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BROADCAST

RADIO

All Condors games are available on the official radio home of the Condors, Fox Sports AM800, driven by Three-Way Chevrolet. Broadcasts begin with Condors Countdown, 15 minutes prior to puck drop.

ONLINE RADIO

All Condors games are available through the iHeartRadio App (Fox Sports 970 AM), driven by Three-Way Chevrolet. The app is available on all phones and tablets. Broad casts begin with Condors Countdown, 15 minutes prior to puck drop.

FEATURE STORY

ROSIE RETURNS

ryan Holt | bakersfield condors

The 25th Season of Condors hockey begins tonight with the honoring of legend Paul Rosebush. Rosie played parts of seven seasons in Condorstown and ranks fourth all-time in scoring with 239 points and is second all-time in games played at 416. He is the team’s leader in penalty minutes with 900 in his illustrious Condors career.

Rosie recently caught up with us for a chat about his time in Condorstown over the past two decades.

Q: What have you been up to since retiring?

Rosie: I’ve worked in the environmental industry since retiring. Over the past 16-17 years I’ve worked for three different biological consulting companies and been fortunate to make a career out of that field.

Q: And the family must be doing great?

Throughout the course of the season, the Condors will recognize alums for their contributions on and off the ice in Condorstown. From those who are still in town mentoring the next generation of Condors fans to those around the globe, the reach of Condorstown can be felt worldwide.

Rosie: Been having a lot of fun watching my son (Nolan) play junior hock ey here in town for the Bakersfield Roughnecks, my youngest daughter is playing high school volleyball, and my oldest daughter is at Bakersfield College looking to get into psychology. It’s pretty exciting times in the Rosebush house.

Q: What are your favorite memories in this building?

Rosie: Man, I wish I could do it all over again. I had a chance to watch my son practice here recently from the Zamboni door and I remember looking up and thinking how special it was to play here. One specific memory was a hat trick against San Diego with my family in attendance. That’s a memory I’ll certainly carry with me.

Q: How have you seen the growth of hockey and specifically youth hockey here in Bakersfield grow over your post-playing days?

Rosie: We’re fortunate to have a lot of really good people, specifically alumni involved in the youth programs here in town and it’s great for these kids to be exposed to and playing such a great game.

Q: Alumni have had a huge role on the game here in Bakersfield, but how special is the bond between those who have stuck around here in Condorstown?

Rosie: We still hang out often, not just at work, but whenever we find time to get a game together here at the arena. A lot of the alums are still together coaching. It’s a pretty cool thing to still have that many guys here in town.

For more on this interview and others throughout the season, head to Condors. TV.

2022-23 AHL TEAM MAP

Abbotsford Canucks

Bakersfield Condors

Belleville Senators

Bridgeport Islanders

Calgary Wranglers

Charlotte Checkers

Chicago Wolves

TEAM INFORMATION

Bakersfield Condors

Arena: mechanics bank Arena

Capacity: 8,751

NHL Affiliate: Edmonton Oilers

Head Coach: colin chaulk

abbotsford canucks

Arena: ABBOTSFORD CENTRE

Capacity: 7,046

NHL Affiliate: VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Head Coach: Jeremy Colliton

coachella valley

Arena: Vacrisure arena

Capacity: 11,000

NHL Affiliate: seattle kracken

Head Coach: dan bylsma

henderson silver knights

Arena: dollar loan center

Capacity: 5,567

NHL Affiliate: vegas golden knights

Head Coach: Manny Viveiros

San Diego Gulls

Arena: PECHANGA ARENA SAN DIEGO

Capacity: 12,920

NHL Affiliate: Anaheim Ducks

Head Coach: Roy Sommer

tucson roadrunners

Arena:Tucson Convention Center

Capacity: 7,440

NHL Affiliate: Arizona Coyotes

Head Coach: Jay Varady

calgary wranglers

Arena: scotiabank saddledome

Capacity: 19,289

NHL Affiliate: Calgary Flames

Head Coach: mitch love

Colorado Eagles

Arena: Budweiser Events Center

Capacity: 5,289

NHL Affiliate: Colorado Avalanche

Head Coach: Greg Cronin

Ontario Reign

Arena: toyota arena

Capacity: 9,491

NHL Affiliate: Los Angeles Kings

Head Coach: marco sturm

San Jose Barracuda

Arena: SAP Center

Capacity: 6,123 (curtained)

