OKC Barons and the Preseason?

Earlier today the San Antonio Rampage and the Houston Aeros both announced their preseason schedule. Besides announcing that they'll be playing each other once, the Rampage announced that they'll be playing the Texas Stars twice while the Aeros will play the Stars once, giving the Stars three preseason dates. After going through the preseason schedule announcements so far of the rest of AHL, the average amount of games teams have announced is 2 or 3. The Hartford Wolf Pack took the extreme of 5 games, including going with a 3 games in 3 nights stretch.

So where does that leave the Barons? The Rampage and Stars have their 3 games. I'm going to doubt that Houston's going to take a third game if they didn't include it with their earlier announcement. Peoria, Rockford, and Chicago have yet to announce their preseason schedules, but would they want to travel the 11+ hour drive here for a preseason game? Or will the Barons take a road trip to play in Illinois and leave the OKC fans high and dry? Unless the Stars are going to take on a 4th(maybe 5th?) game, or the Barons and one of the Illinois teams decide to do a home and home, I'm having some serious doubts of seeing a home preseason game this year.

-Written by Eric Rodgers-

Update: The Texas Stars announced that they will be playing the Barons on Oct 2nd in Cedar Park, taking place of one of their games with the Rampage. The Rampage's release now shows them playing only 2 games, one against the Stars and the other against the Aeros.

Pisani heads to Chicago

Since Ray's still on vacation, I figured I'd post this for him. And since I'm a 'Hawks fan, it pertains to me too. Per TSN's Ryan Rishaug, Fernando Pisani has signed a 1-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks worth $500k. Seems like it should be a good signing for the 'Hawks if Pisani's able to stay healthy. Does it make up for Buff and Ladd being traded away? No, but I'll take it.

-Written by Eric Rodgers-

OJ is # 6

As many have read that Smokin' Ray is off on vacation at the moment. So I thought I would post about an achievement that I consider pretty prestigious. That OilersJambalaya came in at #6 on Dave Staples Top 35 Oilogosphere blogs. Smokin' Ray does a fantastic job keeping things fresh, and finding stuff to talk about here on OJ. And he does the same talking about the Barons over on OilFieldHockey.com. And a big thanks to all the readers that come here(and to OFH too). Also a big thanks to Smokin' Ray for teaming with OFH, cause it's been one whale of a ride. And the fun is just about begin with hockey season right around the corner!

Oilers announce Young Stars Roster

From the Oilers Website:

Oilers announce Young Stars tournament roster
Tickets go on sale Monday, August 16
Thursday, 12.08.2010 / 5:00 PM / Rookie Camp
By Edmonton Oilers Press Release

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers roster for the upcoming Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Tournament taking place from September 12-16 at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, British Columbia.

The Oilers will head to Penticton led by first round draft choices Taylor Hall (1st overall in 2010), Magnus Paajarvi (10th overall in 2009) and Jordan Eberle (22nd overall in 2008).

The eight-game tournament will feature players from the Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks. A total of 16 NHL first round draft picks, seven players that appeared in the Final of the 2010 World Junior Championships, and the 2009 and 2010 CHL Players-of-the-Year are all scheduled to play for their respective teams. Notable prospects from the other four teams participating include Mikael Backlund (CGY), Emerson Etem (ANA), Cam Fowler (ANA), Cody Hodgson (VAN), Kyle Palmieri (ANA), Nick Petrecki (SJ), Jordan Schroeder (VAN) and Mitch Wahl (CGY).

For more information on the tournament, visit www.canucks.com/youngstars

Young Stars Rosters:

* Anaheim
* Calgary
* Edmonton
* San Jose
* Vancouver

Also today, The Vancouver Canucks announced single game tickets and day passes (access to all games on the given day) for the tournament will go on sale Monday, August 16 at 10:00am Pacific Time.

Single game tickets will be available for $12, or day passes (access to all games on the given day) will be available for $20, beginning Monday, August 16. A special 2-for-1 offer will take place on September 16 with all tickets for the game between the Flames and Canucks being sold for just $12 per pair. Limited tournament packages, which include a ticket to each of the eight games, will be available for purchase starting at $66, until Monday, August 16 at 10:00am PDT. Tournament ticket packages and single game tickets are available for purchase online at www.valleyfirstTIX.com, by phone at 1-877-763-2849 or in person at the South Okanagan Events Centre box office. Game dates, times and opponents are subject to change.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS YOUNG STARS TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

GAME
TEAMS DATE
TIME*
Game 1 Vancouver vs. Edmonton Sept. 12 5:00pm
Game 2 San Jose vs. Anaheim Sept. 12 8:30pm
Game 3 Anaheim vs. Calgary Sept. 13 5:00pm
Game 4 San Jose vs. Vancouver Sept. 13 8:30pm
Game 5 Calgary vs. Edmonton Sept. 14 8:30pm
Game 6 Anaheim vs. Vancouver Sept. 15 5:00pm
Game 7 Edmonton vs. San Jose Sept. 15 8:30pm
Game 8 Calgary vs. Vancouver Sept. 16 1:00pm

*Game dates, times and opponents subject to change. Times are Mountain.
All Oilers games will be streamed live on edmontonoilers.com

Edmonton Oilers 2010 Young Stars Roster (09-10 stats)

Forwards (16)

Cameron Abney
Philippe Cornet
Drew Czerwonka
Jordan Eberle
Taylor Hall
Curtis Hamilton
Teemu Hartikainen
Milan Kytnar
James Livingston
Ryan Martindale
Magnus Paajarvi
Kristians Pelss
Tyler Pitlick
Chase Schaber
Mike Thomas
Chris Vande Velde

Defencemen
Jordan Bendfeld
Jeremie Blain
Brandon Davidson
Dallas Ehrhardt
Martin Marincin
Johan Motin
Jeff Petry
Alex Plante
Dominik Schlumpf
Nolan Toigo

Goalies
Tyler Bunz
Bryan Pitton
Olivier Roy

OilFieldHockey.com and OilersJambalaya.com will be holding a week long Tweetcast of the Tournament. If you are going and can tweet from the tournament. We will include your tweets and pics from the tournament on our Tweetcast. Please email or tweet us here at OilFieldHockey.com and OilersJambalaya.com with your information.

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