Roster Recap

After a long, slow summer of waiting for the draft, waiting for tryout camp, waiting for training camp to begin, then waiting for the regular season begin, we've had a whirlwind first couple weeks. I thought I would take the opportunity to recap the moves that have been made since the initial 23 man roster was decided at tryout camp.

Players that are no longer on the roster:

Gehrett Sargis - Forward - Made the pre-season roster of the Fargo Force in the USHL. The USHL teams still have some cuts to make before October 1st, but from what I've read it sounds like he is will be with the Force for the season.

Carson Curran - Defenseman that made the roster out of tryout camp. I believe he left the team sometime right before the scrimmage with Fairbanks.

Cam Stowers - Forward - Made the team out of tryout camp, but was not on the initial roster released by the Express. I heard he is going back to the Russell Stover program for another year.

Player X - Defenseman - I won't release his name, but he left the team for personal reasons late last week. Could possibly return.

Players that have been added since tryout camp:

Stephen Carew - Forward - The Express acquired him from the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, where he played last season. Great pickup by the Express. He had a had-trick versus Kenai River, and is currently tied with Tony McDonald for the team lead in scoring.

Michael Palmiscno - Forward - Another nice pickup by the Express. Quick feet and scoring touch.

David Starr - Defenseman - He was on the Topeka Roadrunners initial roster released before the Showcase. I'm not sure how he ended up with the Express, but I am happy is. He's a solid defenseman, who plays a physical game.

Grant Fahnhorst - Defenseman - Joined the Express shortly before the Fairbanks weekend. I don't believe he has played yet, and I don't know why, but I look forward to seeing what he can do on the ice. He's the tallest guy on the roster, and his size is needed on our blueline.

Dmitry Lugin - Forward - Came to the Express from the Fargo Force of the USHL the middle of last week, and has immediately made an impact. He had a goal and two assists in the Express victory over the Thunder Saturday night.

Player XX - I won't release his name until I can confirm his status. I'm not sure what position he plays, or even if he is a member of the Express. There was a blond kid of the correct age for junior hockey that was wearing an Express player jacket, hanging out with the healthy scratches during the Thunder game on Saturday.


My take: I was looking forward to seeing Sargis and Stowers, as both made an impression at tryout camp, and Curran would have added some size and strength to the defensive corp. I thought Player X was a having a good season so far, and I hope he succeeds in whatever he ends up doing.

However, the additions have more than made up for the subtractions. Carew has the makings of a star, Lugin is off to a great start, and Palmiscno might be the most dynamic player on the team.

Overall, as we have gotten used to with Coach Cullen, the team is adding guys that will make an impact. The USHL teams have to get their rosters down to 23 by October 1st, so there is the possibility that there could be a few more new faces in Express jerseys this week. With almost a month of practice and a few games in the books, Coach Cullen should have a pretty good idea what he's got, and what he might need.

See you at the rink in 5 days for the home opener!!

--BK