When you throw your Captain overboard it's called Mutiny! Only three games into the Trenton Titan's maiden voyage, the franchise's first Team Captain, Eon MacFarlane, was traded to the Birmingham Bulls for "future considerations", forced to pack his bags, hop into his truck, and drive back South. Regardless of who the Titans net for MacFarlane, the transaction will enter the books as management's first big blunder in the eyes of the fans. Trade the Team Captain after all of the wonderful hype that was generated for him? Why would they do such a thing? On Wednesday, October 20th, the Titans acquired veteran defensemen Vince Williams and Kam White. The following day, Eon was shipped out. "With the addition of the other two defensemen, we had to make room on our roster," was the reason given by Trenton's General Manager Brian McKenna, "(Eon) was the guy Birmingham wanted and unfortunately he was the guy that had to go. He's a great guy in the locker room and that made it difficult to pull the trigger. In order to get the players we needed, we had to trade Eon." What players? Future considerations?

The answer can be found only when examining the collective that operates three ECHL franchises: the Birmingham Bulls, Pensacola Ice Pilots, and Jacksonville Lizard Kings. While the teams cannot deal directly with each other, transactions between the trio and other teams in the league often get extremely interesting. Everyone in the organizations insists that the dealings of the collective remain as pure as the driven snow, but the critics aren't so sure. When you look at the entire picture, the collective received Eon MacFarlane (Bulls), Jarret Whidden (Lizard Kings), Jeff Mercer and a player-to-be-named later (Ice Pilots) from the Trenton Titans all for defenseman Vince Williams (from the Ice Pilots) and future considerations (from the Bulls and Lizard Kings). It may be weeks before the other players in the transactions are selected. Only time will decide if the Titans made good deals in terms of the team. In terms of fan relations, it may take a lot more to forgive the move.

As for the Captain: Ontario native Eon MacFarlane played four seasons of college hockey with the University of Alaska - Fairbanks before joining the ECHL for the 1998/1999 season. He began the season with the Pensacola Ice Pilots, where he played in 36 games before being traded to the Miami Matadors. Eon played an additional 21 games in Miami, finishing the season with a total of 7 goals and 10 assists in 57 ECHL games. With the Matadors ceasing operations, MacFarlane was made available in the league's Dispersal Draft, held on June 30, 1999. The Trenton Titans drafted the defenseman in the third round, less than two weeks after his 26th birthday. Two months later, he signed a contract to play for the Titans amid glowing reviews of his potential from the team's front office. At the conclusion of the Titans' training camp in early October, it appeared that Eon MacFarlane would be a cornerstone of Trenton's defense. To quote Rand Grove's article on In the Crease: 'Eon MacFarlane has impressed everyone in camp. He's the type of gritty, hard-nosed player a team can build its defense around...' The good buzz around MacFarlane reached its peak on the Titan's opening night when it was announced that his teammates and Coach Bruce Cassidy had selected him as the Trenton Titans' first Team Captain. A week later, after only three games, the mutiny occurred.

I believe that I can speak on behalf of most Trenton Titans fans in wishing Eon MacFarlane the best of luck with the Birmingham Bulls! He will always be remembered as the original Trenton Titans Team Captain, even if his tenure was cut short by treacherous management. While Eon was very enthusiastic about playing for the Titans and his role as Team Captain, he is reportedly taking the trade in stride and is happy to be back in the South.

The first month in Titans franchise history closes with a very respectable 3-3 record in the books. The Trenton Titans demonstrated that they will be a contender during the 1999/2000 ECHL season, not just another pushover expansion team. While The Hockey News predicted Trenton to dwell in the Northeast Division's basement, the Titans are off to a playoff worthy start with a 4th place division ranking (7th in the Northern Conference). The Titans have quickly assembled a roster that leaves all of the basics covered. To no surprise, Trenton is currently fourth in the league in attendance with an average of 7,211 fans over three home games.

The current goaltending tandem of Bujar Amidovski (2-1 2.02 .931) and Stephen Valiquette (1-2 3.68 .876) is one of the best in the league, despite Valiquette's slow start. Both netminders had very impressive seasons in the ECHL last year. Trenton shouldn't have any concerns in the nets as long as they are both in town, but it will be a challenge finding a good replacement if one of them gets called up. The Titans defense should be solid with the recent additions of ECHL veterans Kam White and Vince Williams. Chris Feil (+9) and Scott Kelsey have played very well on defense so far, while Anthony Cappelletti and Sergei Skrobot have done their part. Injuries have hampered defensemen Likit Andersson and Ryan Brown. The biggest concern at the moment is the depth of the offense. Cail MacLean (6 goals, 3 assists) and Mike Hall (3 goals, 6 assists) account for a large portion of production so far. Chris Masters (4 goals) and Jed Whitchurch (2 goals, 1 assist) are the only other Titans with multiple goals. Apart from the need for a slight boost in team offense, the only thing to fear is call-ups. Until then, it's full steam ahead!

