Training Camp Begins For Oklahoma City

Over a week after the Edmonton Oilers began their training camp, it's the Oklahoma City Barons turn to do so. Starting today at 10 a.m. Central Time, twenty players from the Central Hockey League and the ECHL will be joining contracted players Hunter Tremblay, Andrew Lord, Bryan Helmer, Johan Motin, Mark Arcobello, Cameron Abney, and David LeNeveu. Not listed is Ryan Lowery, but both the roster and his signing were announced on the same day.

All of the try-out players hope to repeat the success that Arcobello and Jesse Gimblett had last season, coming in and earning AHL contracts; and even moreso repeating Arcobello's success and earning an NHL contract. For the next two weeks, coaches Todd Nelson, Gerry Fleming, and Rocky Thompson look to get the team ready for their first game against the Texas Stars in Cedar Park, Texas.

The majority of the try-out players are from nearby Central Hockey League teams, and only three ECHL players, two of whom are from Stockton.

Trevor Hendrikx, D - Allen Americans
Colton Yellow Horn, LW - Allen Americans
Dylan Clarke, F - Tulsa Oilers
Matt Robinson, LW - Wichita Thunder
Matt Summers, C - Wichita Thunder
Phil Fox, F - Texas Brahmas
Ryan Cramer, RW - Tulsa Oilers
Gerome Giudice, LW - Tulsa Oilers
Thomas Beauregard, RW - Wichita Thunder
Matt Baxter, D - Tulsa Oilers
Jim Burichin, D - Texas Brahmas
Jeff Caister, D - Greenville Road Warriors
Dan Ringwald, D - Stockton Thunder
Matt Germain, F - Unsigned(Trenton Devils 10-11)
Kyle Paige, LW - Unsigned(Univeristy of Toronto 09-10)
Matt Wallace, F - Texas Brahmas
Tyler Shelast, RW - Stockton Thunder
Luke Lucyk, D - Tulsa Oilers
Brock Meadows, D - Texas Brahmas
Ian Keserich, G - Tulsa Oilers

A few players of note; Trevor Hendrickx is a big enforcer, amassing 625 penalty minutes in 221 ECHL games. With all of the muscle being added this season, it'll be interesting to see if he's signed; Colton Yellow Horn led the Americans in scoring last season with 33 goals and 55 assists in 66 games. With the loss of scoring this season, Yellow Horn may find a spot here; Thomas Beauregard has four points in 10 career AHL games. Beauregard scored 124 points in 69 games his final season with Acadie-Bathurst of the QMJHL in 2006-07. Scoring at a point per game clip in the ECHL, Beauregard has a bit of a tough spot to work into; Matt Germain had three goals and four assists in nine games with Trenton last season, following his senior college season. Coming out of college like Arcobello last season, I'm interested to see what Germain can bring to the table.

Some cuts are expected from Edmonton later today, and they will most likely join the group on Wednesday. All morning sessions will take place at the Cox Convention Center and are open to the public. The Barons will play the Houston Aeros in a preseason game on September 30th, the same night both of their parent clubs play, as the Oilers travel to take on the Minnesota Wild. After a weekend break, the team will resume their sessions on the 3rd.

Training Camp Schedule
September 26 - September 30, 10 a.m. - Public Training Sessions
September 30, 7 p.m. - Preseason game vs. Houston Aeros
October 3 - October 6, 10 a.m. - Public Training Sessions
October 9, 5 p.m. - Season Opener at Texas Stars

Neal will be attending camp on both Monday and Tuesday, and I will be attending on Wednesday, and covering the events on my Twitter. Neal will have a full write-up later on in the week.