MISSOURI RIVER OTTERS SEASON PREVIEW
It’s ‘The Real Deal’ This Season
By Louis J. Launer
There is a definite buzz among Missouri River Otter fans this October. To some of the long-time fans, this particular buzz is a feeling that hasn’t been felt in four seasons.
The River Otters have a number of new players. As training camp started on October 10, the team signed Dan Carney, a ten-year veteran of the East Coast Hockey League. Earlier this summer, Carney signed with the Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL. As a result of Hurricane Rita, the Beaumont-based Wildcatters have suspended operations.
River Otters Head Coach Kevin Kaminski expressed keenness with the new veteran forward.
“Dan will bring veteran leadership and a terrific worth ethic to our hockey team,” Kaminski said. “He’s a very tenacious and gritty centerman who we expect to be a role model for some of our younger players.”
The 33-year-old Carney also spent one season (2004-05) with the San Angelo Saints (Texas) of the Central Hockey League. Carney’s ECHL experience includes several seasons with the Roanoke Express and the Hampton Roads Admirals. He helped win a Kelly Cup for the Admirals in 1998.
Defenseman Leif Thorkelson arrived in training camp with a bruised shoulder and was not able to practice due to the injury. He is out for the season.
Veteran Lars Pettersen is back in a River Otter jersey and will be joined by new team members Jim Murphy and Brad MacMillan on one scoring line. “MacMillan looked excellent and is very excited to get back on the ice after an injury-plagued season last year,” Kaminski said.
The River Otter defense features many new players. Kaminski said that Tim O’Connell and Jared Newman could highlight the tough position. “They both have great attitudes,” he said. “O’Connell and Newman both have a lot of size and leadership abilities. O’Connell is a big, physical defenseman who really has a great presence about him. He’s a very smart hockey player and we’re expecting him to be a leader for us this season.”
Fans are also watching Tyler Butler. “He’s a very heads-up player,” Kaminski said. “So far in camp he’s displayed a great ability to pass the puck and he has great anticipation. We’ll look for him to be our power-play quarterback this season.”
Other defensemen to look for are Martin Vasut and Mark Lindsay. Both were considered to be very hard workers according to Kaminski.
Just before an October 14th exhibition game between the River Otters and the Quad City Mallards in Davenport, Iowa, goaltender Kevin Reiter was again called up to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. The Atlanta Thrashers’ top minor league affiliate faced a goaltender shortage after the Thrashers called their goalies to replace two injured goaltenders for the NHL club.
Reiter could re-join the River Otters as early as November 1st, depending on his needed service with the AAA level club.
Forwards Brad Church and Damian Surma along with defensemen Jared Newman and Tim O’Connell could bring consistency to the team during the regular season. If the team is successful, these four players may give the team the edge to move on in the playoffs in April. This foursome played together last season with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL.
Forward Jim Murphy is sure to get the fans attention. Last season in the SPHL, he averaged nearly a point a game (either a goal or an assist) last season at Jacksonville.
The River Otters hope that United Hockey League rule changes will help them get to the next level, both in the regular season standings and the playoffs. Several key rule changes are in place for 2005-06. The no-touch icing that became a controversial topic in the minors last season has been reversed. Players will have to touch the puck in order for an icing whistle to take place by the official.
If you see a red line in the center of the Family Arena ice this season, it is only symbolic. Eliminated from the rules is the enforcement of the two-line pass, which would have included a red line and a blue line. Players can pass from blue line to blue line without being considered “off-side.” The red line will only be a dividing of the two sides and is sometimes used in other leagues, mainly high school and college.
Officials will delay enforcing the new specifications on goaltender equipment. Equipment companies cannot meet the demand of the NHL, minor league teams, along with college and high school teams, who adopted the same rule change. The UHL announced that the goaltender equipment rule will be enforced beginning on December 15.
All players must wear half-shields on their helmets to protect their eyes when the season begins. Hockey in general is trying to minimize head and eye injuries.
UHL team rosters will contain a maximum of 19 instead of 20. Each team must have at least four rookies and can still have seven veterans. A rookie is considered anyone who played fewer than 60 professional games. Veterans are those who participated in 300 or more professional games. This season, only one player is allowed to be on a team’s “injured reserve” list.
The River Otters have adopted a new theme this season. “Otters Hockey – The Real Deal” is the slogan for this season. The team wants to use the slogan and marketing this year to let fans know that “old time hockey is alive and well in the St. Louis metropolitan area.” Part of the new campaign is to bring back attendance at Family Arena to the levels the River Otters once had in its inaugural 1999-2000 season.
“[The campaign] focuses on the authenticity of the hockey, the players and the experience for the fan,” River Otters General Manager Frank Buonomo said. “Otters hockey is as real and genuine as a professional sport can be. It also says that players aren’t amateurs, they’re professional hockey players. Fans can expect high-level, exciting hockey at every game. It’s an opportunity for an entire family to experience professional hockey at an affordable price.”
This year’s promotion of the River Otters includes advertising on billboards and Metrobus shelters throughout the greater St. Louis area. Part of the advertising campaign focuses on the Route 364 Page Extension, where Family Arena is only five minutes away from Westport Plaza in Maryland Heights and I-270. The River Otters also plan on using “The Real Deal” advertising on radio and TV commercials throughout the season.
The River Otters will play in a very tough Western Division with the Rockford IceHogs and the Fort Wayne Komets expected to dominate the top. The Quad City Mallards are experiencing a complete rebuilding. The intensity of the old rivalry could return this season. With some exciting hockey thanks to several new players on the River Otters roster and some increased fan support, the seventh season of this UHL club could truly be “a real deal.”
