NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – In the midst of a 5-1 rout of the visiting Wichita Thunder by the Fort Worth Brahmas, fans at the NYTEX Sports Centre witnessed a physical game erupt into an all-out battle between several players. At the 17:05 mark of the middle frame, Wichita’s Nathan Lutz went after Fort Worth’s Austin Mayer and with a little help from goaltender Kevin Regan, got the best of the Brahmas’ forward. During the third period, Fort Worth’s Jake Morley dropped the gloves with Wichita’s Dustin Donaghy. Donaghy, fresh off the injured reserve, served as an effective instigator throughout the contest and at the 10:17 mark of the frame, he challenged Morley as the team’s set up for a face-off. Morley was more than happy to oblige. It was a quick affair, with Morley effectively taking Donaghy to the ice. The two earned matching Fighting Majors and served their five minute sentences quietly. A little more than three minutes after their release, the two were at it again. The two battled toe-to-toe and unleashed a number of blows on their respective opponent. In the end, they were dead-locked and the two tired fighters were separated to make their way back to the locker rooms for an early shower. The Heavyweights: Jake Morley Hometown: Ogdensburg, NY Age: 24 Height: 6′ 2″ Weight: 218 Hits: Southpaw Dustin Donaghy Hometown: Cranbrook, BC Age: 23 Height: 5′ 11″ Weight: 196 Hits: Southpaw The following images were recorded on Wednesday evening at the NYTEX Sports Centre. First Round: * Second Round: * * * Contact the photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews

TULSA, Okla. – Sometimes it’s the small gestures that mean the most. That’s something Pro Hockey News’ John Hall has found out after a life-changing experience this summer. Hall, who works as a police dispatcher in Mannford, Oklahoma, was on duty Saturday, August 4th when he learned that one of more than a dozen wildfires burning across northeastern Oklahoma was heading straight for his home. “My mother who lives up the road, called me and said I needed to get around and get what I could and just be ready because the fire was coming from the west,” Hall told Tulsa’s KJRH News. It wasn’t long before he received word that his neighborhood had been devastated by the fire.

One of the items Hall lost in the fire was a hockey stick autographed by four-time Olympic medalist Angela Ruggiero, who made several U.S. professional hockey “firsts” on January 28, 2005, when she played for the Oilers against the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. That night, Ruggeiro became the first woman to actively play in a regular season professional hockey game in the United States at a position other than goalie. In addition, since her brother Bill Ruggiero also played for the Oilers, they were the first brother-sister combination to play professionally at the same time. Hall treasured the stick but along with many other things, he considered it to be one of the things he’d never see again. Enter Hall’s good friend and Pro Hockey News photojournalist Les Stockton. “I was always envious of that stick and after the fire, I asked the Oilers office if I paid for a new stick, could they contact Angela and get her to sign it as a replacement,” Stockton said. The team did him one better. Oilers Business Manager and Director of Game Operations Jessica Adams contacted Hall and asked if he would be interested in dropping the ceremonial first puck at the annual alumni game at the end of August, intimating that the organization had a surprise for him also.

