October 9, 2025 • 31 mins
David Mooradian and Patrick Moore are join by the brand new Voice of the Ontario Reign Cam McGuire as they discuss the Roadrunner's season opener match against the Ontario Reign. They will also dicuss Cam's journey from the ECHL to the AHL.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
From road Runners Weekly. This is Between the Benches, you're
all access preview of the week ahead. We'll look at
the road runners upcoming opponents, got the inside story and
here directly from the voices and players that know them best,
with your hosts David Moradi and then Patrick Moore and
this week's special guest, the new voice of the Ontario Rain,
(00:23):
Cam Acquire.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Hello and welcome to Between the Benches David Meridian with
Patrick Moore as we preview the upcoming series between the
Tucson Roadrunners and the Ontario Rain and Patrick, it's good
to be with you. The Roadrunners have now played some games,
albeit in a preseason capacity. They played two contests that
did not count, two exhibition games against the Henderson Silver Knights.
(00:46):
So I was just wondering if you had any initial takeaways.
They weren't able to squeak away a win, but both
games were competitive. Your initial thoughts on the preseason series.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yeah, I think obviously for the Roadrunners, just getting some
competition against anyone is very good for the preseason. Obviously
they don't have the preseason schedule at the NHL. They
were obviously able to play Henderson. Unfortunately, the Roadrunners were
only able to get one goal.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Noa.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Nordeth got the only goal in the first game and
the Roadrunners got shut out to nothing. They did go
oh for four on power play opportunities, and David, as
we talked about a little bit with Cam about the
penalty minutes for the Roadrunners, I believe it was thirty
four minutes that they were in the box combined for
both gams.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Is that right?
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Good?
Speaker 2 (01:31):
That is right? They had It was I think nineteen
just over nineteen minutes in one game and just over
fifteen in another. Now it's a little bit off because
you have some five minute penalties for fighting, but you
can still imagine that thirty four penalty minutes. A lot
of them were counting for power plays for Henderson, so
often they were at a man disadvantage, no.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Question, and we did talk about that a lot in
last week's podcasts of you know, some of the guys
who did leave the Roadrunners. Would that be kind of
coming into effective less penlimits. But obviously the Roadrunner's still
up in their penalty type of ways. But hopefully against
Ontario they'll be able to get less penalty minutes.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
And one of those, I'm pretty sure one of those
players that was up there in penalties last year was
Curtis Douglas and he just made news signing with the
Tampa Bay Lightning. But still the Roadrunners in two preseason
games over thirty four minutes in the penalty box. So yeah,
definitely still an issue.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah, and I think obviously another issue. I mean, offensively,
it's not fun. Again, these games don't count. But with
the power play, you know, going out for four, obviously
the road Runners, you know, offensive production needs to maybe
kind of bolster a little bit. But I think this
is where the coaching staff for the road Runners can
kind of look back at the film, see what they
need to work on and get ready for this weekend's
(02:46):
matchups versus the Ontario Rain.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Absolutely, the one thing I was encouraged by. So you mentioned, right,
one goal in two games disappointing, and we'll we'll definitely
get into that. But I just want to backtrack a
little bit. Is I think in the back half I
liked what I saw. I think Artem Duda and mav Lamaru,
I think that could be a really impressive top defensive line.
I thought they got good goaltending from both Stauber and Vilalta,
so there is some promise there. Coach Potvin feels really
(03:14):
good about mac zuber Ayabuci Peronovich as well. I think
that they've got some that's five defenders right there that
you feel good about and two goaltenders that you're comfortable
with starting in a game. So I think defensively, the
road Runner should be a cell team as long as
they're not playing five on four where they're the team
with four, you know, for an extended period of time. Now,
finding the goal scorers could be tougher, and we can
(03:36):
get into that. Just guys who were going to step
up on that top line and dominate the game, right
that remains to be seen. They were kind of lacking
one player. Maybe Cam he Big in the second preseason
game was a noticeable presence, but other than that, I'm
looking for a few more guys to step up and
take control of the offense.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
And I think, obviously we talked about it a little
bit with Brian last week that you know, preseason, some
guys are still trying to find their footing. We're up
till maybe a couple of weeks into the regular season,
they're still trying to find their footing. So obviously guys
who had very big seasons last year, they have a
lot of expectations coming into the season. But again it's
just it was just preseason games, nothing crazy to you know,
(04:17):
stress about. But I think the Roadrunners will be able
to find that footing. And you talked about how the defensive,
you know, the defensive played by the Roadrunners with Marloo
and also the really good goal team by Valta and
Stabur will help the Roadrunners have a very good advantage
against Ontario.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Yeah, no question, and you'd have to think that it
will be Belalta that will get the go in these
two games. But Jackson Stauber I thought was really impressive
in the first preseason game. Now preseason they both allowed
two goals. The what you would say is, you know,
everybody's rusty, so the offensive opportunities maybe weren't there so
much for Henderson, but you know, the Roadrunners were rusty too,
(04:53):
and I think there were a couple of breakdowns where
the Silver Knights had had good looks and generally Stawburn
Valta were able to hold down the four pretty well.
So definitely expect, you know, Maddy Vee go out there
and get the start Friday. But if they have to
turn to stop or for one reason or another, you know,
I do think they're in good hands. And I thought
he played well and showed good poise last Saturday against Henderson.
I just want to circle back to my previous point.
(05:15):
So one line that we'll see if they stick together.
But for both games it was Koon's, Walker and Matika
that played together the ball. So that makes me think
that that will be a line come the regular season
here on Friday, and I think that they are going
to carry some weight. I mean, I think they could
be the line that sways games if they're able to
(05:36):
be in an advantage and have a positive number in
the plus or minus category. That line that that votes
really well for the road Runners. Because you get he
Big playing up above them, you'd have to think that
you know he's going to perform pretty well with his line.
So then that second line, if you can control the
first two, you know you're in a good spot. Conversely, though,
you know they can kind of neutralize he Big if
(05:56):
that line isn't performing. I thought Sammy Walker and generally
in my opinion, played well. I thought he was pretty
physical flying around the ice. He was a tough player
to miss. So I'd like to see those three guys
continue to gel together with some new pieces there, but
you know, be huge for the Roadrunners if they can produce.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Yeah, I think. I mean, Sammy Walker had a really
big step up last year coming from the Allen Americans
in the EHL. I mean his first game, he got
a goal or two, so you know, he knows, everyone
knows what he can bring to the table. And as
a veteran, you know he can bring that leadership to
his line and help out the Roadrunners, you know, have
a good second line to help out the bottom lines
(06:34):
on the on the depth chart, make a presence known
for Tucson.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Yeah, no, exactly. And the other thing is the one
difference in storyline is you had in the preseason, you
got guys battling for roster spots. Right now, That's still
always the case, especially in the AHL, but now it's
more as gelling as a team, trying to figure out
the lines and so forth. So I think that that's
a line we think will be consistent this year. But
(06:59):
you really don't know. Like I said, first game of
the year, you mentioned they only played two preseason game.