Cail MacLean has been chosen as the Titanic's first Titan of the Month. When Cail MacLean was assigned to the Trenton Titans by the IHL's Orlando Solar Bears, Titans coach Bruce Cassidy knew exactly what to expect. MacLean was the top scorer on Cassidy's Jacksonville Lizard Kings during the 1997/1998 season (30 goals, 35 assists in 66 games). Last season, he produced another 29 goals and 28 assists in 40 games with Jacksonville (not to mention the 20 points in 35 games with Cassidy's Indianapolis Ice in the IHL). When paired with former Jacksonville and Indianapolis teammate Mike Hall, it was no suprise that MacLean quickly emerged as the offensive leader of the Trenton Titans. He has compiled a bountiful 6 goals and 3 assists in his first six games with the Titans, putting the biscuit in the basket in all but two of Trenton's games so far. MacLean has a +5 plus/minus and is without a single penalty. He has tallied seven points (five goals) in their last three games alone. We should be begging General Manager Brian McKenna not to answer the phone, hoping that Cail MacLean's stay in Trenton will be a lengthy one before he returns to the IHL. In the meantime, enjoy the show as he continues to light the lanterns throughout the ECHL.

While the action on the ice just began a few weeks ago, The Unofficial Web Site of the Trenton Titans is celebrating fifteen months on the internet! When I look at the calendar, it's amazing how quickly time has passed by since July 1998 when I began this web site. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest appreciation to everyone who has supported the site. First, I would like to thank the hundreds of Titans and ECHL fans who have visited my web site, signed my guestbooks, and e-mailed me. You are the ones for whom the site is intended. It is your support that makes running the site worth every minute of time (and a few bucks here and there) invested. I am also grateful for the support given by the people in the Trenton Titans organization. Titans CEO/Co-Owner Geoff Berman, President/GM Brian McKenna, and V.P. of Marketing and Sales Richard Lisk have each personally expressed their support for my site over the past fifteen months. As for the media, Staff Writer Mark Simon of the Trenton Times and Sports Director David Fenster of WIMG radio both helped spread awareness of the site back in the early days when it was the only internet presence for the Trenton Titans. The support received from Titans' Center Jed Whitchurch came as a very pleasant surprise as the team was preparing to debut. Encouragement also came from fellow ECHL fan site webmasters Amanda Saveikonis (Ice Pilots Central) and Vanessa Johnson (Pilot Pride), among others. However, most of all, I would like to thank my wife Jo Ann for supporting my elaborate hobby!

NORTHERN CONFERENCE / NORTHEAST DIVISION Still fired up from a heartbreaking loss to the Mississippi Sea Wolves in the Kelly Cup Finals, the Richmond Renegades are off to a sizzling 6-0 start. Phenomenal goaltending from Dennis Bassett (3-0 1.00 .964) and Sean Matile (3-0 1.33 .957), and excellent defense has the Renegades leading their division, conference, and league at the end of October. In their ECHL finale, the Hampton Roads Admirals (ceasing operations next season before moving to Atlantic City, NJ for 2001/2002) are off to a luke warm 5-3 start that leaves them in 2nd in the Northeast by points (but 3rd by percentage). A balanced team will ensure a playoff spot for the Admirals once again when for the season's end. Their third place standing is deceptive for the 4-1-1 Roanoke Express and goaltender Daniel Berthiaume (2-0-1 1.33 .951). They will need a bit more production from their offense to avenge last year's Conference Finals sweep by Richmond. In fourth place, the expansion Trenton Titans have the makings of a strong contender and are clearly the best of the four new teams in the ECHL this season. Their 3-3 franchise start comes with some last minute roster moves that should put their numbers in the black all the way to the playoffs. Meanwhile, the expansion Greensboro Generals need to heal a critical goaltending wound (Brent Belecki 2-6 5.63 .847) before they can improve their 5th place standing and join the playoff hunt. It's too early to judge how the team will fare with another netminder, but they have potential. The cold weather in the Northern Conference doesn't seem to sit well with the Charlotte Checkers, hanging out in the cellar with a 1-5 start. An anemic offense averaging just 2.33 goals per game is the primary cause of Charlotte's woes as they try to adjust to their new conference.

