a natural point at which to take stock of the season so far. Is that team off to a hot start for real? Is a slow open to the campaign nothing more than that, something that can be reversed with a strong post-holiday run?

Off the ice for AHL front offices, the days before and after Thanksgiving have long been counted on as box-office successes.

Players, no matter where they have come from, look forward to a home-cooked meal with their teammates and adopted families. AHL teams that are on the road make sure to have a feast prepared for their players and staff. For many teams, that fourth Thursday in November means a light practice day or perhaps a day away from the rink completely.

The Providence Bruins celebrated their hold on first place in the AHL with a meal in Syracuse before they face the resurgent Crunch tonight and Saturday. Before a pair of games this weekend in Hartford with the Wolf Pack, the Hershey Bears headed to a local country club to stock up on calories.

But beyond the good food and abundance of action this weekend across the AHL, the holiday is a time to slow down and give thanks. Going into a busy weekend of play, here is a team-by-team look at what all 32 AHL clubs can be thankful for this year.

ABBOTSFORD
🏒 With 35-goal scorer Sheldon Dries spending most of the season so far in Vancouver, forward Lane Pederson has been a welcome addition to the AHL Canucks. Pederson came to the organization from Carolina in an Oct. 28 deal and has immediately injected offense into the Abbotsford lineup. Going into today’s road matinee in Calgary, Pederson has totaled seven goals in nine games for Abbotsford, six of them coming during a current five-game scoring streak.

BAKERSFIELD
🏒 Condors defenseman Michael Kesselring, a 2018 sixth-round draft pick by the parent Edmonton Oilers, has been one of the AHL’s top breakout stories this season. The second-year pro out of Northeastern University has scored seven goals already, tied for the league lead among blueliners. Kesselring’s progression will be something for Edmonton fans to watch closely.

BELLEVILLE
🏒 A barrage of injuries to several key players has forced the Senators to lean heavily on depth and stretch players’ capabilities. Through it all, Belleville has managed to stay within sight of the North Division’s top…