Jim Byers, New Voice of the Oklahoma City Barons

BYERS NAMED BARONS BROADCASTER
(by Josh Evans, OKC Barons)

The Oklahoma City Barons, American Hockey League affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, named Jim Byers as play-by-play voice. Byers will make his AHL debut October 9 as the Barons welcome the Houston Aeros to the newly renovated Cox Convention Center.

Byers has worked in a variety of sports during his career providing play-by-play. This season will be his eighth providing play-by-play for a professional hockey team. He served as the voice of the Oklahoma City Blazers from 2005-09. His hockey career has also seen him work for the Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League. The 11-year voice of the Oklahoma Redhawks, Byers has also worked calling horse races for 15 years. While working at Remington Park in the early 1990’s, Byers spent time working as a linesman in the CHL. The Chicago-native came to Oklahoma City in 1988 as the track announcer for Remington Park in Oklahoma City.

In addition to providing the play-by-play for all 80 games, Byers will host as either an extended coaches show following home games only or a weekly coaches show. He will also serve as the primary writer of game notes and provide content for the Barons website.

“The return of hockey to our area at the AHL level is exciting on its own, but to have the chance to contribute as a broadcaster is even better,” said Byers. “I’m very grateful for the chances I’ve had in my career to work different sports and am looking forward to giving the Barons and their fans the best broadcast I can.”

“We look forward to having Jim call our games this season,” said Prodigal LLC owner Bob Funk Jr. “His work in a variety of sports and experience in the field of broadcasting will give Barons a unique perspective of the action on the ice.”

In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives and broadcasters of all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 85 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the ninth year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America

-Written by Josh Evans of the OKC Barons-

It's Getting Clearer / Rookies Go To Training Camp

Last night before the game Dan Tencer tweeted that all the kids at the Young Stars tournament are getting invited to the regular Edmonton Oilers training camp.

Wow! These kids must be peeing in their pants. To think that Tyler Pitlick will be skating circles and lines with Ales Hemsky. Or Hall honing his leadership skills by watching Horcoff work his ass off, on and off the ice. For some of these kids, this is it. This is their one chance at an NHL training camp. Some may never be here again. I'm willing to bet they all make the best of a great situation.

Steve Tambellini says that he wants to show the kids what it takes to be an NHL player and to create a good atmosphere for the team. He wants the Oilers to be class. This is definitely a step in the right direction.

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So, what's this getting clearer thing?

I can see now why he's (Tamby) shunned Sheldon Souray from training camp. Bringing these kids here to experience what it's like to be a real NHL'er, is, and should be, the focus of camp. This Souray mess shouldn't even cross these kids' minds and with Souray being sent home, the kids, and the Oilers, can focus on hockey. I believe that's best for the team.

Could have Tambellini handled this Souray situation better? You bet he could. He could have made it clear last month Souray wouldn't be attending camp. He could have made it clear, he wasn't wanted anymore by the Oilers. God knows he was asked 5000 times about Souray this summer by every Tom, Dick and Harry so it's not like he forgot. And we all know that that training camp question was also brought up countless times and he sluffed it off like the question never was asked. He knew the answer, he just never said it out loud.

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The word cancer has been used a lot in reference to Sheldon Souray. It's been used by TV, newsprint, bloggers, fans. Even Steve Tambellini said it.

But what does the term cancer mean in hockey? What are they saying without saying it?

I look at that and the first thing I think is, is he a shitty teammate? Is that what it means?

They call him and his situation toxic. What does that mean? Doesn't that also mean he's a shitty teammate? Or is it just because he's a constant complainer?

I know he's a good leader and I loved him for it. If he's in the right situation (another hockey cliche), he can be an asset to an NHL club.

Somewhere along the way he made a mistake.

The mistake started with this article with Spector. After that, the avalanche got bigger and bigger till it couldn't be stopped. He was shopped around more than a Vancouver hooker and nobody wanted to trade for him. He was placed on waivers and still, nobody wanted him. That was an eye opener for Souray and probably caused his change of heart for the Oilers and his willingness to come back, but it was too late. The damage was done.

I don't know. I would still have him on my team (until a trade is made) because without Souray, there is a hole in the 2nd defence pairing that none of the current Oilers can handle. Foster? Strudwick? Vandermeer? So until a trade is made, there is a hole in that spot.

I'd say it's clear now (is it?) that there is no turning back. It's clear the Oilers have moved on and I think we will all be better for it.

I want to focus on hockey. I want to focus on Oilers hockey, not more scandals and BS that has surrounded this great and storied franchise in the past. I want hockey. True Edmonton Oilers hockey. The way it was meant.

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

September Wallpaper And Big Mac Banner by @SAVEMEX29

Click On Picture To Enlarge

Our twitter friend Savemex29 (Russ Jericho) has been getting into designing wallpapers and banners. He's been doing a great job and I have been using the September one for a few weeks (different version).

So he created and updated the September wallpaper (above) and I figured I'll post it on here for him and you too can use it on your PC.

If you ever have any suggestions, leave a comment and I'll pass it on. Or you can follow him directly on twitter.

Every so often, we will post a new wallpaper or banner or whatever he makes so the readers of OilersJambalaya.com can enjoy his creations. We hope you like them as much as I do.

-Written by Smokin' Ray-



Big Mac Banner
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Oilers Lose To Sharks / Young Stars Is Over

Well the Sharks did much like I figured they would. They physically beat down the Oilers and won the game. Now, sure, the Oilers did suck a little in the 1st and a lot in the 2nd, but you can't win games like that.

So I have to work early and I figured a recap isn't all that important. The Oilers should be posting a link tomorrow so we can watch it archived. I'll post it here when it's available.

If you want to read a recap, check out the Oilers website.

Or you can read the TweetCast here. Great tweets by some great people. 

Special thanks to Shawn ( @bulletacdotcom ) who has been tweeting his ass off for us for the past 3 games. He's done a great job and he can tweetcast for us anytime he wants.

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

The Big 3 Unite / Final Oilers Young Stars Game vs Sharks / LIVE TweetCast

Well this is it folks. The last Young Stars game for the Edmonton Oilers.

The Big 3 (Hall, Paajarvi & Eberle) will all play tonight -- they all sat out for yesterday's game -- and the three of them will also all play on the same line. Paajarvi is the Left Wing, Hall will play center and Eberle will be on the Right side. This should be interesting.

Like I said previously, this will be the biggest test for this Oilers rookie squad. The Sharks are bigger, but the Oilers have more skill. We will see who comes out on top. I'm excited!

DON'T FORGET: If you use Twitter, make sure to use the #YST or the #YoungStars hashtags. Your tweets will be included into the TweetCast.

GOILERS!