Unfortunately, Hall had another commitment but Adams said she would contact him in the regular season schedule another time to do it. A week ago Monday, he heard from Adams again and it was decided he would drop the puck at Sunday’s game against the Fort Worth Brahmas. That afternoon, it didn’t take long for Hall to realize that members of the Oilers organization had something more in mind for him when he prepared to take the ice. “I knew they had something planned when Taylor Hall came into the penalty box with them before the game,” he said. Hall made his way across the red carpet to center ice at the BOK Center, followed by the Oilers General Manager. There, he was joined by Oilers Captain Tyler Fleck and Brahmas Captain Ross Rouleau for the ceremonial puck drop. Then, Hall says he was caught off guard when Taylor Hall presented him with another Sher-Wood hockey stick signed on the blade by Angela Ruggiero to replace the one he had lost. “I was so excited that I had another item from a historic event in Oilers history,” Hall said. “Angela has some Oilers gear in the Hockey Hall of Fame from the game she played here, so that’s a big deal.” But as Les Stockton tells it, that wasn’t all the Oilers GM had with him. “Since Taylor Hall has the same last name, he went ahead and presented John with a Hall jersey with the colors from when Taylor played with the Oilers.” “The sweater was over the top,” Hall said. “I’ve always wanted my name on the back of one…it was very humbling and exciting at the same time.” As an added bonus, the Oilers defeated the Brahmas 4-2. Les Stockton says the team really came through for John and told him he didn’t have to worry about any of the costs involved. “The Oilers took care of the cost of presenting John with that stick,” Stockton said. “Although I made the initial offer, they took care of the whole thing and I thought it was really nice. Getting something from the hockey community means something.” Hall says it was a gesture that he’ll never forget, not only from the Oilers organization but from Stockton as well. “I’m very appreciative of Les helping to arrange this,” Hall said. “He’s one of my best friends and has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. He was one of the first people to contact me after the fire and offer to help. Other friends I’ve met through hockey were quick to offer a helping hand as well. They’ve all been great and I can’t thank them enough.” Contact the writer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at les.stockton@prohockeynews.com Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews

FORT WORTH, Texas – Ask Brad Fogal what’s important in life and he’s likely to bring up things like giving back, remembering where you came from, and especially – remembering people that have been part of your life, because they’ve helped you become the person that you are.

Fogal, 26, is entering his second professional season as the presumed number one goaltender for the Central Hockey League’s Fort Worth Brahmas, whose season opens October 26th. He joined the team back on March 26th and helped backstop the team through two playoff series, earning a 5-4 record with a 2.03 GAA and a .911 Save Percentage.
Prior to going pro, Fogal finished a standout four-year career at Adrian College as the NCAA Division III record holder for most career wins. He posted a 2.04 GAA, a .922 Save Percentage and 15 shutouts while going 93-11-2 in 106 games.
As a senior, the Sharon, Ontario native went 25-4-1 with a 2.23 GAA and a .923 Save Percentage in 30 games while helping Adrian to a fourth straight Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association title, a second consecutive NCAA Frozen Four appearance and a berth in the Division III national title game.
Fogal signed with the CHL’s Quad City Mallards last July and was planning to join the teams’ then head coach and general manager David Bell at the International Softball Congress Men’s Fastball World Tournament in Moline, Illinois beginning on August 14th. Fogal, who has been playing softball since he was five years old, was a member of Team Canada in the 2005 ISF World Championships, where he earned a bronze medal. He earned a gold medal in the 2005 Canada Games playing for Team Ontario.
But on August 11th, his younger sister, 23-year-old Ashley lost her life on the way to a Miranda Lambert concert with a friend when her car was hit head-on by a drunk driver in Rama, Ontario. The tragedy devastated Fogal, who comes from a tight-knit family and was especially close to Ashley, who was his number one fan and loved going to games to cheer on her big brother.
Though still in mourning, Fogal attended the Mallards’ training camp in October and went on to play 10 games with the team, earning a 6-2-0 record. He also played for the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones (11 games) and Kalamazoo Wings (one game) prior to joining the Brahmas to finish his rookie season.
During the off-season, about a year after Ashley’s death, Fogal sat down with artist Steve Nash of Eye Candy Air – a company in Woodbridge, Ontario that specializes in custom airbrush painting and portraiture art for goalie masks and helmets. He explained that he wanted his new mask to honor his late sister.
Fogal says he talked about some basic things he wanted but gave Nash full artistic license over the mask. He provided five or six photos of Ashley and told him to include the ones he felt would fit best.
“We went over a few things – I had an idea what the back plate would look like and I always get “FOGZ” on the chin, but other than that, I had no clue how he was going to lay it out,” Fogal added. “We talked about the black and white and gray-tone theme, but other than that, it’s always a surprise when I get something from Nashie.”
Nash went to work on the design and before long, it was ready.
“I think we sat down and talked the one night and about two weeks later I got a call to come pick it up,” Fogal said. “When Steve puts his mind to something, it doesn’t really take him too long.”
