Here's a few things from the Express Coaches Show tonight:
- Coach Cullen explained how they only had 4 days to sign the tenders once the Owatonna franchise was made official. Coach Cullen said and I'm paraphrasing here: The short time frame didn't help, but it's not an excuse.
- The "Voice of the Express" Roy Koenig asked Coach Cullen about the differences between this year and the first expansion year in 2005. Cullen's response was that there are more similarities than differences from the first year.
- Roy asked Coach Cullen about the team's performance at the Showcase last week, and Cullen brought up some interesting points: The system the Express play isn't conducive to the bigger(Olympic size) ice sheet up in Blaine. Cullen also mentioned that way he asks the guys to play requires them to think more, which takes some time to adjust to.
- Roy's first player interview was with Defenseman Troy Puente. Troy talked about what it was like to play for the Texas Tornado the last two years, and about Cullen calling and asking him to play in Owatonna this year. The second player interview was with forward Tony McDonald. Tony talked about living in Alaska and playing for the Kenai River Brown Bears last season.
- Coach Cullen talked a little about the North Iowa Outlaws. He mentioned that their blueline guys are young, they have good forwards, and they picked up former Texas Tornado goalie Tom Callahan to play goalie.
- Cullen mentioned how the new Albert Lea franchise is in the same situation as the Express, trying to find their own identity, and that their best hockey (like the Express) is still ahead of them.
- Cullen said that the Alexandria Blizzard is the favorite to win the division, and how making a deep playoff run like they did last year (and the Express did in '06 & '07) can really help the cause.
- Cullen likes the way the schedule worked out for this season. The Express only have 5 overnight trips, and the schedule has a lot to say with the eventual success of a season. It is nice to sleep in your own bed.
Overall, it was an informative hour of radio. It was nice to hear what Coach Cullen's take is on the season so far, and Puente & McDonald are well-spoken young men. We are really lucky to have Roy Koenig back as the "Voice of the Express". He is one of, if not the best play-by-play guys in the NAHL, and does a fantastic job with the Coaches Show. Thanks Roy, and I'll see you at the rink.
--BK
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10 comments:
where is the coaches show this year?
"where is the coaches show this year?"
- They must be doing it at the studio, as they haven't been listing a sponsor.
--BK
Sorry, it is Roy, not Ray as the announcer. Not from this area and still not that familiar with everyone. He does do a great job though.
Pappy
i like roy. nice guy. the show is repetitious but he makes it fun to listen to. the previous sponsor did not renew. its bad economic times.
Yes, but until McCain takes office we are going to suffer in our economy.
Anyone going to Iowa this weekend?
We are (6) to support the guys and because the Iowa games have got to be the best ever. Its a blast!
I hope we still have the train and its whistle. My little ones just love it.
They also like the smoke and the light show.
"I hope we still have the train and its whistle. My little ones just love it.
They also like the smoke and the light show."
- The train (with whistle) never left its station at the 4 Seasons Centre. It will need a paint job, to bring it up to date with the new color scheme and logo. The laser lights and fog machine went to Michigan. I am not sure if they are being replaced or not, but you can find out for yourself a week from Friday. Home opener baby!!!!
--BK
We just purchased our season opener tickets. We had to choose a seat on the other side of the Arena because the opener ticket sales together with the season ticket holders and parents and billets will use up about 200 seats and they are all centered in the areas behind the benches. What is capacity 400-500 people?
"What is capacity 400-500 people?"
- Don't quote me on this, but I believe capacity is around 1600.
--BK
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