Andrew Martens, the CHL's top defenseman, won't play in tomorrow's exhibition game. He should play Saturday.
We know there are players on the bubble to make the Thunder roster. Their job gets tougher with the addition of Chris Chappell, a 6-foot-4 forward whose rights are owned by the NY Rangers.
His signing should be made official today. Coach Kevin McClelland described him as a “big body” who works in the corners and has the potential to score some points.
Chappell was an all star in the Ontario Hockey League, scoring 38 goals and 76 points, to go along with 88 penalty minutes, for Saginaw in 2008-09. In July 2009, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Rangers. After being limited by injuries in 2009-10, he played 53 games for the Greenville Road Warriors in 2010-2011, scoring nine goals and 38 points. He earned a five-game promotion to Connecticut of the American Hockey League.
- The Thunder plays the first of two home exhibition games tonight against the Tulsa Oilers at the Wichita Ice Center. McClelland said every player on the current roster will see action in at least one game.
- Rather than having goalies Alex Russo and Ryan MacDonald split time, McClelland said he is leaning toward having each play a full game. As of Thursday evening, he was unsure who would start tonight.
- A few exciting newcomers won’t play tomorrow, including Alex Bourret. I’ll have a longer list of players who won’t go in the paper tomorrow or at Kansas.com.
- Bryan Wells and Sean O’Reilly, former Thunder stars, will coach over the weekend while McClelland watches from up above, as is customary.