“I saw it for the first time when I picked it up…I loved it,” Fogal said.
* The top of the mask reads “FREEBIRD” “It’s based on the Lynyrd Skynyrd song,” Fogal said. “There’s a tattoo my sister had on the back of her neck…the song just really hit home with her. I guess she’d say it was kind of her theme song. How she passed and the whole story behind her life…it just kind of summed it up perfectly.” The right side of the mask features two images of Ashley, along with a silhouette of her wearing a cowgirl hat. The left side of the mask features the image of a bird in flight. The chin of the mask is adorned with Fogal’s nickname, “FOGZ”. A close up of one of the images of Ashley Fogal. Another close-up of one of the images of Ashley Fogal. The back plate of the mask features a silhouette of Ashley in a sunset wearing a cowgirl hat, framed by a horseshoe. Her name, the year of her birth and that of her death finish out the image.
“It’s an emotional mask for me. I’m honored that Steve did such a great job with it as he always does with all of my masks. It’s a fitting tribute to her.”
Contact the writer/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – The Allen Americans scored three unanswered goals Friday night, winning the first game of a home-and-away pre-season series against the Fort Worth Brahmas, 3-1. Allen goalie Aaron Dell earned the win after stopping 11 of 11 shots faced in relief of Shane Madolora, who stopped 10 of 11. A feisty first frame was highlighted by the first score of the contest by the Brahmas’ Shawn Skelly off the set up by Sy Nutkevitch and Paul Kruceba. Less than four minutes later, the already physical game erupted into the first of four fights when Allen’s Harry Mahesh tangled with the Brahmas’ Chad Huttel. Both got an early trip to the locker room on mutual Fighting Major’s. Allen outshot Fort Worth 12-9 in the opening 20. A Cross Checking call on the Brahmas’ Kruceba led to the Americans first tally at the 5:58 mark of the second when Anthony Maiani beat the Brahmas’ Kristofer Westblom, assisted by Jason Deitsch and Trevor Ludwig at the 14:02 mark. Midway through the period, referee Zak Blazik ejected Allen’s Mahesh following his second fight of the game, this time with the Brahmas’ Stuart Jacobsen. The shots were even at seven in the second period and the game remained knotted at 1-1 after 40 minutes. Ryley Grantham put the Americans in the lead 5:18 into the third period after scoring Allen’s second power play goal of the night with assists from Tyler Ludwig and Scott Howes. Stuart Jacobsen was himself ejected from the contest after his second fight immediately following Grantham’s goal, with Allen’s Brad Gallant. 12 seconds later, Brahmas defenseman Daniel Barnes dropped the gloves with Allen’s Chapen Leblond and both received Fighting Majors for their efforts. Trevor Ludwig netted his second point of the night and first goal of the pre-season at the 7:36 mark to make it a 3-1 game – which ended up as the final score.
The Americans will host the Fort Worth Brahmas tonight at the Allen Event Center with the opening face-off set for 7:05 p.m. CST. The following images were recorded at the NYTEX Sports Centre on Friday evening.

* * * Contact the writer/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – Their season ended in the blink of an eye during Game Six of the Berry Conference Finals on April 23rd, when Wichita’s Matt Robinson snuck in unassisted and scored 4:44 into sudden death overtime, giving the Thunder a 3-2 victory and a trip to the Ray Miron President’s Cup Championship series. Now, less than six months later, nine members of that Texas Brahmas squad have returned to the NYTEX Sports Centre, joined by 21 other players who are fighting for 18 spots on the final roster which will be determined after a week-long training camp culminating in two exhibition games this weekend against the Allen Americans. The team, which will return to their roots this season and reclaim their former name –  the Fort Worth Brahmas – is in the process of completing a sale to a local ownership group and suffice it to say – there’s a lot of unfinished business on the agenda. There was a slight sense of deja-vu for head coach Dan Wildfong after that disappointing Monday night in April.