It's not like the NHL, so we generally think this
is gonna be the roster that's on the team. But
you know, we'll see if these lines stick together, and
that's that's certainly one to watch.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
I think it's just a very exciting time for pretty
much the entirely too, with all these lines coming together.
But it's for Tucson. But it's gonna be interesting to
see how the roster shakes up. Obviously, the rosters have
you know, the official opening night roster has not come
out yet. There's some so it works to be done
within the league. But I think just going into tomorrow
and Sunday's game, we'll see how the Roadrunners will shake
(07:36):
up with roster's out. Obviously, with Curtis Douglas signing a
deal with Tampa Bay, that enforcer time mentality is gone.
But you still have Montanney on Abucci who still is
one of those big tough guys in for the Tucson Roadrunners.
So we'll see what happens on opening Night on Friday.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Yeah, and the other thing about the road Runners, Patrick
that I think is a good thing is they're gonna
find out right away where they stand. Right the Ontario
Orain have been a solid team now in the AHL.
Like we mentioned, the Kings are are a top program
as well. So you're playing against a team that won
over forty games, very good winning percentage last season in
the Ontario Rain. So if you think you're going to
(08:13):
be one of the top teams in the Pacific Division,
you got to show it against Ontario, especially on the road.
If they can, you know, even split this weekend, I
think that boats really well for the rest of their season.
But this has an opportunity to be a great measuring
stick for the road Runners, and we're definitely going to
see how they stack up against one of the division's best,
which I think is exciting.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Yeah, I think so too. I mean, you go, you
have do Ontario Rain, who you know when every time
if you win forty games in the AHL, it's specifically
in the Pacific Division, how tough it is, how tight
it is the last couple of years, and with a
goaltender like Eric Portilla, who only has gotten one NHL game,
but you can see that he is right there of
trying to crack a roster spot with the LA Kings,
(08:53):
And this is just also a good time for the
road owners to see how as you said, the measuring
stick of they can get a split or if they
can even get a sweep, would be just a great
start to the season. And heading into Opening nine against
the Calgary Wranglers, that would be such a good momentum
for the guys to come back to Tucson and you know,
feel good that the home fans are going to come
back next week. There's a few guys that I think
(09:13):
would stand out for the Rain that the Runners need
to watch. Obviously Killed Thomas hobviously, who have gotten some
NHL games. Obviously Killed Thomas who who had a big
presence in the junior level, helped out with Team Canada
a couple of years ago. Obviously obviously has gotten some
NHL action with the LA Kings so far. And again
Eric Portillo, you know, obviously hurt at the end of
(09:35):
the season, didn't really play, but he's coming back, and
you know, the tall goaltender will definitely be an interesting
point for the Roaderners offensive production. You know, only getting
the one goal in the preseason, so but obviously, as
I've said it many times on this podcast, it just
didn't count and the Roadunners will be trying to get
some more offensi production from their top lines like Cameron
hebeg in on Friday.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Yeah, exactly, and the Roadrunners sit here at zero and zero,
so it's a clean slate. Last year doesn't matter, the
preseason doesn't matter. They just have to go out there
against a team we expect to be one of the
top in the Pacific Division and show them that they're
on the same level and that they can compete and
possibly win against the Ontario Rain. So it will be
exciting to see how the Roadrunners stack up against one
(10:18):
of the division's best, with the first game being on
Friday at seven pm in the Toyota Arena, just forty
miles east of Los Angeles, and then the series finale
will be Sunday at three pm same place, with coverage
on Flow Sports, AHLTV and Fox Sports fourteen fifty. Coming
up next, we're going to talk to the new voice
(10:40):
of the Ontario Rain, Cam McGuire, and we understand he
just got to the team, so he's got some interesting
details about his transition, but also some very good insights
about the Ontario Rain. Tucson's first opponent of the regular season.
Stay with us.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
This is between the benches.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Welcome back to Tucson Roadrunners. Between the benches David Meridian
alongside Patrick Moore, and we are now joined by Cam maguire,
the voice of the Ontario Rain. And Cam, we understand
it's been a worldwin for you, just very recently introduced
to the team. So if you don't mind diving into
your background and how you came to be a part
of the Rain.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Yeah, first off, thanks for having me on here today.
It's great to chat with you guys. But yeah, it's
been a whirlwind. Like you mentioned, last couple of weeks.
As we chat here on Thursday, October ninth, my first
day with the Rain was a week ago, last last Wednesday,
so I think that was October second or October third.
The dates are kind of all all meshing together. But yeah,
(11:38):
super grateful, honored, excited to be here. It seems like
a tremendous organization. Even in my short times here, the
people I've worked with have been awesome, super supportive and
super helpful. But yeah, a little bit about myself, not
to get too long winded, but was in Boise, Idaho
the last three years with the ehl's Idaho Steel Eds.
(12:00):
Like I said, got hired about a week two weeks ago,
so kind of packed up my things in Boise and
started heading west. Couldn't have asked for a better three years.
They're unbelievable people, amazing city, awesome organization. So it's super
grateful for my time there. It was definitely hard to leave,
but couldn't pass up an opportunity like this. So nothing
(12:23):
but good things to say about Boise and wish to
steal adds nothing but success and a team I'll continue
to follow for many years to come. Before my time
in Boise, I was in Worcester, Massachusetts with the Worcester
Railers for three years two seasons. That was my first
gig out of college, so a great learning experience and
another example a great organization and worked with some great
(12:46):
people that I still keep in touch with today. So
that's kind of where my professional journey has taken me.
Like I said, not to get too long winded, but
went to college outside Chicago at a small Division III
school called Lake Forrest College. Actually went there to play
Division III hockey and didn't make the team and kind
of fell into broadcasting in media. Always wanted to work
(13:10):
in sports, just didn't know what what avenue or what
realm I wanted to go down, and like I said,
just kind of kind of fell into this, right, Never
never dreamed of being a professional announcer, whether what sport
it was. Hockey was always my passion growing up, but yeah,
just kind of fell into it. And here we are
(13:32):
today talking with you guys.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Yeah, quick follow up. So you mentioned just within the
last week going from Idaho to southern California. I'm just wondering,
do you have a place to stay. Are you on
somebody's couch something in between, or how did that all
come together?
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Yeah? No, I have a place, so I'm not sleeping
on the floor quite quite like that. Still getting things
unpacked and getting getting everything organized. But was super lucky, honestly,
Like once I found out I was getting the job,
it was a Friday night, and I spent all weekend
researching places. And Jared Schaffrin, who I'm taking over for,
(14:05):
was now up with the La Kings. Actually his desk
is right behind me here, and then Zach Dooley, who
works with the Kings too, is right over to my left.
So they've been a great resource to have, whether it's
getting comfortable with the area, finding a place to live,
and then obviously everything that the job entails too. I've
probably asked way too many questions to Jared and he's
(14:28):
probably annoyed with me by now, but I promised him
they'll calm down once we get going here. But no,
I found an apartment. Like I said, I spent that
whole weekend researching places, and it's kind of one of
those things where you thought you found a place and
everything looked good, and then I'd go to Jared and
be like, hey, what do you think of this spot?