NHL Affiliate: San Jose Sharks

Head Coach: Roy Sommer

texas stars

Arena: h-e-b center at cedar park

Capacity: 8,000

NHL Affiliate: Calgary Flames

Head Coach: neil graham

POSITION: CENTER SHOOTS: LEFT HEIGHT: 5’10” WEIGHT: 183

DOB: 10-18-1993

HOMETOWN: ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, USA

LUKE ESPOSITO

POSITION: LEFT WING SHOOTS: LEFT

HEIGHT: 5’9” WEIGHT: 180 DOB: 04-27-1999

HOMETOWN: EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CAN

JAMES HAMBLIN

POSITION: CENTER SHOOTS: LEFT HEIGHT:

HOMETOWN: ST. THOMAS, ONTARIO, CAN

GREG McKEGG

POSITION:

10

13

POSITION: RIGHT WING

SHOOTS: RIGHT

HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 172

DOB: 10-22-2002

HOMETOWN: L’ISLET, QUEBEC, CAN

XAVIER BOURGAULT

POSITION: CENTER

SHOOTS: LEFT

HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 205

DOB: 12-8-1992

HOMETOWN: DANDERYD, SWEDEN

MATTIAS JANMARK

POSITION: RIGHT WING SHOOTS: RIGHT

HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 198

DOB: 08-31-1998

HOMETOWN: CANMORE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CAN

NOAH

PHILP

POSITION: CENTER

SHOOTS: RIGHT HEIGHT:

HOMETOWN:

DINO

POSITION:

HOMETOWN:

WEIGHT:

FILIP ENGARAS

POSITION: LEFT WING SHOOTS:

HEIGHT:

HOMETOWN:

KLIM

43

POSITION: RIGHT WING SHOOTS: RIGHT HEIGHT: 5’9” WEIGHT: 185 DOB: 01-04-1993

HOMETOWN: WALLACEBURG, ONTARIO, CAN

SETH GRIFFITH

POSITION: CENTER SHOOTS: RIGHT HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 187 DOB: 08-06-1998

HOMETOWN: HUNTINGTON WOODS, MICHIGAN, USA

DRAKE RYMSHA

POSITION: LEFT WING SHOOTS: LEFT HEIGHT: 5’10” WEIGHT: 193 DOB: 01-23-2002

HOMETOWN: ST. ALBERT, ALBERTA, CAN

CARTER SAVOIE

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN SHOOTS: LEFT HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 203 DOB: 06-25-2001 HOMETOWN: OREBRO, SWEDEN

PHILIP BROBERG

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN SHOOTS: RIGHT HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 195 DOB: 06-09-1998 HOMETOWN: DORVAL, QUEBEC, CAN

JASON

41

47

50

3

POSITION: CENTER

SHOOTS: LEFT

HEIGHT: 6’2” WEIGHT: 207

DOB: 04-10-1997

HOMETOWN: MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CAN

SAMUEL DOVE-McFALLS

POSITION: RIGHT WING SHOOTS: RIGHT

HEIGHT: 5’10” WEIGHT: 165 DOB: 04-05-2002

HOMETOWN: WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CAN

TY TULLIO

POSITION: CENTER SHOOTS: RIGHT

HEIGHT: 6’4” WEIGHT: 210

DOB: 09-24-2000

HOMETOWN: CHAMBLY, QUEBEC, CAN

RAPHAEL LAVOIE

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN

SHOOTS: LEFT HEIGHT: 6’5” WEIGHT: 203 DOB: 06-08-1998

HOMETOWN: TEMPERE, FINLAND

MARKUS NIEMELAINEN

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN SHOOTS: RIGHT

HEIGHT: 6’5” WEIGHT: 215 DOB: 01-13-2000

HOMETOWN: MANCHESTER NEW HAMPSHIRE, USA

MICHAEL

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN

SHOOTS: LEFT HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 187 DOB: 09-30-1995

HOMETOWN: ST. LAURENT, QUEBEC, CAN

YANNI KALDIS

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN SHOOTS: LEFT HEIGHT: 6’4” WEIGHT: 220 DOB: 07-02-1996

HOMETOWN: BLYTH, ONTARIO, CAN

ALEX PETERS

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN SHOOTS: LEFT HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 191 DOB: 03-18-1999

HOMETOWN: HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CAN

DARIEN KIELB

POSITION: GOALIE CATCHES: LEFT HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 210 DOB: 04-15-1992

HOMETOWN: MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK, CAN

CALVIN PICKARD

POSITION: MASCOT DRUMS: RIGHT HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 198 DOB: 10/23/1998

