OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The inaugural AHL season was successful, as the team made the post season. “Todd Nelson’s good coaching,” is the reason Josh Evans, Director of Communications claims for this accomplishment. “He had twelve players called up, we had a good group of guys that got the team through and into the play offs,” said Evans.
There are no coaching changes for the Barons. Head Coach Todd Nelson continues to lead the club, with Assistant Coaches Gerry Fleming and Rocky Thompson. Nelson, who has more than two decades of coaching experience, has Calder Cup experience, and has recently been with the NHL Atlanta Thrashers as an assistant coach. Fleming has been with the Oilers former AHL affiliate and provides some continuity, while Thompson, considered a tough guy, has coaching experience with the AHL Edmonton Oil Kings, and rounds out the coaching staff.
As the Edmonton Oilers assign young players to the AHL affiliate, a few familiar faces will be on the Barons roster opening night. Ryan O’Marra, Milan Kytnar, Chris VandeVelde, Tanner House, Philippe Cornet, Mark Arcobello, Johan Motin, Alex Plante, Colten Tuebert acquired at the February 2011 trade deadline, and AHL rookie of the month for January 2011: Teemu Hartikainen, will be beginning their season in Oklahoma City. Fans may remember the first two goals in Barons’ history, being scored by Hartikainen.
“Our team will be younger up front, a little more savvy in the back,” said Evans. Signed with the Barons are veteran Bryan Helmer and Andrew Lord. “Guys like Helmer will be leading the way on the defensive end,” Evans said.
The Barons home opener coincides with the Susan G. Komen Foundation “Race for the Cure” in Oklahoma City. Race entrants can purchase a ticket to the Baron’s game, and in turn, the Barons will donate $4 to the Central and Western Oklahoma Affiliate for breast cancer research. Barons staff will participate in the race, with the next event taking place in the Convention Center. “Pink out the rink” is the goal, as every person who attends the October 15 home opener will receive a pink T-shirt commemorating the event.
The alignment of the Western Conference remains similar to last season, the exception being the addition of Charlotte.
“We play every team in the Western Conference, including Rochester and Charlotte,” said Evans. There will be 26 games against Texas teams this season: 10 games with the Texas Stars, eight games each with the Houston Aeros and San Antonio Rampage. The schedule includes the same number of home and away games for a particular opponent.
The Barons will host an open house at the Cox Convention Center the evening of October 11th. The fans will be able to watch a “light practice” from ice level, see the enhancements SMG has made to the Cox Center, and the changes made to the seating capacity.
“The outdoor signage is up,” Evans said. The south side of the area includes enormous photos of returning players Colten Tuebert, Bryan Helmer, and former Baron Goaltender Martin Gerber.
This season will also include a weekly radio show on Monday nights. The voice of the Barons, Jim Byers will be the host. Topics will range from sports marketing industry, to player movement to and from Edmonton, with the guest being the coaches and players. Radio station 96.1 KXY will host the radio show, as well as broadcast the games, which will be available online via the KXY website.
Contact the writer at gail.hamill@prohockeynews.com
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