Saturday, August 7, 2010

Show Me The Money / OKC Barons Edition

Today we look at the amount of projected dollars the Edmonton Oilers/OKC Barons will spend this year on Barons players. Let me tell you this, if I am correct, this is going to be a very expensive team.

Read no further if you are squeamish to large numbers.

PRODIGAL HOCKEY OWNER: Bob Funk Jr.
AFFILIATE TEAM: Edmonton Oilers
GENERAL MANAGER: Bill Scott
ASSISTANT GM: ????
HEAD COACH: Todd Nelson
ASSISTANT COACH: Gerry Fleming
TRAINER: Brandon Dionne
EQUIPMENT MANAGER: ????
MASCOT NAME: Derrick


WEBSITE: http://www.okcbarons.com/
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/okcbaronshockey
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/okcbarons

PROJECTED OKC BARONS ROSTER*

*Players subject to change. All dollar figures below are 2010-11 AHL dollars only.

Go to CapGeek.com for the full list NHL contracts.

FORWARDS:


C - Ryan O'Marra ($70,000)
C - Chris Vande Velde ($62,500)
C - Brad Moran ($225,000)
C - Teemu Hartikainen ($65,000)
C - Milan Kytnar ($55,000)

LW - Linus Omark ($65,000)
LW - Alexandre Giroux ($500,000)
LW - Gregory Stewart ($105,000)
LW- Phillipe Cornet ($60,000)
LW - Matt Marquardt ($62,500)

RW - Magnus Paajarvi/Jordan Eberle** (MPS $67,500 / JE $65,000)
RW - Colin MacDonald (??? will update)
RW - Ben Ondrus ($130,000)
RW - Toni Rajala ($55,000)

**(Projecting that one of the two will be in OKC)

DEFENCEMEN:

Shawn Belle ($150,000)
Richard Petoit ($105,000)
Jake Taylor (??? will update)
Alex Plante ($65,000)
Jeff Petry ($62,500)
Johan Motin ($55,000)
Jordan Bendfeld ($60,000)
Taylor Chorney ($62,500)
Theo Peckham ($65,000)

GOALIES:

Martin Gerber ($200,000)
Jeff Deslauriers ($1,050,000 if he clears waivers)
Devan Dubnyk ($800,000 if he clears waivers)
Bryan Pitton ($55,000)

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So there we have it. Now let's add up some numbers.

Forwards Total not including MPS, Eberle & MacDonald: $1,455,000

Defence Total not including Jake Taylor & Theo Peckham: $560,000

Goalie Total not including Deslauriers & Dubnyk: $255,000

OKC BARONS GRAND TOTAL: $2,270,000 AHL dollars

Now add Deslauriers or Dubnyk to that number. WOW! That's some big bucks.

This team better be a Calder Cup contender, if not the champs.

-Written and Updated by Smokin' Ray-

Friday, August 6, 2010

Gerber signs two way deal with Oilers

From the Oilers' Website:

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with goaltender Martin Gerber on a one-year contract.Gerber, 35, played last year with Altant Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In 30 appearances he went 15-6-6 with a 2.19 GAA and .914 save percentage.

Gerber, who is from Burgdorf, Switzerland, was originally drafted 232nd overall by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. In two seasons with the Ducks he played in 54 games going 26-21-5 before being dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes where he led the Canes to to a division championship. In 60 games Gerber posted a 38-14-6 record, 2.78 GAA and .906 save percentage.

The 5'11", 195 lbs veteran also played with the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs before heading to the KHL. In 226 games Gerber has a 110-78-21 record, 2.65 GAA and .910 save percentage.

Gerber also has some international experience and split the goaltending duties with David Aebischer for Team Switzerland in the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Edmonton Oilers hockey is presented in part by the Rexall Family of Pharmacies, Molson Canadian, ATB Financial, TELUS, Cenovus Energy and Ford.

Contract Details: From @RealKyper on Twitter: Oilers sign Martin Gerber 1 year / 2-way contract. 500/200 guaranteed in minors. Oilers have him pegged as a 3/4 goalie in system.

Oilers' name Bill Scott as Barons' GM

Per the Barons' Website:

BILL SCOTT NAMED GM OF BARONS
(by Josh Evans, OKC Barons)

Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini today named Bill Scott as the general manager for the Oklahoma City Barons.

Scott’s role will be management of the Barons hockey operations department on a day-to-day basis. In addition, he will also serve as a scout for the Oilers organization. He will work with the Barons’ coaching staff of Todd Nelson and Gerry Fleming to communicate the progress of the Oilers prospects in Oklahoma City.

“We feel we have secured one of the bright young minds in the AHL with Bill,” said Tambellini. “He has several years of experience in hockey operations with the AHL and ECHL and will be an important part of our management team moving forward.”

Prior to his appointment as general manager of the Barons, Scott acted as the Director of Hockey Operations for the American Hockey League for four seasons. His duties with the AHL included creation the league schedule, assisting in determining player fines and suspensions, supervised regular season and playoff games and interpreted by-laws and the Collective Bargaining Agreement for member teams.

“The Barons are pleased with the Oilers selection for this position,” said Prodigal LLC owner Bob Funk Jr. “His understanding what the Oilers are positioning themselves for will ultimately assist all of us in our success here.”

The native of Unionville, Ontario graduated from Michigan State University in 2003 with a Bachelors degree in Business Management. He worked as the student manager with the Spartans in the season they hosted The Cold War (first outdoor game) and their run to the Frozen Four in 2001. He got his start in hockey as an intern in the Nashville Predators hockey operations department before moving to the ECHL as manager of hockey operations for three seasons.

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.