HOMETOWN: BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, CA

COLONEL CLAW’D

25

42

29

33

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN

SHOOTS: RIGHT

HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 211 DOB: 02-12-1999

HOMETOWN: GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT, USA

PHIL KEMP

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN

SHOOTS: LEFT

HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 203 DOB: 12-13-1995

HOMETOWN: ELMIRA, ONTARIO, CAN

ADAM BRUBACHER

POSITION: GOALIE CATCHES: LEFT

HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 194 DOB: 10-3-1999

HOMETOWN: THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CAN

RYAN FANTI

POSITION: GOALIE CATCHES: LEFT HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 175 DOB: 07-06-2000

HOMETOWN: CHICOUTIMI, QUEBEC, CAN

OLIVIER RODRIGUE

MATTHEW RILEY Team President

Riley is responsible for the growth and development of KG (US) Oilers Corp. and the Bakersfield Condors, the organization he has guided since its inception in 1998. Riley serves on the AHL’s Board of Governors, and various league committees. He was previously the vice chairman for the ECHL Board of Governors, and served on the league’s Executive Committee.

He was instrumental in negotiations in the January 2014 purchase of the Condors by the Edmonton Oilers and the team’s elevation to the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2015-16. Now in their seventh AHL season,

Riley joined the organization late in 1997, when they were known as the Bakersfield Fog, to execute the transition from the Bakersfield Convention Center to Bakersfield Centennial Garden (now known as Mechanics Bank Arena). With a new name and a new arena in 1998, the Condors were named the West Coast Hockey League Organization of the Year.

The Keokuk, Iowa, native previously served as the Executive Director of the Mobile (AL) BayBears Baseball Club, the class-AA Southern League affiliate of the San Diego Padres, and was integral in the construction of Hank Aaron Stadium. Riley is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in communications. He earned a master’s degree in sport management from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama.

KIETH GRETZKY General Manager

Keith Gretzky serves as the Condors General Manager and is an assistant general manager with the Edmonton Oilers, joining the organization in 2016. He previously worked as the director of amateur scouting for two NHL organizations in Boston (2013-16) and Phoenix (2007-11) in addition to being a scout for both franchises. Behind the bench, he was a head coach for the Asheville Smoke of the United Hockey League (UHL) from 1998-00 and the then Bakersfield Fog of the WCHL from 1995-98.

As a player, Gretzky played parts of five seasons in the International Hockey League (IHL) with Flint, Phoenix, and San Diego in addition to two seasons in the AHL with Rochester.

COLIN CHAULK

Colin Chaulk, 45, was named head coach on June 27, 2022. Chaulk, who became interim head coach on February 11, 2022, is the third head coach in the team’s American Hockey League history and ninth overall in the organization’s 25 seasons.

It is Chaulk’s first head coaching appointment in the AHL. He previously served as head coach in the ECHL for four seasons with Brampton and was an assistant with Belleville (AHL), Kalamazoo (ECHL), and Fort Wayne (ECHL). As a player, Chaulk played professionally for 15 seasons including a decade with the Fort Wayne Komets where his number 91 is retired. He won five league championships with the Komets and is third all-time in the organization’s 70+ year history in scoring

KEITH McCAMBRIDGE

ASSISTANT COACH

McCambridge, 48, brings a decade of American Hockey League coaching experience as both a head coach and assistant. He served as head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack from 2017-19, and with the Winnipeg Jets top AHL team in St. John’s and Manitoba from 2011-2016. His time in St. John’s included a trip to the Calder Cup Finals in 2014 and the Eastern Conference Finals in 2012.

As a player, McCambridge played 11 seasons as a d-man in the AHL, IHL, and ECHL. He finished his playing career with the Alaska Aces (ECHL) and made the move behind the bench.

JOSH GREEN ASSISTANT COACH

Green, 44, joins Bakersfield from the Winnipeg ICE of the WHL where he was an assistant coach since 2019. With the ICE, Green helped in the development of 2022 9th overall pick Matthew Savoie, 11th overall pick Conor Geekie, and third round pick Mikey Milne. The Camrose, Alberta native enjoyed a 20-year playing career which included 341 NHL games with eight organizations. He played parts of three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers and finished his AHL career playing two seasons with the Oilers AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City. He was drafted in the 2nd round (30th overall) by the Los Angeles Kings in 1996.

