HOLTY’S BLOG: BACK AT IT

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A couple blogs back I let you know that announcements would be pretty frequent. That wasn’t even including the AHL schedule being released this week, six weeks earlier than last year!

I tell ya, where did the offseason go? When I was younger, had more hair, and talked with more of an accent, it seemed like the offseason went on forever. Now? It just flies by.

You may want me to quit rambling and get into the blog, but every blog needs a setup, and as I’ll remind you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want.

Now for the blog…

– First off, I’m not one for schedule breakdowns. There are a few things I look for when I look at a schedule, but overall I’m not nitpicky on back-to-backs, overnight travel etc. Remember, we were once in the ECHL. The schedule nowadays is a piece of cake comparatively. But, for the sake of the blog, let’s take a look at some things.

– First, a note that Condors Monday-Thursday home games start at 6:30 p.m., Fridays stay at 7 p.m., and Saturdays are back to 7 p.m. Mike Griffith had more with Matthew Riley in this week’s The Bakersfield Californian article.

– Second, will I deal with actual winter this year? Yes. After not seeing snow last year, the five-hour bus ride from Des Moines to Rosemont, Ill. in late January seems promising. Also, Winnipeg in April could be a 50-60 degree temperature drop from Bakersfield at that time.

– Des Moines (Iowa Wild), Rosemont, Ill. (Chicago Wolves), and Rockford, Ill. (Rockford IceHogs) are three new opponents this year so that’s always nice to add to the mix. I haven’t been to any of the three (other than us flying out of Chicago a few years back on a 3-in-3 in 3 states tour), so I’m always up for it. There are two off days between the Chicago and Rockford games so might have a Sunday to kick around Chi-town for a little bit.

– New food spots. I eat. It’s what I do. Des Moines should be covered considering half our staff is from Iowa (a little bit of an exaggeration, but not much), Rockford is where @KevinBartl started, so he’s guaranteed to have a good spot, and let’s face it, a Chicago Italian Beef sandwich has my name written all over it.

– The Oilers signed 27-year old D Yohann Auvitu, a French d-man who spent last year between New Jersey and Albany in his first season in North America. He has over 200 games played in Finland and adds depth to the organization, especially with Andrej Sekera out at least for a good chunk of the first half of the season. It’ll give the Oilers options with who they want in Edmonton and who to send to Bakersfield early on and then when Sekera returns, it should help the Condors even more.

– On that … he speaks FIVE languages! Some would say I barely speak one correctly.

– Earlier this morning, the Oilers signed LW Joey LaLeggia to a one-year deal. He has established himself as probably the best winger prospect in the system. Interested to see how he follows it up with a full season up front.


– Congratulations to former Condors Head Coach Matt O’Dette who was named the head coach of the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds yesterday. He coached Oilers D prospect Ethan Bear there.


– Lock of the week? This two days off without baseball after the All-Star Game is stupid. Let’s get back at it. Fortunately, the Red Sox host the Yankees on national TV basically all weekend, so let’s go with them to take three of four at home. British Open pick coming next week.

Until next time Condorstown…

Ryan Holt a.k.a. Holty is the Voice of the Condors and enters his 7th season this October. He’s not a fan of deep dish pizza. Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty for more nonsense or shoot him an e-mail to Rholt@bakersfieldcondors.com with questions, comments, or blog ideas.