mostly nonfiction and bakersfield news | July 3rd, 2009
Commentary: Are Condors Trying To Shake Up The ECHL?
While Pep Fernandez of ABC23 called the Condors latest off-season player additions of Pierre Luc Lessard on defense and forward Erick Lizon part of a “blue-collar, youth movement in Condorstown” I can only think, are the Condors trying to shake up Condorstown, or even the league in the upcoming season?
I can only hope so. I’d like to see a Kelly Cup championship, wouldn’t you?
According to Pep, the Condors don’t have an affiliate yet, which could leave any team office staff in a cranky mood when shooting for Kelly Cup gold. I’d talk to the staff, but to be honest, I’m too afraid to pick up the phone and call Condors President Matt Riley or communications guru Kevin Bartl to ask questions. After Bartl’s lambasting of the U.S. as a typical disgrace to soccer in his Many Faces of Bartle Blog, I can’t just call him up. You never know which face that guy might be wearing, you know? I mean, he’s still fresh off a war in the mud pits.
So I’ll just speculate for now.
Is Pep really even correct? Isn’t tough hockey in the trenches what it’s always about? In a way hockey is sort of a blue collar tough man’s sport to watch. It’s just damn expensive to play. And this whole affiliate business? The Condors in their latest press release did call themselves the “official ECHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks.” So what’s that all about? Do they or don’t they have an affiliate?
I really should pick up the phone.
The announcement of Lessard and Lizon was made by Condors Head Coach Marty Raymond on Thursday. Lessard is only 21, and was selected in the fourth round of the NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators in 2006. He’s a five-year veteran of the Canadian junior hockey ranks where he recorded 42 goals and 134 assists for 176 points in 307 games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Coach Marty Raymond said, “We’re signing one of the best defensemen in the QMJHL. Pierre-Luc is a two-way defenseman, who excels in the offensive zone, especially on the power play.”
I’m not sure if that’s a shake-up-the-league kind of player, but you never know how anyone is going to gel with someone like Matt Pope, who could continue his hot streak in the ECHL. Unless of course the AHL pulls him out of Bakersfield, which is likely.
According to the Condors, Lizon, 23, has made a name for himself as a bruiser at the pro level, amassing more than 100 PIM in both of his two full professional seasons. In 2008-09, with Laredo of the CHL, Lizon produced 7 goals and 9 assists, along with 115 PIM in 60 games. With Rockford of the UHL in 2006-07, Lizon finished with 137 PIM in 52 games. Prior to his pro career, the 6-foot, 4-inch, 205-lbs Kitchner, Ontario native recorded 14 goals, 20 assists and 230 PIM in 103 games with Victoriaville of QMJHL. In 2005-06, Lizon led his team in PIM.
“Erick brings size and strength to the Condors,” said Raymond. “He’s the type of player fans will get excited about seeing each night.”
In other words, the coach promises more gladiator battles with gloves off at center ice for Bakersfield’s bloodthirsty fans (That would be me). I can’t help it. I don’t always like to watch boxing. But boxing and hockey? I like that.
If you don’t think so, just watch this video of Lizon in action.
Seriously, Raymond’s statement sends a message not just to the fans, but to the entire league: that though the Condors made a run last season, any run in the upcoming season will be backed by intimidation of opponents right out of the gate. And if that’s not a message to shake up Condorstown and the ECHL, I don’t know what is.
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In the words of Jon Mirasty —–let’s get it on I can’t wait