SYLVAIN RODRIGUE

COACH

Sylvain Rodrigue began working on a full-time basis with Condors goaltenders in 2018-19, but has been with the Oilers organization for the past nine seasons.

In 2020-21 under his guidance, Stuart Skinner made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers and led the AHL in victories with 20.

He helped develop rookie goaltender Shane Starrett, who was named AHL Goaltender of the Month in February and received All-Rookie and Second All-Star Team selections from the AHL in 2018-19.

KRIS HORN

Kris Horn joined the Condors prior to the 2022-23 season from Army West Point where he had been the director of hockey operations since 2018. He was previously an assistant coach at SUNY-Brockport (16-18), a volunteer assistant coach at Union College (15-16), and an assistant coach at Hamilton College (14-15). Horn graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Michigan State University in 2008 and holds a Master’s degree from Brockport with a concentration in athletic administration.

VIDEO COORDINATOR

AL OMAN

JAMES

FRONT OFFICE STAFF

MATTHEW RILEY

JOSE RIVERA

CHAD CARPENTER

DOMINIC MASCOLA

AARON UGHOC

REBECCA WENDLER

COLE BURNS

JOEY GARGANO

JOSH JERNIGAN

NENETZIN MARTINEZ

JUSTIN FAHSBENDER

RYAN HOLT

LOWE

ROGER PARSONS

TAYLOR WELDIN

JAMES WHITE

JAY HARRILL

EMMI JACKSON

JUAN MARTINEZ

NAOMI DOBBS

“One step away from the NHL” has certainly applied to Condorstown over the past seven seasons. Now in year eight, who will be the next names to be added to list of players to graduate to the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers?

2015-16

Brossoit, Laurent (G)

Draisaitl, Leon (LW)

Fayne, Mark (D)

Gazdic, Luke (LW) Hunt, Brad (D) Kassian, Zack (RW)

Khaira, Jujhar *(C) Klinkhammer, Rob (LW) Miller, Andrew (RW) Nikitin, Nikita (D) Nilsson, Anders (G) Nurse, Darnell (D) Oesterle, Jordan (D) Pakarinen, Iiro (RW) Reinhart, Griffin (D) Scrivens, Ben (G) Slepyshev, Anton (LW)

2019-20

Benson, Tyler* (RW) Cave, Colby (C) Lagesson, William (D)

2016-17

Beck, Taylor (RW)

Benning, Matt* (D)

Brossoit, Laurent (G)

Fayne, Mark (D) Gustavsson, Jonas (G)

Khaira, Jujhar (C)

Lander, Anton (C) Oesterle, Jordan (D) Pakarinen, Iiro (RW) Puljujarvi, Jesse (RW)

Reinhart, Griffin (D) Simpson, Dillon* (D) Slepyshev, Anton (LW)

2017-18

Bear, Ethan* (D)

Brossoit, Laurent (G) lowe, Keegan (D) Malone, Brad (C)

Pakarinen, Iiro (RW)

Puljujarvi, Jesse (RW)

Rattie, Ty (RW)

Slepyshev, Anton (LW)

2018-19

Bouchard, Evan* (D)

Currie, Josh* (RW)

Gambardella, Joe* (LW) Gravel, Kevin (D) Jones, Caleb* (D) Malone, Brad (C)

Marody, Cooper* (C) Russell, Patrick* (RW) Yamamoto, Kailer (LW)

2021

McLeod, Ryan* (C) Skinner, Stuart* (G)

2021-22

Broberg, Philip* (D) Griffith, Seth (RW) Holloway, Dylan* (LW) Malone, Brad (C)

Marody, Cooper (RW) McLeod, Ryan (C) Niemelainen, Markus* (D) Samorukov, Dmitri * (D) Skinner, Stuart (G)

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SCOTT HOWSON

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Fans,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2022-23 American Hockey League season, the latest chapter in a tradition of excellence that can be traced back to our league’s founding more than eight decades ago.

The AHL is as proud as ever of its role in developing nearly all of the players, coaches, executives, trainers, broadcasters and officials who you see throughout the National Hockey League today. Generations of our great fans have cheered on future superstars, Stanley Cup champions and Hockey Hall of Famers as they have come through the AHL.

This season is sure to be another exciting one as for the first time ever we drop the puck in 32 cities across North America, all vying to become the next Calder Cup champion.

On behalf of all of our teams, thank you for your continuing support of the AHL.