Is this in a good area? But it didn't check
(14:51):
all the boxes that we kind of needed to check off.
But a couple of days later, kind of found a
place that popped up and couldn't tell if it was
available or not, or if it was still unavailable, so
called the realitor the next day. Long story short, got
things pretty moved along pretty quickly, and drove drove from
(15:14):
Boise out here to El Segundo. That's kind of where
I'm based at the at the Kings and Training practice
facility and where they're all want to drive from Boise
to hear Yeah. We I left at like four am
Monday morning from Boise and probably got into al Segundo
about seven seven thirty, so it was probably like fifteen
(15:36):
hours when it was all said and done. I think
it was like eight and fifty miles. Yeah, like I said,
I'm based out of El Segundo. That's kind of where
the King's practice, the King's front offices are, It's where
the rain practice, so that's where most of the day
to day happens. Realistically, Ontario is more so just for games.
(15:58):
There'll still be occurrences where I do go there, but
since kind of centered and centric around the hockey part,
it's good to be over here in the office. But yeah,
like I said, my apartments about three turns away, so
it takes about five minutes to get to work, which
is which is super awesome.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
And I'm guessing it was tougher for you to find
somewhere closer to la than it would have meant if
you were trying to find somewhere in Ontario, Is that right? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (16:23):
Probably, honestly, Like, it's tough. I mean, I've never lived
in this area before, so having Jared and having Zach
as references to kind of help cross reference, I guess
you could say when I started looking at places, was
great to have but yeah, it's super easy, super convenient
to be right here, and you're obviously making the drive
(16:45):
to Ontario for game days and whatnot. You get into
a routine and you find out what time to leave.
So yeah, it'll it'll be interested in the first couple
of times I go there, but in a month or
two now it'll be kind of just like second nature
with a lot.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
And Patrick is a Southern California guy, So Patrick, do
you have any advice for somebody coming from Idaho and
then formerly worcestered transitioning to southern California.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
I mean, honestly, I think it's just you know, going
to the beaches a couple of times. I think going
to the beaches and maybe a little bit in the winter,
you know, you go in the afternoon, would be kind
of nice. But the sunsets is just I think the
best part when you go to the beach, especially in
the La Ones. You know, obviously I'm from Orange County,
so I don't really go up near LA. I have
(17:28):
been to the Elsi gun practice facility. As someone who
played youth hockey in Southern California, I know that place
all too well. I've lost many games at the ELSI
gunno practice ring before, so I definitely know my way
around that rink. But Cam I wanted to ask you. Obviously,
the Rain with the success they've had the last two years,
(17:49):
obviously in terms of goaltending with Aeric Portillo, he obviously
got called up to the La Kings for the season opener.
How will the Rain goaltenders filled that void with Portilla
moving up?
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Well, he's actually he's actually with Ontario now. So kind
of the backstory of kind of how this all unfolded
was Phoenix Copley. He'd been with the organization last couple
of years. He was claimed off waivers last week with
Tampa Bay, so Ports went up to LA. I think
(18:24):
it might have been for like one day or two day,
and he backed up in a preseason game, but he
was only up there for like a day. So he's
back with the club and he'll be kind of the
starter going forward. So the goaltending situation, obviously with Copley
going off off on waivers that Tampa Bay is something
(18:44):
interesting to look at. But Portillo was awesome last year
fifteen to five and three and twenty four appearances with Ontario.
Made his NHL debut with the Kings in November, made
twenty nine saves in a two to one win over
the Ducks and his loan of appearance with LA last year,
he got hurt in February and kind of missed the
(19:05):
rest of the season. But from everything that I've heard,
everything I've seen, it looks like he's good to go
and healthy heading into this season. So right now, Portillo.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Is kind of that guy.
Speaker 4 (19:14):
And then Isaiah Seville is a player that's on an
HL contract with Ontario. He signed with the Rain this
past summer. Remains the other active goaltender on the roster.
He's originally drafted by Vegas back in twenty nineteen. He
actually missed the whole season last year with an injury,
and seems like he's been kind of a guy that's
battles some injuries in his pro career, but does have
(19:37):
some experience in the American Hockey League as well as
the ECHL dating back to the spring of twenty twenty two.
So those are the two guys going in to Game one.
We'll see how it shakes out as the season progresses.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Have you got an opportunity to talk to the head
coach Andrew Lord?
Speaker 4 (19:55):
Yeah, I have Loredo is awesome. I actually know him
a little bit from when he was in the ECHL
with Greenville, not so it was my second year in Boise,
So the twenty two to twenty three season, our head
coach Everett Sheen in Idaho was the head coach in
the All Star Game for the Western Conference, and Lordo
(20:18):
was the head coach when he was with Greenville for
the Eastern Conference. And I actually had the opportunity to
go to Savannah where the All Star Game was and
help on the broadcast there. So that was the one
and only time I've met Andrew lord but just from
working in the same league around the same time that
he did. Everyone that you meet, everyone you talk to,
(20:39):
has nothing but good things to say about him. Obviously
first year with the organization, but not unfamiliar with the
La Ontario organization, per se because when he was with
Greenville in the ECHL, they were affiliated with the Kings
and the Reigns, so he spent a lot of time
up here prior to the ECHL, whether it was at
(21:01):
rookie camps, development camps. And he has great relationships already
with Rich Sealey, the GM of Ontario. Obviously, various people
in LA as well, and then obviously the coaching staff,
which has been pretty much the same from when he
was in Greenville here. So he's awesome to talk to,
super easy in terms of like an interview talk too.
(21:24):
Gives you a lot of good information. He's always always excited,
high energy, and he knows the game at a very
high level. He's actually in the Quebec Major Junior League.
Last year with Halifax after a couple of years of Greenville.
He took the moose Heads to the playoffs and the QMJHL,
and they were the youngest playoff team to qualify and
(21:46):
actually upset Drummondville, who won the Western Conference regular season championship.
So he's done a lot of good things in his
career and it seems like he's got a great pulse
on the room so far heading into the opening weekend.
It's funny like I keeps saying, like, oh, Andrew Lord
like the rookie, But I don't know, there's something about it.
(22:07):
He just doesn't feel like he's a rookie. He doesn't
feel like he's a first year AHL coach. For whatever reason.
It feels like he's been around for a while. And
I think a lot of that why A lot of
people probably think that why, I think that is just
his long standing relationship with the organization and he's, like
I said, he's a great speaker, knows the game really well.
(22:29):
So I think a lot of that kind of boils
down to why he might not seem like a rookie
AHL head coach, although that he is.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Yeah, I think he's kind of in an interesting spot
because you have the Kings and the reign, both are
very stable in a good position, not requiring a lot
of change. But yet he's a new coach, so there
is naturally going to be some change. How do you
think he's bouncing that? Is he providing a lot of
change or trying to adapt? What's that kind of yah?