“I think if you look at it historically, in my first year as a coach, we came really close to making it (to the championship series),” Wildfong said. “We lost to Colorado in Game Seven up there and I think the guys got a little bit of the taste – how close they were and you know, how hard it was to get there. Then the next year, we brought in a lot of returning players and I think that gave them the extra push.”

That it did as the Brahmas steamrolled their way though the regular season and ultimately to the championship series, which they won in five games against that same Colorado team. “Hopefully (this season) the returning players we’ve brought in with the mix of new guys can really give us a push to win a championship this year.” Those returning players include goaltender Brad Fogal, defensemen Ross Rouleau and Erik Spady and forwards Adam Hogg, Chad Woollard, Brendon Hodge, Calin Wild, Phil Fox and Sy Nutkevitch.  Wildfong, who is entering his sixth season as head coach of the Brahmas has endured a brutal off-season of recruiting due to the pending sale of the team that at times, looked like it may not happen at all. 
“It’s been really tough, but you know, it’s adversity – it’s like anything,” he said. “You know, I lost some key players that were gonna come here – but at the end of the day it didn’t happen. I think the lockout really helps us this year as there’s a lot of players out there but it has been a really tough summer, really tough. Not just for me but for everyone in the organization from top to bottom.” Despite that adversity, Wildfong, who is easily one of the best recruiting coaches in the Central Hockey League, has once again brought in a group of talented propects to compete for the openings on the 2012-13 roster. This includes a number of rookies, which mirrors his strategy last year – a strategy that paid off in the long run.
“We’re going to be young again,” Wildfong said. “I liked how we went young last year. We had a nice mix of a couple of older guys that helped lead the young guys. I’m impressed with some of these young guys so far.”
They include goaltenders Jonathan LaRose, Kristofer Westblom and Daniel Clarke who will compete for the number two spot behind Brad Fogal, who joined the Brahmas on March 26th and quickly made a name for himself as he took over for an over-worked Mark Guggenberger. Defensive prospects include Richard Dart, Paul Kruceba, Dustin Korlak, Mike Baran, Cody Hamilton, Ryan Barlock and Chad Huttel. On offense, Wildfong has brought in Tomas Klempa, Shawn Skelly, Kevin Willer, Daniel Barczuk, Ian Boots, Mark Thorburn, Brian Yanovitch, Stuart Jacobson, Justin Fox, Colin McIntosh and Paul Lee. Lee, a 23-year-old rookie forward from Garden City, N.Y. who recently completed his collegiate career at Dartmouth has enjoyed his time in camp thus far and has won praise for his strong work ethic.    “It’s obviously a new experience,” Lee said. “I haven’t gone through anything quite like this. In college we had two-a-days, but you’re not fighting for a job as you are here. There’s some long days, but you’re learning a lot and just trying to go out there and work hard and make sure you get the systems down and make sure you know how to play the team game that they want to play here.”
After just four days together, Wildfong has been pleased with how the group has progressed but says the real test will come this weekend.

TEMPE, Ariz. – Here we are, just eight days from the start of training camps, 12 days from the opening of the pre-season schedule and 19 days from the start of the 2012-13 Central Hockey League season – can you feel the excitement? That’s more nervous excitement for fans of the Texas Brahmas who have yet to hear from the club, but Brahmas fans can be assured there will be hockey at the NYTEX Sports Centre (and elsewhere), this season. The timing and details involved with the sale of the franchise have no doubt created numerous circumstances that have led to continued silence from the club, but things are being worked out and players are beginning to head to North Texas in anticipation of the team’s training camp. It’s an understatement to say that nothing has worked out the way everyone would have liked this off-season, but continue to be patient Brahmas fans – and be happy there will be a season after all.