Sincerely, Scott Howson President & CEO | American Hockey League

THE BEGINNINGS

Embarking on its 87th season of play in 2022-23, the American Hockey League is continuing a tradition of excellence that began in 1936 when the Canadian-American Hockey League joined with the International Hockey League to form what is today known as the AHL. Eight teams hit the ice that first season, representing Buffalo, Cleveland, New

A TRADITION OF

Haven, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Springfield and Syracuse.

Frank Calder, the National Hockey League’s president at the time, was instrumental in the forming of this new league, and his name would be given to its championship trophy. The first Calder Cup was won by the Syracuse Stars in 1937; the most

recent championship was captured by the Chicago Wolves last spring.

From those roots, the American Hockey League has grown into a 32-team, coast-to-coast league that provides fans with exciting, high-level professional hockey while preparing thousands of players, coaches, officials, executives, trainers, broadcasters and more for careers in the NHL.

88.2%

Percentage of all NHL players in 2021-22 who were graduates of the AHL

992

Former AHL players who skated in the NHL last season

423

AHL players who also played in the NHL in 2021-22

Proud supporter of the Bakersfield Condors

Former 1st- and 2ndround NHL draft picks who skated in the AHL in 2021-22

THE PLAYERS

In today’s National Hockey League nearly 90 percent of the players are AHL alumni, including 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin , Calder Trophy recipient Moritz Seider and Lady Byng Trophy winner Kyle Connor. The 2022 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche were stocked with AHL graduates including leading scorer Mikko Rantanen , Nazem Kadri , Devon Toews and Darcy Kuemper

During the 2021-22 season, a total of 992 AHL alumni played in the National Hockey League. There were 423 players who skated in both leagues last year alone, and 235 former first- and secondround NHL draft picks developed their skills in the AHL last season, including Holtz

Lukas Reichel Pelletier Krebs champion and AHL Rookie of the Year

THE LEGENDS

For the past eight decades, the American Hockey League has been home to some of the greatest players in the history of our sport. In fact, more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame have been affiliated with the AHL during their careers . All-time greats like Johnny Bower, Toe Blake, Gump Worsley, Terry Sawchuk, Glenn Hall, Brad Park, Ken Dryden, and Brett Hull came through the AHL ranks and now find themselves enshrined in Toronto, and the coveted Calder Cup is inscribed with the names of legendary AHL alumni like Patrick Roy, Larry Robinson, Gerry Cheevers, Andy Bathgate, Tim Horton, Al Arbour, Emile Francis, Doug Harvey, and Billy Smith

THE COACHES

At the start of the 2022-23 season, the National Hockey League featured 22 head coaches who were former AHL bench bosses, including including Jared Bednar of the 2022 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.

Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper, Washington’s Peter Laviolette, Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan, Nashville’s John Hynes, Toronto’s Sheldon Keefe, Vancouver’s Bruce Boudreau, Minnesota’s Dean Evason and Edmonton’s Jay Woodcroft are also among the current NHL coaches who spent time in the American Hockey League before making the jump.

Q&A WITH COLIN CHAULK

MIKE GRIFFITH | Bakersfield Californian

After taking over for Jay Woodcroft (who was elevated to head coach of the Edmonton Oilers), Colin Chaulk shed the “interim” title and was named head coach of the Bakersfield Condors on June 27. He is the third head coach in the team’s American Hockey League history and ninth in the team’s 25-year history.

Chaulk, 45, previously was head coach in the ECHL for four seasons with Brampton, Ontario and was an assistant with Bellville (AHL), Kalamazoo (ECHL) and Fort Wayne (WCHL).

Prior to coaching, Chaulk played professionally for 15 seasons, the majority of those years spent with the Fort Wayne Komets where he won five league titles and is third all-time in scoring the 70-plus years of the organization.

He took time to answer a variety of questions ahead of the team’s home opener on Saturday.

Let’s start before last season even got under way. How and why did you end up in Bakersfield as an assistant?

“I got a phone call from Jay Woodcroft asking what I’d been up to. I told him where I was at and he asked if I’d be interested in a position. That was followed by a scheduled two-hour Zoom call — nothing really about hockey, just life. That started the process. I’d known Jay’s track record, I knew what staff was here and how much success Bakersfield had had and was intrigued to go through the process to see if I could earn the job.”

Last year had to be one of the most stressful of your career. There were COVID issues, the mid-season coaching change which saw Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson heading to the Oilers, you taking over the reigns, the death of your sister. How were you and the team able to deal with the adversity and get to the playoffs?

