GAME TIME - VOL. 8, ISSUE 8

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BROADCAST INFORMATION

RADIO

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

ONLINE RADIO

All Condors games are available through the iHeartRadio App (Fox Sports AM800), 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

MEARS CARRIES CONDORSTOWN INTO 25 YEARS

One of the original Condors, Glen Mears has been in Condorstown since 1998. A member of the Bakersfield Fog, Mears, along with Jay Neal, became the first Condors signed as the team transitioned to the newly minted Centennial Garden next door. Over two decades later, Mears continues to be active in Condorstown, helping grow the game, with two sons who have gone on to play around the country.

Recently honored at Teddy Bear Toss, we sat down with the Condors Hall of Famer to get his thoughts on all that’s transpired to make the 25th Anniversary Season so memorable.

WHAT WAS THE TRANSITION LIKE FROM THE CONVENTION CENTER TO CENTENNIAL GARDEN?

Mears: Well we had played on a stage with fans hanging over the glass and able to reach over. So when they started building the arena it was great to think about. It was cool to see them going sub surface to start building the arena. They put it up in one year and it was really special to be there for opening night.

WHAT IS A FAVORITE MEMORY YOU HAVE?

Mears: The guys obviously and being around your teammates. We still associate and are close to this day. But, the very first goal in the arena, I picked up a pass and was able to skate it over the blue line and zip a pass across to Jay Neal for an easy tap in. It was a nice finish, but definitely a better pass (laughs).

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE GROWTH OF HOCKEY IN BAKERSFIELD OVER THE YEARS?

Mears: It’s because of the Condors that there is a practice/recreational facility

ryan Holt | bakersfield condors

here in town. Both of my boys grew up and played in Bakersfield before moving around the country to pursue hockey. As a family, we were blessed to have that local option available, and coached by a lot of former Condors and professional players.

HOW SPECIAL IS HAVING THE GROUP OF ALUMNI HERE IN TOWN THAT YOU GUYS HAVE?

Mears: We’ve all grown up together here. A lot of us work together or come across each other in addition to hanging out / playing and more. I love having all those guys here daily.

DID YOU EVER THINK CONDORSTOWN WOULD BECOME WHAT IT IS TODAY WHEN THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE GROUND IN 1998?

Mears: Did I think there would be multi-millionaires in Bakersfield? No. But I did see the fan support and saw the west coast pulling in big revenue teams. I love seeing the AHL here and the talent of hockey playing here on a nightly basis.

2022-23 AHL TEAM MAP

Bridgeport Islanders

661 .852.7400 Youth and Adult Hockey Bakersfield’s Home For Ice Spor ts And Fun!

www.vcicecenter.com

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: acrisure arena Capacity: 11,000

NHL Affiliate: seattle kraken Head Coach: dan bylsma

NHL

San Diego Gulls

Arena: PECHANGA ARENA SAN DIEGO Capacity: 12,920

NHL Affiliate: Anaheim Ducks

Head Coach: Roy Sommer

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: Tech cu Arena Capacity: 4,200

NHL Affiliate: San Jose Sharks

Head Coach: John McCarthy

texas stars

Arena: h-e-b center at cedar park Capacity: 8,000

NHL Affiliate: Dallas Stars

POSITION: CENTER

SHOOTS: LEFT

HEIGHT: 5’10” WEIGHT: 183

DOB: 10-18-1993

HOMETOWN: ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, USA

LUKE ESPOSITO

POSITION: CENTER SHOOTS: LEFT

HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 194 DOB: 06-17-1992

HOMETOWN: ST. THOMAS, ONTARIO, CAN

POSITION: RIGHT WING SHOOTS: RIGHT

HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 172 DOB: 10-22-2002

HOMETOWN: L’ISLET, QUEBEC, CAN

XAVIER BOURGAULT

POSITION:

HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 198 DOB: 08-31-1998

HOMETOWN: CANMORE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CAN

POSITION: CENTER SHOOTS: RIGHT HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 198 DOB: 05-16-1999

HOMETOWN: STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

FILIP ENGARAS

POSITION:

POSITION:

HEIGHT: 5’9” WEIGHT: 185 DOB: 01-04-1993

HOMETOWN: WALLACEBURG, ONTARIO, CAN

POSITION:

HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 187 DOB: 08-06-1998

POSITION: RIGHT WING SHOOTS: RIGHT

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

HOMETOWN: WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CAN

TY TULLIO

POSITION:

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: 6’6” WEIGHT: 215 DOB: 05-29-1996

HOMETOWN: LAVAL QUEBEC, CAN

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN SHOOTS: LEFT

HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 187

DOB: 09-30-1995

HOMETOWN: ST. LAURENT, QUEBEC, CAN

POSITION: LEFT WING SHOOTS: LEFT

HEIGHT: 5’10” WEIGHT: 193 DOB: 01-23-2002

HOMETOWN: ST. ALBERT, ALBERTA, CAN

CARTER SAVOIE

POSITION: RIGHT WING SHOOTS: RIGHT

HEIGHT: 6’4” WEIGHT: 215 DOB: 07-01-1995

HOMETOWN: BUFFALO, NEW YORK, USA

JUSTIN BAILEY

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN SHOOTS: RIGHT HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 195 DOB: 06-09-1998

HOMETOWN: DORVAL, QUEBEC, CAN

JASON DEMERS

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN SHOOTS: RIGHT HEIGHT: 6’5” WEIGHT: 215 DOB: 01-13-2000

HOMETOWN: MANCHESTER NEW HAMPSHIRE, USA

MICHAEL KESSELRING

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN SHOOTS: RIGHT

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

HOMETOWN: GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT, USA

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

42

POSITION: DEFENSEMAN SHOOTS: LEFT

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

HOMETOWN: ELMIRA, ONTARIO, CAN

ADAM BRUBACHER

29

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: 210 DOB: 04-15-1992

HOMETOWN: MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK, CAN

CALVIN PICKARD

33

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

HOMETOWN: CHICOUTIMI, QUEBEC, CAN

OLIVIER RODRIGUE

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

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.

KEITH 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.

COACHING STAFF

COLIN CHAULK

HEAD COACH

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

GOALTENDING 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

VIDEO COORDINATOR

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.

“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

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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

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

Condors

L. TO R.: AHL GRADUATES MORITZ SEIDER , IGOR SHESTERKIN KYLE CONNOR

Proud supporter of the Bakersfield

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.

JARED