HOLTY’S BLOG: Welcome to Oil Country

From going to the ECHL League Meetings and spending two weeks back home in Boston, the blog has taken a pretty long hiatus. First, I want to thank everyone for the congratulations, tweets, emails, and well wishes myself and @KevinBartl received for the 2012-13 ECHL Award of Excellence in Media Relations.

More importantly, I want to welcome new friends of the blog in Alberta, Oklahoma, and around the world. If you have not read one of these before, and you probably have not, it’s a space where I like to keep things lighthearted, informative, and hopefully entertaining. It comes out every Thursday during the offseason. Unless I’m on vacation or we announce an affiliation with an NHL team. Then it might not come out at all or it will be on a Friday.

As friends of the blog can tell you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want. Now for the blog…

Normally I like to do a list in my blogs. I thought about giving you my five favorite Oilers players of all-time, but opted against it, in favor of explaining a few things affiliation related. Perhaps they will clear up some questions you might have.

As our hockey ops staff (kudos for securing the affiliation by the way) has said, an NHL affiliation does not guarantee anything. But, a good NHL affiliation can pave the way for success. We have a GREAT setup here in Bakersfield. The LARGEST full-time hockey ops staff in the league and fairly certain, the largest front office staff, all dedicated to delivering the best on and off the ice product imaginable. Couple the tremendous structure with one of, if not the best, affiliation at this level and the pieces are in place to make the 2013-14 campaign, the best yet.

For #Condorstown fans, expect to see 5-8 contracted players in Bakersfield this season. Sure, there will be call-ups, injuries, and other unforeseen events, but that is what makes this league fun. As Coach Mann said, you can win by developing or develop through winning and we plan on the latter. This may mean some players you saw in a Thunder sweater in years past may end up donning Condors colors this season. Don’t worry. We have a machine which rids them of Thunderness (that’s not a word, kids).

For Oilers and Barons fans, expect to get the best from us. Most of you have probably heard of our organization in one way or the other through our marketing and promotional ideas that gained international prominence. Along with that, we are pillars of the community, the best show in town, and do all we can to send fans home happy. If you have not seen one of our legendary Teddy Bear Tosses for charity, watch this video – click here.

Follow us (as so many of you already have) on Twitter and Instagram (@Condors), Like us on Facebook (/bakersfieldcondors), check out our pictures on Pinterest (Condorstown) as well.

We’re excited to be In the Pipeline and if there is one thing you should expect about the 2013-14 season, it’s Expect the Unexpected.

Have any questions or blog idea? Tweet them or email me! Until next time Condorstown…

Ryan Holt a.k.a. Holty, is the voice of the Condors and recently wrapped up year two in Condorstown. He will accept bribes for information. Have a #HoltysBlog idea? Follow him on Twitter @BroadcastHolt or shoot him an email with ideas to rholt@bakersfieldcondors.com