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Yeah, And I think in years past too, like from
what I've heard is a and it's it's the same
for most places where you go, right, Like your American
Hockey League team is gonna play the same systems at
the NHL club place, right, And that's very evident here
with LA and Ontario. And I think for Andrew Lord,
(23:15):
like you know, it's one of those things like as
the head coach, like you need to be fully on
board with that, and if you're not on board with that,
things are not gonna Things are just not gonna go well.
And from my week that I've been here watching practice
being around a little bit, uh, he's fully bought into
what LA is preaching and what LA is trying to
(23:36):
do and implementing that into the Ontario rains system. I
think for Lorido too, it's he's got a great support
staff in terms of his other coaches. Chris Heide, who's
been around the block for a long time and has
been with the LA Kings organization, whether it was in
Manchester when they were in the AHL and then moved
(23:57):
to Ontario. He's been around for a while, someone that's
very well respected in the hockey world. So he actually
just got promoted this summer to associate coach. It's funny
because like even watching the way that like Andrew Lord,
Chris Height and then assistant coach Brad Schuler and goaltending
coach Adam Brown, the way that they interact. Right, Obviously,
(24:20):
I'm a new guy, but from what I've observed, it's
like if you told me that it was Andrew Lord's
first year, I'd be like, no way, Like they just
have such great chemistry already on and off the ice,
and it just seems like a great staff all around.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
Now, Cam you were telling you were talking about the
high energy that the coaching staff is going to be
bringing in their first year. And along with that, there
are some returners that are coming back like it killed
Thomas and as lead. Is there any returners or maybe
newcomers for the Ontario Rain that are going to bring
some of that high energy to have them kick off
a good start for the Rain this year?
Speaker 4 (24:57):
Yeah? I think right now heading into two opening week,
probably the most intriguing forward is Cole Gutman, who signed
a two year contract with LA in July. He spent
the last three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks organization won
a national championship at Denver University. Last year, he led
Rockford and scoring with fifty seven points twenty three goals
(25:21):
in seventy games. So I think Cole Gutman's a player
to look at. He's actually kind of a La La native.
He grew up in Northridge, California, which from my understanding
is just up the road a little bit north. He
actually played some minor hockey with the La Junior King
So kind of a little bit of a homecoming for him,
(25:41):
so he's kind of a very intriguing new addition to
the club. Then you have Logan Brown two. He's a
former eleventh overall pick. He spent last year in the
AHL with Syracuse. At twenty nine points in thirty three games,
he's just one game shy of one hundred NHL games.
He's played one hundred and forty eight AHL games. So
(26:01):
those are two forwards speaking, new additions that should make
an impact right away. And then defensively speaking, Samuel Bolduk
who's a former second round pick of the New York Islanders.
He signed a one year deal with LA this past offseason.
He's a guy fifty two NHL games and over two
underd American Hockey League games under his belt. So are
(26:23):
those are kind of the three new guys that weren't
in the system last year. And then there's gonna be
some guys coming over to in the system that have
played in Europe the last couple of years. They'll be
making their professional North American professional debuts. And I think
the most intriguing one defensively speaking is Career Carsanoff. He's
(26:46):
a third round pick back in twenty twenty one with
LA and spent the last couple of years playing in
Russia in the KHL. So there's a lot of interesting pieces.
It's probably the same like it is every year, no
matter what team, what organization you go. You're gonna have
your core returning guys and then yeah, you're gonna have
your key pieces off season additions. So those kind of
(27:10):
guys that we just touched on are kind of the
key off season additions heading into Week one that we
should probably see.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Can the Roadrunners played two preseason games last weekend, they
had over thirty four minutes in the penalty box. You
can maybe infer from that that they're not afraid of
a little bit of a skirmish. So do you expect
the Rain to be as physical and or possibly willing
to fight like we know the Roadrunners will be.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
So it's probably gonna be a long, long game on
Friday and Sunday. Then if we're spending thirty four minutes
in the box.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
Could you would think no?
Speaker 4 (27:44):
But yeah, I mean that's part of the game, right
we you know, the Rain played against San Diego here
in Ontario last Sunday and we didn't see any fights,
But we certainly saw the physical presence on display. In fact,
at the end of the second period, Horn ends I
didn't entirely make out what happened, but there was kind
(28:07):
of a little skirmish, nothing too crazy, but you know,
both benches kind of went on the ice and no
one left to go towards the dressing room. So it's
one of those things, right, It's preseason hockey. But at
the end of the day, these guys are all competitors.
They want to win, no matter if it's a preseason
game on a Sunday afternoon or it's the home opener
(28:28):
on Friday night. So yeah, I mean i'd expect Ontario,
if that's the way that Tucson's going to play, to
have a response, but at the same time be smart
about it. So yeah, it should be exciting and should
be should be entertaining. It always is.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
I mean, just two division rivals. You know, you got
the goals in the Rain obviously, the Ducks and m
Kings rivalry. That's just you know, I feel like that's
just a president already, even in a preseason game for
the Rain and the goals, but obviously with the Roadrunners
record against Ontario last year, two, five and one. The
Rain had the advantage in that series. What do you
(29:06):
expect from both teams again this year? Competitive? Fierce competition
between the both.
Speaker 4 (29:13):
Well, I'd like to sit here and say that I
can forecast this, and I can forecast that, but I
to be completely honest and to be completely blunt. I
can look at I can look at the numbers and
see what happened from last year. But being a new guy,
I'll be honest, I have no idea what to expect.
I can look at the record right and say that
(29:34):
Ontario went six and two against Tucson last year, So
you know the homework that I have done. It looks
like both teams like it is every year, gonna like
I just said a couple of minutes ago, they're gonna
have those returning pieces and then they're gonna have some
new new additions as well. Not to get too like
into the nitty gritty or get too specific, my light
(29:57):
just shut off there, so we're getting a little dark.
But looks like we're all right. I think for me,
like one thing to look at. One thing that's always
interesting that people are going to look at is guys
you know that have been around now for two or
three years, what kind of jump can they make heading
in now that they have a little more experience. So
(30:19):
kind of an overarching theme that's kind of what I'm
most excited and most intrigued to look at this weekend
is to kind of look at whether it's guys on
the Rain or guys with the road Runners, to see
how they've made a jump, whether it's from year two
to three, year one to two. The end of the day, right,
numbers are numbers, and numbers don't lie. But also at
(30:42):
the end of the day, throw the numbers out the
books because yeah, Ontario went six and two against Tucson
last year, but that was last year and this is
this year, so we're gonna find out this weekend.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
Yeah, the Ontario Rain all in all had a great
season last year forty five, forty three, forty three to
twenty five and three and one. So it's always tricky
with the two overtime and shot losses, but again forty three,
twenty five to three and one, so a very good
year overall. We know the Kings, who are a really
good franchise and they've been getting good support from the
Ontario Rain camp. Thanks so much. For your time. We're
(31:15):
looking forward to this weekend Friday at seven and then
Sunday at three coverage for US on HLTV, on Flow
Sports and Fox Sports fourteen fifty in camp. Hopefully look
forward to seeing you when the Roadrunners host The Rain
at the tues Time Convention Center.