Just 64 days remain until the Barons season opener October 9 at the newly renovated Cox Convention Center. Season tickets and mini packs are available by calling 232-GOAL (4625).

Ben Laing - Equipment Manager of the Year / #StkThunder


08/05/2010 3:53 PM - Rochester, N.Y. native earns award to conclude second season as a professional

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STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," announced in conjunction with the ECHL that Thunder head equipment manager Ben Laing has been named recipient of the ECHL "Equipment Manager of the Year" award, presented by Reebok Hockey.

The winner is determined in a vote of the league's equipment managers. As recognition of the yearly award, Laing will receive a pair of 11K skates from Reebok Hockey.

"Benny is well deserving of the award and we couldn't be more proud of him," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "He is a tireless worker, handles himself as a true professional and has done a tremendous job on my staff over the last two seasons. The feedback from our players indicates respect for his efforts and it shows how much it makes a difference in our dressing room culture."
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Ben Laing helps goaltender Bryan Pitton with a piece of equipment during overtime of Game 3 of the 2010 National Conference Finals. (photo by George Steckler)

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Laing completed his second season in the ECHL and first in Stockton this year after serving as equipment manager for Fresno in 2008-09. In addition to handling day-to-day equipment duties for the club, Laing handled maintenance and inventory preservation of team supplies while assisting the hockey operations department with administrative duties and supervision of Thunder game day equipment staff.

A Rochester, N.Y. native, Laing previously spent eight years in the hockey retail industry with Locker Room Sports served as assistant coach for his alma mater, Monroe (N.Y.) Community College in 2003-04. Previously, he spent two seasons (2001-03) in the program as a defenseman.

ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year
2009-10 Ben Laing, Stockton Thunder
2008-09 Pat Noecker, Reading Royals
2007-08 Pat Noecker, Reading Royals
2005-06 Chris Burke, Fresno Falcons
2004-05 John Jennings, Florida Everblades
Russ Holden, Reading Royals
2003-04 John Krouse, Pensacola Ice Pilots
2002-03 Tom Severance, Charlotte Checkers

OPENING NIGHT AND TICKET INFORMATION
Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 15, when the Thunder opens the 2010-11 regular season at home against the Ontario Reign, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena. Details on Thunder 2010 training camp information will be announced soon.

The Thunder are freezing Season Ticket prices for the 2010-11 season, which are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting http://www.stocktonthunder.com/. Partial-season Mini Plans are also available now and information on individual tickets will be announced soon.

The proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

-Written by the Stockton Thunder-

*reprinted by OilersJambalaya.com with permission from the Stockton Thunder Hockey Club*

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Thunder Signs Rookie Center Dan Bartlett / #StkThunder


08/05/2010 10:05 AM - Highly skilled, versatile Princeton product is fifth player to sign in Stockton

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MORE: DAN BARTLETT CAREER STATISTICS
VIDEO: Matt Thomas discusses the signing of Dan Bartlett



STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, and head coach Matt Thomas announced today that the team has signed free agent rookie center Dan Bartlett (BART-let). Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"What jumps out to me about Dan is we get another exciting player with top college credentials who is ready to take the next step in his developing game," said Thomas. "He comes from a great college program at Princeton University with the reputation of producing impact players with character I've had the honor of coaching like Daryl Marcoux, Kyle Hagel and Dustin Sproat. He's one of the youngest, dynamic, ‘one-on-one' players available on the free agent market and has the ability to bring fans out of their seats with his skill level."
Dan Bartlett led Princeton
 in scoring during his
last two seasons.
(photo by Beverly Schaefer)

Bartlett, 24, is the second newcomer to the Thunder roster during the offseason, joining Jordan Cyr, who enters the pro game after leading his college program in scoring for the last two straight seasons.

Bartlett enjoyed a career-high 29 points (16g-13a) and tied a career-high with 16 goals as a 2009-10 senior last season for Princeton, earning second-team All-Ivy honors and the Blackwell Award for the largest contributions in the club's "play, sportsmanship and influence."

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward led the Eastern College Athletic Conference tournament in scoring as a 2008-09 junior and was named to the ECAC All-Tournament team.

A native of Portland, Maine, he will be reunited with Thunder defenseman Daryl Marcoux, after the two were teammates during Bartlett's 2006-07 freshman season. He also guided the club to an NCAA Frozen Four tournament appearance as a junior.

"Daryl was very helpful in my decision making process," said Bartlett. "I was excited to hear his endorsement on how great the Thunder organization is, on and off the ice and how exciting it is to be part of it and the surrounding community in Stockton this next season. I'm hoping to contribute offensively to the best of my abilities, but I'm also proud of how my defensive game has improved. I feel all of that will be a good fit into Coach Thomas' intense, up-tempo playing style."

Bartlett totaled 79 points (42g-37a) in 119 career games with the Tigers, spanning four seasons (2007-10).

The contract signing marks the fifth player to sign with the Thunder, joining Marcoux, captain and center Craig Valette, left wing Jordan Cyr and defenseman Steve Vanoosten.

OPENING NIGHT AND TICKET INFORMATION
Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 15, when the Thunder opens the 2010-11 regular season at home against the Ontario Reign, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.

The Thunder are freezing Season Ticket Prices for the 2010-11 season, which are on sale now can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting http://www.stocktonthunder.com/. Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the highest-demanded seating locations in Stockton Arena, preferred parking options, benefits including admission to Season Ticket Holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, a free e-newsletter, an exclusive gift, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more. Information on individual and group tickets will be announced soon.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets and mini-plans for 2010-11 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

-Written by StocktonThunder.com-

*reprinted by OilersJambalaya.com with permission from the Stockton Thunder Hockey Club*

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