By Ryan Harr
After an unexpected early exit from the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs, the Rochester Americans returned to the ice on Monday to begin their 2018 Training Camp as a group of 19 skaters and pair of goaltenders at Bill Gray’s Iceplex on the campus of Monroe Community College.
Second-year Amerks head coach Chris Taylor along with assistant coaches Gord Dineen and Toby Petersen, Buffalo Sabres Player Development Coach Mike Komisarek, Cincinnati Cyclones head coach Matt Thomas and assistant coach Jason Payne all put the group for their first official skate of the 2018-19 season.
Veteran Atmosphere
The Amerks return a core group of veterans for the 2018-19 campaign, which includes Nathan Paetsch, who is taking part in his 16th professional season.
“I know my role within the organization,” Paetsch explained after an up-tempo practice. “I really embrace that role to be one who helps the younger guys. I am at the stage of my career where my goal is to make those young kids develop and not only help the Rochester Americans better but the entire organization.”
Along with Paetsch, Kevin Porter and Zach Redmond, both who were given the day off after spending time with the Sabres Training Camp last week, return to the Flower City along with Andrew MacWilliam.
“This year’s squad appears to be a little younger than last year,” said Porter, who served as team captain in 2017-18. “The older guys on the team need to bring leadership to help the guys along and show them how to work hard.”
Light On Numbers, More Opportunity
Despite only having 15 players and two goaltenders dressed for practice on Monday, general manager Randy Sexton and Taylor liked what they saw as part of the team’s overall effort and work habits.
“It was a crisp first day and about what we had expected,” Sexton said. “The first day of camp always has guys excited because they come together after time away, plus getting back to work as a group.”
“I liked what I saw today,” Taylor said. “We are going to have some changes, as expected, when you have an early exit in the playoffs. The coaches and I are trying to improve everyday as we want to be the best we can for the players.”
Over the summer Michael Houser, Wayne Simpson, Tyler Randell, Yannick Veilleux, and Alex Wideman all signed an their first AHL contracts with Rochester while Vasily Glotov, Redmond, Andrew MacWilliam, Myles Powell, Judd Peterson, Dalton Smith, and Adam Wilcox all re-signed deals to remain in the organization.
“We have brought in some exciting, new, young guys, as well as players from other organizations, and with the addition of the core we have, I think our team will be a good mix,” said Sexton. “We have a lot of talent, but we also have toughness, grittiness and speed. But now we have to work hard and put it all together and it should be a really promising season.”
Organizational Depth
With the Sabres having their final three exhibition games over the course of this week, several players who appeared with Rochester last season are eyeing to make the Opening Night rosters.
With the organization deeper than it has been in the last few seasons, depth can help from the top to bottom over time.
“It is a little later than normal to get our roster because Buffalo has two extra preseason games,” Taylor said. “That said, it is another great opportunity for guys to show what they can bring while trying to earn a spot on the team.”
Sexton echoed exactly that thought process on the organization’s depth.
“Having the type of depth we have will help funnel the type of organization we want to have,” he said. “With that, the players have to show up every day and work hard. Players will be held to a higher standard if they want to hold their position and I am a one who believes stronger competition will make everyone better.”
Training Camp Notes
Among the 19 players on Rochester’s opening day roster, 16 played at least one game in the American Hockey League while at least 12 wore the red, white and blue at some point last season.
Preseason begins this week
The Amerks open their 2018 preseason schedule with the first of three exhibition contests on Thursday, Sept. 27 when they host the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies at 7:05 p.m. in the front-end of a home-and-home series at HarborCenter in downtown Buffalo. The action shifts north of the border on Saturday, Sept. 29 for a rematch at Frank Doherty Arena in Toronto at 4 p.m.
Rochester concludes the preseason with a matchup against the Syracuse Crunch at 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Gene Polisseni Center on the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The 4,300-seat Gene Polisseni Center is home to the RIT Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division I hockey teams.
Tickets for the game at HarborCenter are available for $10 each for General Admission seating with $5 tickets available for all Amerks and Buffalo Sabres Season Ticket Members. Ticket cans can be purchased at WWW.TICKETS.COM, through WWW.AMERKS.COM or at the KeyBank Center Box Office.
All tickets for the game at RIT will be General Admission and will be available for purchase for just $5 at the Polisseni Center Box Office, or online at WWW.AMERKS.COM and WWW.RITTICKETS.COM. RIT students can purchase tickets for $3 while all Amerks and RIT Season Ticket Members will receive complimentary tickets to the game. Please contact the Amerks Main Office at 585-454-5335 to request your tickets.
Practice schedule for remainder of the week
Wednesday, Sept. 26
Group 1 Practice Session at 10:30 a.m. (Bill Gray’s Iceplex)
Group 2 Practice Session at 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 27
Morning Skate at 10:00 a.m. (Blue Cross Arena)
Non-Playing Group Practice Session at 11:00 a.m.
Home Preseason Game vs. Toronto Marlies at 7:05 p.m. (HarborCenter)
Friday, Sept. 28
Group 1 Practice Session at 10:30 a.m. (Blue Cross Arena)
Group 2 Practice Session at 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 29
Morning Skate at 10:00 a.m. (Blue Cross Arena)
Away Preseason Game at Toronto Marlies at 4:00 p.m. (Frank Doherty Arena)
Sunday, Sept. 30
Home Preseason Game vs. Syracuse Crunch at 5:05 p.m. (Gene Polisseni Center at RIT)
Home Opener set for Friday, Oct. 5
Rochester opens its 63rd American Hockey League season at home on Friday, Oct. 5 against the Charlotte Checkers at the Blue Cross Arena.