Our rivals to the south the Albert Lea Thunder, have released their training camp roster. Read it here: http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2008/sep/01/thunder-release-roster/
A couple of things that stood out upon first perusal:
- 2 guys that played in the Express tryout camp all-star game, but didn't make the final Express roster are members of the Thunder, Tom Glomski and Niko Kapetanovic. Glomski was an Express draft pick, but looked pretty average at our camp. I liked Kapetanovic from what I saw of him at our camp, and will be interested to see how he pans out for them.
- The absence of Albert Lea native Adam Royce who was the first tender signed by the Thunder. Now this isn't breaking news, as it was announced last week that he was leaving the team. Read the article here: http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2008/aug/29/royce-leaves-thunder/ Royce was an all-state honorable mention player for Albert Lea High School last year, and according to the article was generating interest from D-1 schools. After only one day of practice with the Thunder he walked away. Something doesn't smell right with the way that unfolded. Nonetheless, it's a huge loss for the Thunder, both from a talent standpoint, and as a marketing tool (hometown boy does good).
- About half of their roster is CSHL kids from the Chicago area. They also have 7 kids coming from Midget Major programs, 1 from the NAHL, 1 from the OPJHL, and only 4 Minnesota high schools kids. Very interesting indeed.
There should be a very intense rivalry between the Express and the Thunder, which should really help sell tickets for their games no matter who is the home team, although they seem to be gearing up to play a different style of hockey than the Express.
--BK
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2 comments:
Why didn't they just start the team in the Chicago area? At least the parents could see em play more.
Should be interesting to watch these games. The Thunder are pretty big, but low on talent. Could be some good fights!
There are more players originally from Minnesota on the Thunder roster than from Chicago. Well over half the players are from Minnesota/Wisconsin. I have seen them play and and in my opinion Adam Royce was a third or fourth line defenseman which is more likely the reason he quit.
It will be interesting to see how these two teams match up talent wise. I would hate to find out that Minnesota hasen't cornered the market on hockey talent as much as we think we have.
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