LOVELAND, Colorado — The first thing you notice about the team on the ice is their size. The Colorado Eagles have always had great skill players and it appears that this season, they decided to seek out some size to go along with their skill.
The second thing you notice is that more than half of the faces you see are new faces. Of the twenty-eight players invited to the 2009-10 Colorado Eagles training camp, more than half of them were not here at season’s end, last spring.
Those returning from last season include Riley Nelson, Ryan Tobler, Andrew Penner, Adam Hogg, Jason Beatty, Kevin Ulanski, Aaron Schneekloth, Eddie McGrane, Steve Haddon, Jay Bernie, and Clay Thoring with Fraser Filipic still recovering from off season surgery.
Two others, defensemen Jason Lundmark and Brett Thurston, had previously played with the Eagles.
Lundmark played his rookie season with the Eagles in 2005-06. A smooth skating, offensive defenseman with a hard shot, Lundmark was the victim of a numbers game and was not retained for the playoffs that season.
After signing with the German pro league, GerObL, and playing in Germany for the last 3 seasons Lundmark chose to come back to North America and more precisely, to the Northern Colorado area and the friendly confines of the Budweiser Events Center to continue his career.
Jason Lundmark and Alex Penner – Photo by Terry Sanford
“Over, in Germany, the physical play was not really there.” Lundmark said. “I think that’s something I was kind of missing in my game. I’m going to get back into it now and am going to be more excited about getting more physical. Also, I was able to flourish a little bit over there offensively and hopefully I can maybe bring those skills back here and help out offensively.”
Brett Thurston, who helped the Eagles win the President’s Cup in 2007 and remained with the team for his rookie season in 2007-08, left the Eagles to play in the ECHL with the Reading Royals and the Phoenix Roadrunners last season. His return brings needed size and strength back to the Eagles blue line with his punishing style of play.
Newcomers on the defensive side are Mike Nesdill, Jim Jackson, Jeff Bieber, Felipe Larranga and rookie Baylor Dieter.
Andrew Penner, who backstopped the Governor’s Cup Champions last season is back for his second year in net for the Eagles. Although he has had offers to move up, the recently married Penner likes what he sees in Northern Colorado.
Andrew Penner – Photo by Terry Sanford
GM Chris Stewart offered a very special incentive to lure Penner back. Left wing Alex Penner, Andrew’s younger brother, a big tough kid who plays with an edge, was signed by the Eagles to help “beef up” the forward contingent.
“There were opportunities in other places, but I enjoy winning and this is a winning organization.” Penner said, “My wife and I love the area and obviously the lifestyle you get to live here is more than exceptional and the chance to play with my brother this year! Chris Stewart proposed that opportunity and that was something that I never thought I would be able to do in my career. It’s awesome! I am really looking forward to it!”
Mike Mole is the most likely candidate to back up Penner in net. Mole has played for several teams in the ECHL and AHL in his professional career. He brings a great deal of experience to this role.
Mike Mole – Photo by Terry Sanford
The third goalie in training camp this year is rookie Doug Raeder, a four-year player for NCAA tier three Middlebury College in Massachusets.
With longtime Captain and the high scoring heart and soul of the Colorado Eagles, Greg Pankewicz stepping off the ice and taking a spot behind the bench as an assistant coach, one might ask, where are the goals going to come from?
Returning forwards Riley Nelson, Ryan Tobler, Adam Hogg, Kevin Ulanski, Eddie McGrane and Steve Haddon can all be counted on to put the puck in the net in a regular basis, but in case those fellows need a little help GM Stewart and Coach Mclleland have brought in some high quality replacement parts for the well oiled Eagles scoring machine.
Tyler Barr and Shane Foster are a pair of rookies who appear to like the physical play. They fought each other in the team scrimmage game.
Tyler Barr and Shane Foster – Photo by Terry Sanford
Ryan Mcleod has been in the CHL for a couple years now, having played with both the New Mexico Scorpions and the Rocky Mountain Rage.
Colorado native, Derek Hansberry, played four years of division three NCAA hockey with the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where he also excelled academically.
Brett Lutes and Dan Welch, played previously in the ECHL as well as having European league experience.
Whatever the final makeup of this season’s version of the Colorado Eagles looks like, they can be counted on to be a hard working, highly skilled and very entertaining hockey team.
Drop the Puck!
Contact the author at terry.sanford@prohockeynews.com
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