In other news around the league: Allen Americans
The Allen Americans announced the signing of forward Ryley Grantham on Friday, to a contract for the up-coming 2012-2013 season. Grantham is a former sixth round draft pick of the of the Calgary Flames, 161st overall, in the 2008 NHL entry draft.   Grantham, 24, is a native of Hanna, Alberta, standing 6′ 3″, 210 pounds. He will begin his first season with the Allen Americans, after spending last year under the direction of Head Coach Steve Martinson with the Chicago Express of the ECHL. In 19 games, Grantham had 11 points, and 75 penalty minutes.   “Ryley Grantham is a tough physical forward with great hands,” Martinson said. “I expect him to score goals, make plays, and be a tough forward to play against.”   Prior to Chicago, Grantham spent parts of two seasons in the ECHL,with both Gwinnett and Utah. He played in 89 games with the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League from 2009-2011, collecting 163 penalty minutes in 2009.   Grantham played junior hockey for three seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL from 2006-2008, and a stint with the Kelowna Rockets in 2008-2009. Grantham has been invited to the Houston Aeros training camp scheduled to open on September 28th in Minnesota. The Aeros are the AAA minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Wild.
In other news, the following players will attend AHL training camps:
Trevor Ludwig (D) – Oklahoma City Barons
Ryley Grantham (F) – Houston Aeros
Scott Howes (F) – Texas Stars
Arizona Sundogs
There was no news of note from the Sundogs organization this week.
Bloomington Blaze
The Blaze announced the return of one of last season’s top scorers – Kyle Laughlin. The 6′ 0″, 190-pound forward begins his fourth professional season and his second campaign in Bloomington. He registered 22 goals with 19 assists for 41 points during the Blaze’s inaugural season of 2011-12. He was second on the squad in goals and third in points while playing in 62 games. “Kyle had a strong season with the Blaze last year scoring 22 goals,” Blaze coach Brian Gratz said. “He has worked hard this summer to continue to improve his game to be an even bigger contributor this upcoming season. I look forward to seeing his improvement on the ice.”
He was a standout and co-captain during four years at Providence College. He is the son of former NHL player and current Washington Capitals television analyst Craig Laughlin.
Denver Cutthroats
There was no news of note from the Cutthroats organization this week.
In other news, the following players will attend AHL training camps:
A.J. Gale (F) – Lake Erie Monsters Missouri Mavericks
There was no news of note from the Mavericks organization this week. Quad City Mallards On Wednesday, the Mallards announced they have signed defenseman Mitch McColm and forward Mike Owens.  McColm, a 6′ 4″, 212-pound 23-year old, scored three goals and added a pair of assists in 12 games for South Alberta Institute of Technology last season.   “Mitch is a big, strong, tough, reliable defenseman who you put out there when the game is on the line,” Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski said. “He may not be flashy but he sure is effective and is a mainstay at the point position. I’m really excited to have him on our team.” McColm spent last season in the Canadian university ranks after missing most of the prior campaign due to injury. 2010-11 would have been McColm’s first full professional season had he not been limited to just three games- two for the ECHL’s Florida Everblades and one for the CHL’s Allen Americans. The Calgary native broke into pro hockey with Florida at the tail end of the 2009-10 season. Before joining the Everblades, McColm spent three full seasons- and parts of two other campaigns- in the major junior Western Hockey League, where he skated for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Tri-City Americans, Chilliwack Bruins and Regina Pats.  Owens, 24, joins the Mallards after enjoying a standout senior season at Massachusetts-Dartmouth that saw him named a 2011-12 Division III Third Team East All-American. Owens, who served as the Corsairs’ captain, finished last season tied for second in the nation in goals (23) and tied for seventh in points (40). He also scored seven power play goals and three game winners over 27 games. “Mike’s coming off an outstanding final season in college where he’s shown he can be very productive and also taken on leadership responsibilities as a captain,” Ruskowski said. “Now I’m looking forward to seeing him show those skills in the Quad Cities.” All-American status was just one of a host of honors Owens earned last year. The South Boston native was also named Massachusetts Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year, a member of the All-MASCAC First Team and a MASCAC Academic All-Conference selection. In addition, he was named a finalist for the Sid Watson Memorial Award, which is presented to the top Division III player in the nation. Over his four-year collegiate career, the 5′ 10″, 187-pound Owens scored 42 times and recorded 80 points in 101 games. As a junior, Owens helped propel UMD to the MASCAC regular season title.  