Speaker 4 (31:28):
Absolutely, guys appreciate the time, and I'm sure we'll chat
down the road
From road Runners Weekly. This is Between the Benches, you're
all access preview of the week ahead. We'll look at
the road runners upcoming opponents, got the inside story and
here directly from the voices and players that know them best,
with your hosts David Moradi and then Patrick Moore and
this week's special guest, the new voice of the Ontario Rain,
(00:23):
Cam Acquire.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Hello and welcome to Between the Benches David Meridian with
Patrick Moore as we preview the upcoming series between the
Tucson Roadrunners and the Ontario Rain and Patrick, it's good
to be with you. The Roadrunners have now played some games,
albeit in a preseason capacity. They played two contests that
did not count, two exhibition games against the Henderson Silver Knights.
(00:46):
So I was just wondering if you had any initial takeaways.
They weren't able to squeak away a win, but both
games were competitive. Your initial thoughts on the preseason series.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yeah, I think obviously for the Roadrunners, just getting some
competition against anyone is very good for the preseason. Obviously
they don't have the preseason schedule at the NHL. They
were obviously able to play Henderson. Unfortunately, the Roadrunners were
only able to get one goal.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Noa.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Nordeth got the only goal in the first game and
the Roadrunners got shut out to nothing. They did go
oh for four on power play opportunities, and David, as
we talked about a little bit with Cam about the
penalty minutes for the Roadrunners, I believe it was thirty
four minutes that they were in the box combined for
both gams.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Is that right?
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Good?
Speaker 2 (01:31):
That is right? They had It was I think nineteen
just over nineteen minutes in one game and just over
fifteen in another. Now it's a little bit off because
you have some five minute penalties for fighting, but you
can still imagine that thirty four penalty minutes. A lot
of them were counting for power plays for Henderson, so
often they were at a man disadvantage, no.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Question, and we did talk about that a lot in
last week's podcasts of you know, some of the guys
who did leave the Roadrunners. Would that be kind of
coming into effective less penlimits. But obviously the Roadrunner's still
up in their penalty type of ways. But hopefully against
Ontario they'll be able to get less penalty minutes.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
And one of those, I'm pretty sure one of those
players that was up there in penalties last year was
Curtis Douglas and he just made news signing with the
Tampa Bay Lightning. But still the Roadrunners in two preseason
games over thirty four minutes in the penalty box. So yeah,
definitely still an issue.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah, and I think obviously another issue. I mean, offensively,
it's not fun. Again, these games don't count. But with
the power play, you know, going out for four, obviously
the road Runners, you know, offensive production needs to maybe
kind of bolster a little bit. But I think this
is where the coaching staff for the road Runners can
kind of look back at the film, see what they
need to work on and get ready for this weekend's
(02:46):
matchups versus the Ontario Rain.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Absolutely, the one thing I was encouraged by. So you mentioned, right,
one goal in two games disappointing, and we'll we'll definitely
get into that. But I just want to backtrack a
little bit. Is I think in the back half I
liked what I saw. I think Artem Duda and mav Lamaru,
I think that could be a really impressive top defensive line.
I thought they got good goaltending from both Stauber and Vilalta,
so there is some promise there. Coach Potvin feels really
(03:14):
good about mac zuber Ayabuci Peronovich as well. I think
that they've got some that's five defenders right there that
you feel good about and two goaltenders that you're comfortable
with starting in a game. So I think defensively, the
road Runner should be a cell team as long as
they're not playing five on four where they're the team
with four, you know, for an extended period of time. Now,
finding the goal scorers could be tougher, and we can
(03:36):
get into that. Just guys who were going to step
up on that top line and dominate the game, right
that remains to be seen. They were kind of lacking
one player. Maybe Cam he Big in the second preseason
game was a noticeable presence, but other than that, I'm
looking for a few more guys to step up and
take control of the offense.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
And I think, obviously we talked about it a little
bit with Brian last week that you know, preseason, some
guys are still trying to find their footing. We're up
till maybe a couple of weeks into the regular season,
they're still trying to find their footing. So obviously guys
who had very big seasons last year, they have a
lot of expectations coming into the season. But again it's
just it was just preseason games, nothing crazy to you know,
(04:17):
stress about. But I think the Roadrunners will be able
to find that footing. And you talked about how the defensive,
you know, the defensive played by the Roadrunners with Marloo
and also the really good goal team by Valta and
Stabur will help the Roadrunners have a very good advantage
against Ontario.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Yeah, no question, and you'd have to think that it
will be Belalta that will get the go in these
two games. But Jackson Stauber I thought was really impressive
in the first preseason game. Now preseason they both allowed
two goals. The what you would say is, you know,
everybody's rusty, so the offensive opportunities maybe weren't there so
much for Henderson, but you know, the Roadrunners were rusty too,
(04:53):
and I think there were a couple of breakdowns where
the Silver Knights had had good looks and generally Stawburn
Valta were able to hold down the four pretty well.
So definitely expect, you know, Maddy Vee go out there
and get the start Friday. But if they have to
turn to stop or for one reason or another, you know,
I do think they're in good hands. And I thought
he played well and showed good poise last Saturday against Henderson.
I just want to circle back to my previous point.
(05:15):
So one line that we'll see if they stick together.
But for both games it was Koon's, Walker and Matika
that played together the ball. So that makes me think
that that will be a line come the regular season
here on Friday, and I think that they are going
to carry some weight. I mean, I think they could
be the line that sways games if they're able to
(05:36):
be in an advantage and have a positive number in
the plus or minus category. That line that that votes
really well for the road Runners. Because you get he
Big playing up above them, you'd have to think that
you know he's going to perform pretty well with his line.
So then that second line, if you can control the
first two, you know you're in a good spot. Conversely, though,
you know they can kind of neutralize he Big if
(05:56):
that line isn't performing. I thought Sammy Walker and generally
in my opinion, played well. I thought he was pretty
physical flying around the ice. He was a tough player
to miss. So I'd like to see those three guys
continue to gel together with some new pieces there, but
you know, be huge for the Roadrunners if they can produce.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Yeah, I think. I mean, Sammy Walker had a really
big step up last year coming from the Allen Americans
in the EHL. I mean his first game, he got
a goal or two, so you know, he knows, everyone
knows what he can bring to the table. And as
a veteran, you know he can bring that leadership to
his line and help out the Roadrunners, you know, have
a good second line to help out the bottom lines
(06:34):
on the on the depth chart, make a presence known
for Tucson.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Yeah, no, exactly. And the other thing is the one
difference in storyline is you had in the preseason, you
got guys battling for roster spots. Right now, That's still
always the case, especially in the AHL, but now it's
more as gelling as a team, trying to figure out
the lines and so forth. So I think that that's
a line we think will be consistent this year. But
(06:59):
you really don't know. Like I said, first game of
the year, you mentioned they only played two preseason game.
It's not like the NHL, so we generally think this
is gonna be the roster that's on the team. But
you know, we'll see if these lines stick together, and
that's that's certainly one to watch.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
I think it's just a very exciting time for pretty
much the entirely too, with all these lines coming together.
