HOLTY’S BLOG: ON TO EXECUTION
On The Scott Cox Show today, Condors Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said “we’re out of the preparation phase and on to the execution phase.”
You may enjoy preparation, and that’s fine, but as I’ll remind you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want. And it’s time to execute.
Now for the blog…
– Woodcroft is wrapping up the family vacation north of Toronto on the lake. Full disclaimer, I think everyone in Canada has a cabin and goes to the lake during the summer. It’s like Bakersfield folk going to Pismo. It’s just what you do.
– The staff will then come together in a couple weeks for a week of rookie camp in Edmonton. Jay mentioned that rookie camp will feature a lot of players who will eventually make their way to Bakersfield. “It’s an opportunity not only for the players to make an impression on managers and coaches, but an opportunity for the coaches to lay the foundation and the building blocks for the upcoming season.”
– I liked his line especially of “Todd McLellan has the philosophy of the best players are going to play and the players are going to decide, through their actions, who will play and where they will play. We’re going to bring that to Bakersfield.”
– One of the things discussed was goaltending and while there wasn’t a mention of names, Woodcroft saw the organizational depth as a strength. There are six goaltenders under contract and eligible to play professionally this season: Cam Talbot, Mikko Koskinen, Al Montoya, Shane Starrett, Stuart Skinner, and Dylan Wells. As he mentioned, the goaltending competition / battle will be one of the most interesting battles of training camp.
– Speaking of goaltenders, Stuart Skinner got engaged over the weekend.
– In last week’s blog, we laid out 3-4 available routes to go following the long-term injury to Andrej Sekera. Edmonton went out and signed free agent Jakub Jerabek who spent last season between Montreal and Washington. While he played some of the season in AHL last year, the 28-year old figures to be in the NHL mix this season. Still, it creates competition and options between Edmonton and Bakersfield’s blue line.
“(My agent) called me saying that Edmonton had an offer. I was very happy & excited.” New d-man Jakub Jerabek felt one-year contract with the #Oilers was the right fit. https://t.co/j9cFwIIKvU
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) August 22, 2018
– Also on the Oilers website, a nice look back at the year of Ty Rattie who was re-energized in Bakersfield and impressed with the Oilers. He spent time in St. Louis with Scottie Upshall too who was signed to a PTO by the Oilers over the weekend. Again, creating competition and options heading into training camp.
After leading the @Condors in goal-scoring and finishing the season with @EdmontonOilers, Ty Rattie is training for a career year.
→ https://t.co/5qtQrjc1u1 pic.twitter.com/nFdniscfDi
— AHL (@TheAHL) August 22, 2018
– We’re one month away from ice being skated on in Bakersfield. Fun fact.
– Off topic a bit, but it’s “Players Weekend” in MLB where players pick the names on their jerseys. It is fun and I think it should be brought into hockey, but it’s definitely a nod of appreciation to Seinfeld Night when the Condors had character names on the backs of jerseys.
– Two years ago, we announced Winterfest and The Outdoor Classic. I haven’t had any of those hot mini donuts from that truck since, but if you’re reading, our office is located at 1001 Truxtun.
– LOCK OF THE WEEK? Well the team from Georgia is still alive in Williamsport. If they win today they’re in the US Championship against Hawaii. So that’s a plus. This week’s lock though takes us to the first leg of the PGA Tour’s “PLAYOFFS.” I’m going off the board with 30-1 shot Tommy Fleetwood at this week’s Northern Trust Open.
Until next time Condorstown…
Ryan Holt is the Voice of the Condors and enters his 8th season in 2018-19. Favorite donut? Boston Kreme of course. Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty for more nonsense or shoot him an e-mail to RHolt@BakersfieldCondors.com with questions, comments, or blog ideas.
