Shots from the Point

According to Drinnan, the Ams picked up the rights to MacKenzie Royer from Moose Jaw:

The Tri-City Americans picked up the rights to F MacKenzie Royer, 19, after he was dropped by the Moose Jaw Warriors. Royer, a second-round bantam draft selection by the Calgary Hitmen in the 2007 bantam draft, put up 11 points in 35 games last season — 16 with the Hitmen and 19 with the Warriors.  (Taking Note)

So not a big point producer, maybe to fill a 3rd line grinder role that is currently held by Mason Wilgosh.  UGH I don't want to talk about it (losing Mason).  They just got his rights, he'll still have to prove himself in camp, so I guess we'll wait and see.

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In the same Drinnan article he makes note of former American Logan Stephenson and his brother, Shay:

F Shay Stephenson (Red Deer, 2000-04) and younger brother D Logan Stephenson (Tri-City, 2001-06) signed tryout contracts with Jesenice (Slovenia, Austria Erste Bank Liga). Shay did not play last season while Logan had two goals and three assists in 43 games for the Adirondack Phantoms (AHL). In 2009-10, Shay had six goals and 13 assists in 36 games with the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL) and four goals and two assists in seven games for Vålerenga Oslo (Norway, Get Ligaen).

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Speaking of former Americans, I'd be remiss not to mention the latest from Minnesota.  Aaron Boogaard has been arrested in connection with his brother Derek's death.  I worded that wrong, like he has something to do with killing him, that's not the case.  From the Star Tribune:

The brother of Derek Boogaard had control of the addictive painkillers that the onetime lovable Minnesota Wild tough guy was taking until his overdose death and that he destroyed the pills before authorities found the body, according to charges filed Friday.
Aaron Boogaard, 24, was charged with third-degree sale of a controlled substance, a felony, and interference with a death, a gross misdemeanor. He remains in the Hennepin County jail pending a court appearance, possibly Monday.

Also, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on the Canadian national from Regina, Saskatchewan, for suspected immigration violations.

The younger brother said that he went the next day to pick up brother Ryan Boogaard at the airport. Aaron Boogaard returned to the apartment and found his brother unresponsive. A 911 call was made. But before emergency personnel arrived, Aaron Boogaard said, he flushed down the toilet the remaining pills that he had been holding for Derek Boogaard.

After Aaron Boogaard's arrest but before the charges were made public, a lawyer for the family issued a statement, saying in part: "One thing is certain, the charges brought against Aaron have nothing to do" with Derek Boogaard's death. (Star Tribune)

The article goes on to say that Aaron was trying to control the amount of drugs his brother was taking. It's going to be interesting to see how this unfolds. And if you want to read a really spectacularly written piece about Derek, check out this bit from Hockey Wilderness. Seriously, read it.