But it's for Tucson. But it's gonna be interesting to
see how the roster shakes up. Obviously, the rosters have
you know, the official opening night roster has not come
out yet. There's some so it works to be done
within the league. But I think just going into tomorrow
and Sunday's game, we'll see how the Roadrunners will shake
(07:36):
up with roster's out. Obviously, with Curtis Douglas signing a
deal with Tampa Bay, that enforcer time mentality is gone.
But you still have Montanney on Abucci who still is
one of those big tough guys in for the Tucson Roadrunners.
So we'll see what happens on opening Night on Friday.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Yeah, and the other thing about the road Runners, Patrick
that I think is a good thing is they're gonna
find out right away where they stand. Right the Ontario
Orain have been a solid team now in the AHL.
Like we mentioned, the Kings are are a top program
as well. So you're playing against a team that won
over forty games, very good winning percentage last season in
the Ontario Rain. So if you think you're going to
(08:13):
be one of the top teams in the Pacific Division,
you got to show it against Ontario, especially on the road.
If they can, you know, even split this weekend, I
think that boats really well for the rest of their season.
But this has an opportunity to be a great measuring
stick for the road Runners, and we're definitely going to
see how they stack up against one of the division's best,
which I think is exciting.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Yeah, I think so too. I mean, you go, you
have do Ontario Rain, who you know when every time
if you win forty games in the AHL, it's specifically
in the Pacific Division, how tough it is, how tight
it is the last couple of years, and with a
goaltender like Eric Portilla, who only has gotten one NHL game,
but you can see that he is right there of
trying to crack a roster spot with the LA Kings,
(08:53):
And this is just also a good time for the
road owners to see how as you said, the measuring
stick of they can get a split or if they
can even get a sweep, would be just a great
start to the season. And heading into Opening nine against
the Calgary Wranglers, that would be such a good momentum
for the guys to come back to Tucson and you know,
feel good that the home fans are going to come
back next week. There's a few guys that I think
(09:13):
would stand out for the Rain that the Runners need
to watch. Obviously Killed Thomas hobviously, who have gotten some
NHL games. Obviously Killed Thomas who who had a big
presence in the junior level, helped out with Team Canada
a couple of years ago. Obviously obviously has gotten some
NHL action with the LA Kings so far. And again
Eric Portillo, you know, obviously hurt at the end of
(09:35):
the season, didn't really play, but he's coming back, and
you know, the tall goaltender will definitely be an interesting
point for the Roaderners offensive production. You know, only getting
the one goal in the preseason, so but obviously, as
I've said it many times on this podcast, it just
didn't count and the Roadunners will be trying to get
some more offensi production from their top lines like Cameron
hebeg in on Friday.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Yeah, exactly, and the Roadrunners sit here at zero and zero,
so it's a clean slate. Last year doesn't matter, the
preseason doesn't matter. They just have to go out there
against a team we expect to be one of the
top in the Pacific Division and show them that they're
on the same level and that they can compete and
possibly win against the Ontario Rain. So it will be
exciting to see how the Roadrunners stack up against one
(10:18):
of the division's best, with the first game being on
Friday at seven pm in the Toyota Arena, just forty
miles east of Los Angeles, and then the series finale
will be Sunday at three pm same place, with coverage
on Flow Sports, AHLTV and Fox Sports fourteen fifty. Coming
up next, we're going to talk to the new voice
(10:40):
of the Ontario Rain, Cam McGuire, and we understand he
just got to the team, so he's got some interesting
details about his transition, but also some very good insights
about the Ontario Rain. Tucson's first opponent of the regular season.
Stay with us.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
This is between the benches.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Welcome back to Tucson Roadrunners. Between the benches David Meridian
alongside Patrick Moore, and we are now joined by Cam maguire,
the voice of the Ontario Rain. And Cam, we understand
it's been a worldwin for you, just very recently introduced
to the team. So if you don't mind diving into
your background and how you came to be a part
of the Rain.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Yeah, first off, thanks for having me on here today.
It's great to chat with you guys. But yeah, it's
been a whirlwind. Like you mentioned, last couple of weeks.
As we chat here on Thursday, October ninth, my first
day with the Rain was a week ago, last last Wednesday,
so I think that was October second or October third.
The dates are kind of all all meshing together. But yeah,
(11:38):
super grateful, honored, excited to be here. It seems like
a tremendous organization. Even in my short times here, the
people I've worked with have been awesome, super supportive and
super helpful. But yeah, a little bit about myself, not
to get too long winded, but was in Boise, Idaho
the last three years with the ehl's Idaho Steel Eds.
(12:00):
Like I said, got hired about a week two weeks ago,
so kind of packed up my things in Boise and
started heading west. Couldn't have asked for a better three years.
They're unbelievable people, amazing city, awesome organization. So it's super
grateful for my time there. It was definitely hard to leave,
but couldn't pass up an opportunity like this. So nothing
(12:23):
but good things to say about Boise and wish to
steal adds nothing but success and a team I'll continue
to follow for many years to come. Before my time
in Boise, I was in Worcester, Massachusetts with the Worcester
Railers for three years two seasons. That was my first
gig out of college, so a great learning experience and
another example a great organization and worked with some great
(12:46):
people that I still keep in touch with today. So
that's kind of where my professional journey has taken me.
Like I said, not to get too long winded, but
went to college outside Chicago at a small Division III
school called Lake Forrest College. Actually went there to play
Division III hockey and didn't make the team and kind
of fell into broadcasting in media. Always wanted to work
(13:10):
in sports, just didn't know what what avenue or what
realm I wanted to go down, and like I said,
just kind of kind of fell into this, right, Never
never dreamed of being a professional announcer, whether what sport
it was. Hockey was always my passion growing up, but yeah,
just kind of fell into it. And here we are
(13:32):
today talking with you guys.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Yeah, quick follow up. So you mentioned just within the
last week going from Idaho to southern California. I'm just wondering,
do you have a place to stay. Are you on
somebody's couch something in between, or how did that all
come together?
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Yeah? No, I have a place, so I'm not sleeping
on the floor quite quite like that. Still getting things
unpacked and getting getting everything organized. But was super lucky, honestly,
Like once I found out I was getting the job,
it was a Friday night, and I spent all weekend
researching places. And Jared Schaffrin, who I'm taking over for,
(14:05):
was now up with the La Kings. Actually his desk
is right behind me here, and then Zach Dooley, who
works with the Kings too, is right over to my left.
So they've been a great resource to have, whether it's
getting comfortable with the area, finding a place to live,
and then obviously everything that the job entails too. I've
probably asked way too many questions to Jared and he's
(14:28):
probably annoyed with me by now, but I promised him
they'll calm down once we get going here. But no,
I found an apartment. Like I said, I spent that
whole weekend researching places, and it's kind of one of
those things where you thought you found a place and
everything looked good, and then I'd go to Jared and
be like, hey, what do you think of this spot?