On Thursday, the Mallards announced they have signed goaltender Kurt Jory and forward Eddie Effinger. Jory, 25, went 12-13-0 with a 3.28 goals against average and a .871 save percentage in 25 games while serving as team captain for Brock University in Ontario last season. The Brandon, Manitoba native made a remarkable return to the ice with Brock for the 2010-11 season after suffering a severed artery in his neck during a November, 2008 game. “Kurt’s not only a solid goaltender but also a leader and someone who’s good in the locker room,” Ruskowski said. “It takes a lot to overcome the kind of injury he had especially because something like that stays with you, so he’s shown a strong will and strong mind to overcome that. He just wants a chance to show what he can do on the ice and we’re happy to give him that chance.” The 6′ 1″, 185-pound Jory posted a 2.96 goals against average and a .890 save percentage while going 30-36-0 over three seasons at Brock. His 2010-11 comeback campaign proved so successful that Jory was named the Badgers’ Most Valuable Player for the second time after going 12-14-0 in 27 games with a 2.84 goals against average and a .899 save percentage. He first earned team MVP honors in his first year at Brock, a season that saw Jory set a school single season record by turning in a 2.63 goals against average.  Jory enrolled at Brock after spending four seasons in the Canadian junior ranks with the Neepawa Natives of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, the Brandon Wheat Kings of the major junior Western Hockey League and the Langley Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League.  Effinger, 24, last season scored 11 goals and totaled 21 points in 23 games while captaining Amherst College to a New England Small College Athletic Conference title and the school’s first ever berth in NCAA Division III Frozen Four.  “Eddie’s a promising young player who’s coming off a strong college career where he was a key contributor to a winning program,” Ruskowski said.  “He’s also another guy who’s shown really good leadership qualities. Good two-way players like him are an important part of any team.” Effinger, a 5′ 9″, 175-pound Belleville, Illinois, native, scored 38 goals and produced 77 points in 97 games over his four years at Amherst. Last year marked the second time during Effinger’s college career that he and the Lord Jeffs claimed both the NESCAC title and an NCAA tournament bid. Amherst also accomplished the feat in 2008-09. Eddie Effinger also boasts strong hockey bloodlines- he is the younger brother of goaltender Charlie Effinger, who signed with the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets this off-season after competing against the Mallards for the Missouri Mavericks last year.
Rapid City Rush
There was no news of note from the Rush organization this week.
In other news, the following players will attend AHL training camps:
Jordan Behler (D) – Worcester Sharks
Michael Glaicar (D) – Peoria Rivermen
Texas Brahmas
There was no news of note from the Brahmas organization this week, but we’re quite used to that.
Tulsa Oilers
The Tulsa Oilers are bringing back a fan favorite and one of the top scorers in minor league hockey with the signing of David Alexandre Beauregard for the 2012-13 season. Beauregard, a 1994 draft pick of the San Jose Sharks, has played in nine leagues and four countries over the span of a 16-year professional career. The 36-year old spent the last two seasons helping the Nottingham Panthers of the English League win back-to-back championships. “Tulsa is my home and I have so many good memories from playing here before,” Beauregard said. “I’m very excited to be an Oiler again because I know so many people here, I know many of the players on the team and I’m expecting it to be a great year.” “David is a great addition to our team,” Oilers Head Coach Bruce Ramsay said. “He’s a proven winner and a proven goal-scorer and I know his leadership will be a huge contribution to our club. We’re thrilled to have him back in Tulsa.” In Beauregard’s first year in Tulsa (2006-07), the left-winger poured in 39 goals and registered 32 assists in 64 games. The following season, Beauregard continued his torrid scoring pace with 35 goals and 36 assists. Beauregard left the Oilers to play in England and Italy but returned to Tulsa for 16 games during the 2009-10 season. Already a seasoned veteran in his first tour with Tulsa, this time around, Beauregard will be the oldest player on the Oilers roster. “It’s not about the age, it’s all about the passion and I still have the passion for the game,” Beauregard said. “If I didn’t think I could help the team, I wouldn’t have signed but I think I can still score a few goals and I’ll be able to help our young guys. I’m probably not going to have 40 goals and 100 points, but I just want to win, I want to have fun, and I want to help everybody.” After starting his professional career in 1996 with the AHL’s Kentucky Thoroughblades, Beauregard got his first taste of the CHL when he arrived in Wichita in 1997. In 57 games with the Thunder, Beauregard put up 71 points (42 goals, 29 assists) and earned Rookie of the Year honors. In 13 of the next 14 seasons, Beauregard scored 25 or more goals and reached the 50-goal plateau three times. His attitude and demeanor on the ice earned the respect of his opponents, and in 2007-08, Beauregard was named the CHL’s Most Gentlemanly Player. “I’m a guy who gets along with almost everyone,” Beauregard said. “Right now we have a great group of guys on this team who like to compete so I can’t wait to get this season going.”
