The Daily Gazette - Schenectady, NY
Daily Gazette
Online access for current print subscribers.
New subscriptions.
user:
pass:

Life was anything but easy growing up on Cutler Street during the early 1940s. At the time, the bustling street in Schenectady’s Mont Pleasant neighborhood was crowded with low-income and immigrant families. Poverty was common, and there was seldom time to do anything but work.
read more...




Gazette Holiday Parade 2009

Gazette Holiday Parade 2009

View video
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

View video
Union skates past Clarkson, 5-1, in ECAC Hockey

Union skates past Clarkson, 5-1, in ECAC Hockey

View video

State soccer tournament action
posted Nov. 22, 2009

Gazette Holiday Parade
posted Nov. 22, 2009

Dona Ann McAdams:
posted Nov. 19, 2009


Ex-Rat heading East
Thursday, July 24, 2008

Bryan Helmer, an original River Rat and member of the 1995 Calder Cup title team, signed today with the Hershey Bears.

It will be the sixth AHL stop for Helmer, 36, who has also skated with Worcester, Manitoba, Grand Rapids and San Antonio. He spent the last few seasons as the Rampage captain.

I'll be sure to give Helms a call and talk to him about the deal. When he signed his last contract with Phoenix/San Antonio, also as an unrestricted free agent, he said he came close to coming back to play in Albany again. I wonder if Carolina considered signing him, especially with how young the Rats defense will be. Come to think of it, Jay Leach, who signed with Lowell, would have been a nice addition.

Congrats to Helms, who ranks among the best players to pass through Albany, on and off the ice. He is second in career points among AHL defensemen with 454 (112-342) in 848 games, trailing only John Slaney's 519, a mark well within reach.

Helmer was often paired on defense with current Albany assistant coach Geordie Kinnear, and they remain good friends. It would have been great to see them together again.

Helmer is the second former Rat to sign with the Washington Capitals organization this month. Center Keith Aucoin inked a two-year contract, the second a one-way deal, on July 2.





Poll
How do you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving?





See the results