6 things you need to know

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CONDORSTOWN, Calif. – The Bakersfield Condors, owned by the Edmonton Oilers, are set for the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2015-16. Throughout the offseason, the team will give you a “What you need to know” synopsis around the world of hockey.
1. OILERS HIRE TODD MCLELLAN AS HEAD COACH
  • The Edmonton Oilers announced earlier today that Todd McLellan will be their next head coach.
  • McLellan, 46, recently was the head coach of the San Jose Sharks where he compiled a record of 311-163-66 over seven seasons with six Stanley Cup Playoffs appearances, three division titles, and back-to-back Western Conference Finals berths in 2010 and 2011.
  • He was the head coach of the Team Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Championships which went undefeated en route to a gold medal over the weekend. The team featured Oilers stars Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle.
2. BARONS FIGHT THEIR WAY TO GAME 7
  • With over a hundred Condors fans tuned in at a watch party held last night, the Oklahoma City Barons won Game 6 in Utica, 2-1, to force Game 7 on Wednesday night.
  • Former Condors LW Kellen and C Connor Jones each had three shots in the game and G Richard Bachman stopped 33 of 34 shots in the win.
  • The winner of Game 7 will advance to play in the Western Conference Finals against the 2nd seeded Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings). In the Eastern Conference the Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings) will take on the Hartford Wolf Pack (New York Rangers) after the Wolf Pack eliminated former Condors Head Coach Troy Mann and the Hershey Bears last round.
3. LEON LEADS KELOWNA TO MEMORIAL CUP BERTH
  • The Kelowna Rockets are off to the four-team Memorial Cup thanks in large part to Western Hockey League (WHL) Playoff MVP and highly touted Oilers prospect C Leon Draisaitl (pronounced: DRY-SIGH-tull).
  • Kelowna joins Rimouski (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), Oshawa (Ontario Hockey League) and the host Quebec Remparts in the round-robin tournament.
  • The Rockets open up on Friday against Quebec and play Monday against Rimouski before concluding round robin play on Tuesday against Oshawa.
  • Another Oilers prospect, Marco Roy (Drafted: 2nd round / 56 overall / 2013) is back in the lineup for the Remparts and will look to get his team the Memorial Cup.
  • Many games will be featured on the NHL Network in the US, so be sure to check local listings.
4. NHL CONFERENCE FINALS UNDERWAY; DUCKS IN ACTION TONIGHT 

  • The Anaheim Ducks host the Chicago Blackhawks tonight (6 p.m. / NBCSN) leading the series, 1-0.
  • In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Tampa Bay Lightning surged offensively in a 6-2 win over the New York Rangers to even their series at 1-1.
  • The Lightning roster featured 14 skaters who played in the AHL plus their goaltender Ben Bishop. Five of the six goal scorers were Syracuse Crunch alumni alone. On the Rangers side, 15 of the 18 skaters played in the AHL.
  • On the Western side, 15 of the 18 Ducks skaters plus their netminder Frederik Anderson played in the AHL while 12 of the 18 Blackhawks plus goalie Corey Crawford played in the AHL.
5. BURGDOERFER RE-SIGNS IN HERSHEY

  • One of the most familiar and recognizable Condors in recent history, D Erik Burgdoerfer re-signed a one-year AHL contract with the Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals). Burgdoerfer played 58 games with the Bears this season with seven points (1g-6a) and a +8 rating. He played in all 10 Calder Cup Playoff games with one assist and was +1
  • Burgdoerfer played parts of four seasons with the Condors, amassing 269 games (2nd most for a defenseman in team history) and 75 points (6th most for a defenseman in team history).
6. STEFFES LEADING ALLEN IN CONFERENCE FINALS

  • Former Condor C Gary Steffes is tied for fourth in the ECHL goal-scoring race with seven goals (two off the league lead) as the Allen Americans split the opening two games of the Western Conference Finals with the Ontario Reign.
  • On the other side of the bracket, the South Carolina Stingrays have a 2-0 series lead over the Toledo Walleye.
AHL CONDORS MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE! 
Be part of history as the Condors move to the American Hockey League in 2015-16. Memberships begin for less than $17/month. contact the Condors at 324-PUCK (7825) for more information