The Tulsa Oilers announced today the signings of defenseman Chris Waterstradt and goaltender Dan Bakala for the 2012-13 season.
Waterstradt, a native Tulsan who grew up cheering for the Oilers, will get his first taste of pro hockey after finishing successful collegiate career at the University of Connecticut. The 6′ 2″ 185-pound blue liner was six years old when he started attending Oilers games at the Convention Center. The kid who idolized names like Doug Lawrence, Luc Beausoleil, Sly Naud, and Tom Karalis, now has a chance to follow in their footsteps.
“It’s neat to be part of the team I grew up watching and to have the opportunity to play in my hometown, I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Waterstradt said. “The Oilers were like an NHL team to me when I was a kid, and I got to know some of them as I got older. For those great players to know my name and give me advice was something I never would have had in a bigger city.”
“It’s awesome to bring in a guy like Chris because it just goes to show you that pro hockey players can come from anywhere, even right here in our own backyard,” Ramsay said. “There is some good talent right here in Tulsa and I hope some of these young kids in youth hockey will look at Chris as an inspiration.”
After graduating from Thomas Edison High School in 2005, the 25-year old Waterstradt played one season of junior hockey with the Springfield Junior Blues (NAHL) before heading northeast to play for the Huskies. At UConn, Waterstradt was part of a defensive unit that included current Oilers Sean Erickson and Nick Schneider.
“Both Sean and Nick really helped me adjust to the college game, and I know they’ll help me out as I adjust to this level,” Waterstradt said. “I never would have seen us all ending up on the same team after college.  We’re really good friends and this is a unique situation.”
Bakala, a native of Calgary, Alberta joins the Oilers after four years at Bemidji State University in Minnesota where he played alongside Oilers forwards Ryan Cramer and Drew Fisher. In the 2009-10 season with the Beavers, Bakala posted 19 wins and a stellar 2.33 goals against average in 31 appearances.
“I thought it’d be nice to start my career playing with some guys I know,” Bakala said. “I’m familiar with the CHL and I know the guys who play in that league have good track records, so it’s going to be a challenge, but I’m really looking forward to getting into camp and getting started.”
“Dan is an outstanding young goaltender and I think he can be a tremendous asset to our team,” Ramsay said. “It’s such an important position but with his background and experience, I think he can have a big impact as a rookie.”
Bakala, 24, played his junior hockey for the Calgary Royals. The 5′ 11″ 185-pound netminder says he was convinced Tulsa was the right fit after hearing what Ramsay expects from his players.
“He did a good job of selling the program,” Bakala said. “He wants to see guys move up and he finds it in his best interest for players to move up and improve. He wants to develop my game and help me become more successful and that’s exactly the kind of coach I want to play for.”
In other news, the following players will attend AHL training camps:
Ian Keserich (G) – Oklahoma City Barons
Gary Steffes (F) – Oklahoma City Barons
Wichita Thunder
There was no news of note from the Thunder organization this week.
Contact the editor/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com Follow us on Twitter (@prohockeynews)