NORTHERN CONFERENCE / NORTHWEST DIVISION The Johnstown Chiefs are alive again with a 6-3 start, even if very few fans seem to notice (league worst average attendance of 2,221 through 4 home games). Center Carl Fleury is leading a Chiefs offense that is averaging 4.11 goals per game and has Johnstown in first place by points but only third by percentage. By the skin of their teeth, the Dayton Bombers have managed to post a 4-0-2 record to start the season. Luck alone will not maintain a lofty record, so expect the Bombers to drop to the middle of the pack before long. Good defense and strong netminding from Duane Derksen and Kenrick Exner has lead the Peoria Rivermen to a 4-0-1 start. They may soon rise to the top of a shaky division. In fourth place after a 4-4-1 launch, the Huntington Blizzard appear destined to hover around the .500 mark yet again. A major roster shuffle may be needed to break their monotony. Toledo's 2-3 start further clouds the Northwest picture at the end of October. The Storm could easily ignite to join a crowded pack fighting for the division lead. The only team in the Northwest Division that is off to a horrible start is the Wheeling Nailers at 0-6. A 2.17 average goal production is a good way to secure the ECHL's basement this season.

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE / SOUTHEAST DIVISION The Pee Dee Pride have picked up where they left off last season with an impressive 6-1 start. League scoring leading Dany Bousquet has notched 9 goals and 5 assists in the first seven games to lead their offense. Nipping at their heels, the Greenville Grrrowl has a 5-1 record to start the season, largely due to an explosive 5.33 goals per game average. The scoring is by committee, a good sign that Greenville is in for a much better season than last year. Third place in the Southeast Division belongs to the South Carolina Stingrays with a 4-3 record. The Concannon brothers will need to kick the offense into the next gear to inflate the win column. The Florida Everblades started the season with a 3-3 mark despite allowing only 2.17 goals per game. They will need to pad the 'goals for' column a little better to make their sophomore season a repeat of their successful 1998/1999 league debut. Off to a sluggish start with a 2-4-1 record, the Augusta Lynx need to close the holes in their defense and nets to benefit from a productive offense. Jean-Francois Damphousse has been disappointing so far in the net (0-2 5.92 .876). Meanwhile, the switch of divisions from Southewest to Southeast hasn't lifted the 2-3 Tallahassee Tiger Sharks out of mediocrity. The Sharks are in need of reliable goaltending to compliment an adequate offense. Dwelling in the Southeast basement, the Jacksonville Lizard Kings are off to a disappointing 0-4-1 beginning. The main problem: their offense has only mustered a sparse 13 goals in 5 games.

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE / SOUTHWEST DIVISION The Mobile Mysticks are off to a suprising 6-0 start, doubling the goal production of their opponents 32-16. Center Mark Turner (8 goals, 4 assists in 6 games) leads the attack for Mobile as they sit atop the Southwest Division. The perrenial powerhouse Louisiana IceGators are off to an uncharacteristic 4-3-1 beginning. So far, they lack the offensive punch (scoring and pugilism) of recent years. The Baton Rouge Kingfish have crafted a 4-2 record despite a lackluster offense and defense. They will probably be passed in the standings by a few teams before long. Defense and goaltending have helped the Birmingham Bulls to a decent 3-1-1 start this season. With good goaltending from Scott Roche and Avi Karunakar, they have held opponents to 2.80 goals per game. In the middle of the division standings , the defending Kelly Cup Champion Mississippi Sea Wolves are struggling to regain last season's form. The necessary pieces to the puzzle may be a few trades away for the Sea Wolves. It's too early to tell if they are improved from last season, but the Pensacola Ice Pilots went 2-3 for October. At the very least, they should be able to distance themselves from the basement and fight for a wildcard this season. The Jackson Bandits (formerly Chesapeake Icebreakers) are doing a little better drawing fans, but certainly not at scoring. The Bandits have been outscored 32-12 so far this season. They will need to remove the vacancy sign from their net to shake the appearance of an expansion team. Deep down in eighth place at 1-3, the New Orleans Brass are not to be overlooked. They lost a close one in front of 12,247 fans to open the New Orleans Arena. The Brass should ascend through the standings once their offense kicks into gear. The last of the rookie teams, the Arkansas RiverBlades, are lounging in the Southwest basement with a 0-5 record. The cracks in their arena's beams are the least of their problems. Arkansas has allowed 5 goals per game while only scraping for 2.40 themselves.