Is this in a good area? But it didn't check
(14:51):
all the boxes that we kind of needed to check off.
But a couple of days later, kind of found a
place that popped up and couldn't tell if it was
available or not, or if it was still unavailable, so
called the realitor the next day. Long story short, got
things pretty moved along pretty quickly, and drove drove from
(15:14):
Boise out here to El Segundo. That's kind of where
I'm based at the at the Kings and Training practice
facility and where they're all want to drive from Boise
to hear Yeah. We I left at like four am
Monday morning from Boise and probably got into al Segundo
about seven seven thirty, so it was probably like fifteen
(15:36):
hours when it was all said and done. I think
it was like eight and fifty miles. Yeah, like I said,
I'm based out of El Segundo. That's kind of where
the King's practice, the King's front offices are, It's where
the rain practice, so that's where most of the day
to day happens. Realistically, Ontario is more so just for games.
(15:58):
There'll still be occurrences where I do go there, but
since kind of centered and centric around the hockey part,
it's good to be over here in the office. But yeah,
like I said, my apartments about three turns away, so
it takes about five minutes to get to work, which
is which is super awesome.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
And I'm guessing it was tougher for you to find
somewhere closer to la than it would have meant if
you were trying to find somewhere in Ontario, Is that right? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (16:23):
Probably, honestly, Like, it's tough. I mean, I've never lived
in this area before, so having Jared and having Zach
as references to kind of help cross reference, I guess
you could say when I started looking at places, was
great to have but yeah, it's super easy, super convenient
to be right here, and you're obviously making the drive
(16:45):
to Ontario for game days and whatnot. You get into
a routine and you find out what time to leave.
So yeah, it'll it'll be interested in the first couple
of times I go there, but in a month or
two now it'll be kind of just like second nature
with a lot.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
And Patrick is a Southern California guy, So Patrick, do
you have any advice for somebody coming from Idaho and
then formerly worcestered transitioning to southern California.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
I mean, honestly, I think it's just you know, going
to the beaches a couple of times. I think going
to the beaches and maybe a little bit in the winter,
you know, you go in the afternoon, would be kind
of nice. But the sunsets is just I think the
best part when you go to the beach, especially in
the La Ones. You know, obviously I'm from Orange County,
so I don't really go up near LA. I have
(17:28):
been to the Elsi gun practice facility. As someone who
played youth hockey in Southern California, I know that place
all too well. I've lost many games at the ELSI
gunno practice ring before, so I definitely know my way
around that rink. But Cam I wanted to ask you. Obviously,
the Rain with the success they've had the last two years,
(17:49):
obviously in terms of goaltending with Aeric Portillo, he obviously
got called up to the La Kings for the season opener.
How will the Rain goaltenders filled that void with Portilla
moving up?
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Well, he's actually he's actually with Ontario now. So kind
of the backstory of kind of how this all unfolded
was Phoenix Copley. He'd been with the organization last couple
of years. He was claimed off waivers last week with
Tampa Bay, so Ports went up to LA. I think
(18:24):
it might have been for like one day or two day,
and he backed up in a preseason game, but he
was only up there for like a day. So he's
back with the club and he'll be kind of the
starter going forward. So the goaltending situation, obviously with Copley
going off off on waivers that Tampa Bay is something
(18:44):
interesting to look at. But Portillo was awesome last year
fifteen to five and three and twenty four appearances with Ontario.
Made his NHL debut with the Kings in November, made
twenty nine saves in a two to one win over
the Ducks and his loan of appearance with LA last year,
he got hurt in February and kind of missed the
(19:05):
rest of the season. But from everything that I've heard,
everything I've seen, it looks like he's good to go
and healthy heading into this season. So right now, Portillo.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Is kind of that guy.
Speaker 4 (19:14):
And then Isaiah Seville is a player that's on an
HL contract with Ontario. He signed with the Rain this
past summer. Remains the other active goaltender on the roster.
He's originally drafted by Vegas back in twenty nineteen. He
actually missed the whole season last year with an injury,
and seems like he's been kind of a guy that's
battles some injuries in his pro career, but does have
(19:37):
some experience in the American Hockey League as well as
the ECHL dating back to the spring of twenty twenty two.
So those are the two guys going in to Game one.
We'll see how it shakes out as the season progresses.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Have you got an opportunity to talk to the head
coach Andrew Lord?
Speaker 4 (19:55):
Yeah, I have Loredo is awesome. I actually know him
a little bit from when he was in the ECHL
with Greenville, not so it was my second year in Boise,
So the twenty two to twenty three season, our head
coach Everett Sheen in Idaho was the head coach in
the All Star Game for the Western Conference, and Lordo
(20:18):
was the head coach when he was with Greenville for
the Eastern Conference. And I actually had the opportunity to
go to Savannah where the All Star Game was and
help on the broadcast there. So that was the one
and only time I've met Andrew lord but just from
working in the same league around the same time that
he did. Everyone that you meet, everyone you talk to,
(20:39):
has nothing but good things to say about him. Obviously
first year with the organization, but not unfamiliar with the
La Ontario organization, per se because when he was with
Greenville in the ECHL, they were affiliated with the Kings
and the Reigns, so he spent a lot of time
up here prior to the ECHL, whether it was at
(21:01):
rookie camps, development camps. And he has great relationships already
with Rich Sealey, the GM of Ontario. Obviously, various people
in LA as well, and then obviously the coaching staff,
which has been pretty much the same from when he
was in Greenville here. So he's awesome to talk to,
super easy in terms of like an interview talk too.
(21:24):
Gives you a lot of good information. He's always always excited,
high energy, and he knows the game at a very
high level. He's actually in the Quebec Major Junior League.
Last year with Halifax after a couple of years of Greenville.
He took the moose Heads to the playoffs and the QMJHL,
and they were the youngest playoff team to qualify and
(21:46):
actually upset Drummondville, who won the Western Conference regular season championship.
So he's done a lot of good things in his
career and it seems like he's got a great pulse
on the room so far heading into the opening weekend.
It's funny like I keeps saying, like, oh, Andrew Lord
like the rookie, But I don't know, there's something about it.
(22:07):
He just doesn't feel like he's a rookie. He doesn't
feel like he's a first year AHL coach. For whatever reason.
It feels like he's been around for a while. And
I think a lot of that why A lot of
people probably think that why, I think that is just
his long standing relationship with the organization and he's, like
I said, he's a great speaker, knows the game really well.
(22:29):
So I think a lot of that kind of boils
down to why he might not seem like a rookie
AHL head coach, although that he is.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Yeah, I think he's kind of in an interesting spot
because you have the Kings and the reign, both are
very stable in a good position, not requiring a lot
of change. But yet he's a new coach, so there
is naturally going to be some change. How do you
think he's bouncing that? Is he providing a lot of
change or trying to adapt? What's that kind of yah?
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Yeah, And I think in years past too, like from
what I've heard is a and it's it's the same
for most places where you go, right, Like your American
Hockey League team is gonna play the same systems at
the NHL club place, right, And that's very evident here
with LA and Ontario. And I think for Andrew Lord,
(23:15):
like you know, it's one of those things like as
the head coach, like you need to be fully on
board with that, and if you're not on board with that,
things are not gonna Things are just not gonna go well.