“Not only myself. There were so many players that went through personal adversity. What we did was attack it. We talked about it. We tried to just be empathetic, be good humans about it and make people feel comfortable in their space and their environment. The ‘but’ is also not allowing you to work hard, compete and bring a professional business-like attitude and style. And lastly we made sure we kept it light and had fun.”

You were able to shed the “interim” coach title this summer when you signed a deal with the Oilers. What led you to bring Keith McCambridge and Josh Green in as your assistants.

“There were two areas I wanted the assistants to have. I wanted some NHL experience and I wanted some AHL head coaching experience. (General manager Keith Gretzky) and I talked about that. That was something we were looking for but they weren’t non-negotiables but that was my thought process when I was going through the interview process. With Josh being fresh out of the game with his extensive NHL playing experience (341 games), I thought he could lean on our players in a positive way. Being an Oiler, feeling that love for the organi zation.

“Then Keith being an experienced guy (11 playing seasons, 13 coaching seasons), probably been there, done that, nothing’s going to phase him. Seen a lot, mature, been an assistant, been a head. Worn many hats, been in different organizations. I wanted to draw on those experiences. And lastly, it was a fit. They have to fit with me and Sly (Rodrigue, goaltending coach entering his 10th season) and we felt like those guys were the best fit that could come in and work with our group and be in the inner circle.”

It’s a strange year for the Edmonton Oilers who are hard against the salary cap and start the season only able to have 21 instead of 23 active players on their roster. Do you expect a lot of call ups this season and potentially a constantly changing roster?

“You don’t know what to expect, to be honest. We come in every day and we coach the players we have. The saying is ‘til we see the whites of their eyes (they are not present), whether they are in Edmonton or Fort Wayne (the new ECHL affiliation for the Oilers). Ultimately we’re going to take direction from the big club and if they’re here we’re going to coach them and do everything we can to make them better people first and better players second. A business-like professional attitude and environment and at the same time keeping it light and having fun.”

Defensively, the Condors return a lot of players from last season. Do you expect that to be a strength?

“We do. They’re big, have good sticks, know how to play and more mature. We have a veteran presence in net understanding his role. We also have guys pushing. We have that internal push in the net, that internal push on the backend. In the end that’s going to breed success inside your organization. That level of competition we’re trying to bring on a daily basis. To circle back on your question, we believe it’s going to be the strength of our team.”

Up front there are quite a few changes. What can you tell us about your forward group?

“We lost some guys, good important pieces. But also that allows some other people to have opportunity, right? Obviously you have (Xavier) Bourgault come in as a first-round draft choice, you have (Raphael) Lavoie who had a real slow start (last season) and we believe he is going to be more mature and understand his own expectations. And you’ve got guys that are injured right now (Justin) Bailey and some proven players. We have veteran guys like Greg) McKegg that are coming in and fill some of those roles that were missed. Again, you have that internal push — James Hamblin, (Luke) Esposito, Noah Philip … some guys that have been here that are looking to grow their game. But also guys that are trying to make their stance too, (Ty) Tullio, Dino (Kambeitz) and some guys on two-ways (AHL-ECHL) like Drake (Rymsha that are trying to fight to get in and stay in. It’s an interesting battle and we’re not sure how it’s all going to pan out.”

For the past three seasons, Condors fans have seen a lot of Stuart Skinner in net. He is now with the Oilers. What now?

“Well, Keith Gretzky and the management did their research and found a great person first of all and great team mate and pretty good goaltender in Calvin Pickard. He’s our guy. But then there’s an internal push with (Oliver) Rodrigue and (Ryan) Fanti and there’s Colton Point (currently in the ECHL) who’s proven he can play as well. We feel like there’s some depth back there. Bakersfield has done it’s job by winning and developing and Stuart Skinner is one of those people who put the work in with the coaches to get where he wants to be.”

There is skill and there is will. What type of play do you expect from your team this season?

“Well, that’s very well said, first of all. You have to have those skills, whether it’s reads, a good shot or stick han dling play. But you have to have those hard skills — body position, blocked shots, being first on the puck, making good food choices, resting properly, paying attention in video sessions, being a good teammate. All those things are the will, the hard skills that really push you over the top. Everybody is a good hockey player in the American Hockey League. Everybody can skate, everybody has those types of skills that are the soft skills — stock handling, shooting — they all can do that. It’s the will and the hard skills I mentioned that we believe is what’s going to put you over the top. That’s something we’re training now in camp and over the year. There are times it will be tested. The first one will be on Saturday.”

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