And from my week that I've been here watching practice
being around a little bit, uh, he's fully bought into
what LA is preaching and what LA is trying to
(23:36):
do and implementing that into the Ontario rains system. I
think for Lorido too, it's he's got a great support
staff in terms of his other coaches. Chris Heide, who's
been around the block for a long time and has
been with the LA Kings organization, whether it was in
Manchester when they were in the AHL and then moved
(23:57):
to Ontario. He's been around for a while, someone that's
very well respected in the hockey world. So he actually
just got promoted this summer to associate coach. It's funny
because like even watching the way that like Andrew Lord,
Chris Height and then assistant coach Brad Schuler and goaltending
coach Adam Brown, the way that they interact. Right, Obviously,
(24:20):
I'm a new guy, but from what I've observed, it's
like if you told me that it was Andrew Lord's
first year, I'd be like, no way, Like they just
have such great chemistry already on and off the ice,
and it just seems like a great staff all around.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
Now, Cam you were telling you were talking about the
high energy that the coaching staff is going to be
bringing in their first year. And along with that, there
are some returners that are coming back like it killed
Thomas and as lead. Is there any returners or maybe
newcomers for the Ontario Rain that are going to bring
some of that high energy to have them kick off
a good start for the Rain this year?
Speaker 4 (24:57):
Yeah? I think right now heading into two opening week,
probably the most intriguing forward is Cole Gutman, who signed
a two year contract with LA in July. He spent
the last three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks organization won
a national championship at Denver University. Last year, he led
Rockford and scoring with fifty seven points twenty three goals
(25:21):
in seventy games. So I think Cole Gutman's a player
to look at. He's actually kind of a La La native.
He grew up in Northridge, California, which from my understanding
is just up the road a little bit north. He
actually played some minor hockey with the La Junior King
So kind of a little bit of a homecoming for him,
(25:41):
so he's kind of a very intriguing new addition to
the club. Then you have Logan Brown two. He's a
former eleventh overall pick. He spent last year in the
AHL with Syracuse. At twenty nine points in thirty three games,
he's just one game shy of one hundred NHL games.
He's played one hundred and forty eight AHL games. So
(26:01):
those are two forwards speaking, new additions that should make
an impact right away. And then defensively speaking, Samuel Bolduk
who's a former second round pick of the New York Islanders.
He signed a one year deal with LA this past offseason.
He's a guy fifty two NHL games and over two
underd American Hockey League games under his belt. So are
(26:23):
those are kind of the three new guys that weren't
in the system last year. And then there's gonna be
some guys coming over to in the system that have
played in Europe the last couple of years. They'll be
making their professional North American professional debuts. And I think
the most intriguing one defensively speaking is Career Carsanoff. He's
(26:46):
a third round pick back in twenty twenty one with
LA and spent the last couple of years playing in
Russia in the KHL. So there's a lot of interesting pieces.
It's probably the same like it is every year, no
matter what team, what organization you go. You're gonna have
your core returning guys and then yeah, you're gonna have
your key pieces off season additions. So those kind of
(27:10):
guys that we just touched on are kind of the
key off season additions heading into Week one that we
should probably see.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Can the Roadrunners played two preseason games last weekend, they
had over thirty four minutes in the penalty box. You
can maybe infer from that that they're not afraid of
a little bit of a skirmish. So do you expect
the Rain to be as physical and or possibly willing
to fight like we know the Roadrunners will be.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
So it's probably gonna be a long, long game on
Friday and Sunday. Then if we're spending thirty four minutes
in the box.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
Could you would think no?
Speaker 4 (27:44):
But yeah, I mean that's part of the game, right
we you know, the Rain played against San Diego here
in Ontario last Sunday and we didn't see any fights,
But we certainly saw the physical presence on display. In fact,
at the end of the second period, Horn ends I
didn't entirely make out what happened, but there was kind
(28:07):
of a little skirmish, nothing too crazy, but you know,
both benches kind of went on the ice and no
one left to go towards the dressing room. So it's
one of those things, right, It's preseason hockey. But at
the end of the day, these guys are all competitors.
They want to win, no matter if it's a preseason
game on a Sunday afternoon or it's the home opener
(28:28):
on Friday night. So yeah, I mean i'd expect Ontario,
if that's the way that Tucson's going to play, to
have a response, but at the same time be smart
about it. So yeah, it should be exciting and should
be should be entertaining. It always is.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
I mean, just two division rivals. You know, you got
the goals in the Rain obviously, the Ducks and m
Kings rivalry. That's just you know, I feel like that's
just a president already, even in a preseason game for
the Rain and the goals, but obviously with the Roadrunners
record against Ontario last year, two, five and one. The
Rain had the advantage in that series. What do you
(29:06):
expect from both teams again this year? Competitive? Fierce competition
between the both.
Speaker 4 (29:13):
Well, I'd like to sit here and say that I
can forecast this, and I can forecast that, but I
to be completely honest and to be completely blunt. I
can look at I can look at the numbers and
see what happened from last year. But being a new guy,
I'll be honest, I have no idea what to expect.
I can look at the record right and say that
(29:34):
Ontario went six and two against Tucson last year, So
you know the homework that I have done. It looks
like both teams like it is every year, gonna like
I just said a couple of minutes ago, they're gonna
have those returning pieces and then they're gonna have some
new new additions as well. Not to get too like
into the nitty gritty or get too specific, my light
(29:57):
just shut off there, so we're getting a little dark.
But looks like we're all right. I think for me,
like one thing to look at. One thing that's always
interesting that people are going to look at is guys
you know that have been around now for two or
three years, what kind of jump can they make heading
in now that they have a little more experience. So
(30:19):
kind of an overarching theme that's kind of what I'm
most excited and most intrigued to look at this weekend
is to kind of look at whether it's guys on
the Rain or guys with the road Runners, to see
how they've made a jump, whether it's from year two
to three, year one to two. The end of the day, right,
numbers are numbers, and numbers don't lie. But also at
(30:42):
the end of the day, throw the numbers out the
books because yeah, Ontario went six and two against Tucson
last year, but that was last year and this is
this year, so we're gonna find out this weekend.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
Yeah, the Ontario Rain all in all had a great
season last year forty five, forty three, forty three to
twenty five and three and one. So it's always tricky
with the two overtime and shot losses, but again forty three,
twenty five to three and one, so a very good
year overall. We know the Kings, who are a really
good franchise and they've been getting good support from the
Ontario Rain camp. Thanks so much. For your time. We're
(31:15):
looking forward to this weekend Friday at seven and then
Sunday at three coverage for US on HLTV, on Flow
Sports and Fox Sports fourteen fifty in camp. Hopefully look
forward to seeing you when the Roadrunners host The Rain
at the tues Time Convention Center.
Speaker 4 (31:28):
Absolutely, guys appreciate the time, and I'm sure we'll chat
down the road
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