2022-2023 Record: 13-5, 2nd place in the West Division, Lost to Colorado in the West Final
New Faces: Josh Sanderson (Head Coach), Troy Cordingley (Assistant Coach), Phil Sanderson (Assistant Coach), Steve Fryer, Logan Schuss, Clay Scanlan, Thomas Hoggarth, Evan Soucy, Robert Hudson
Key Losses: Kyle Waters, Curtis Manning, Mitch Wilde, Curt Malawsky (Head Coach)
Really, there is nothing holding the Calgary Roughnecks back from repeating the success that they had in 2022-2023 as they head into the 2023-2024 season.
For the most part, they have kept their core players together and picked up a couple of key acquisitions in the off-season by picking up Logan Schuss and Thomas Hoggarth.
Probably the biggest loss for the Calgary Roughnecks this past offseason comes behind the bench. Curt Malawsky made the decision to head over to Vancouver to try and turn that franchise around. Josh Sanderson takes over behind the bench but he’s got a lot of help with Troy Cordingley and Phil Sanderson as his assistant coaches.
Offense
Nine of Calgary’s 10 point-getters are back including Jesse King who is coming off a 100-point season. King is joined on the left side by Dan Taylor, Tanner Cook, and Logan Schuss.
Again, add Thomas Hoggarth into an already strong core on the right side for the Roughnecks and they only get stronger. Josh Currier, Haiden Dickson, and Tyler Pace will make this a dangerous offense.
Defense
Transition was Calgary’s bread and butter last year. Zach Currier was seventh in team scoring with 33 points, Shane Simpson was eighth with 28 points, and Jeff Cornwall was 11th with 15 points. Let’s not forget that goaltender Christian Del Bianco was 10th in points with 19 assists.
They have plenty of depth as well when you add in Reece Callies, Eli Salama, Liam LeClair, Ethan Ticehurst, Seth Van Schepen, Harrison Matsuoka, Connor Cook, Clay Scanlan, and Evan Soucy. Speed and getting down the field will be key for the Roughnecks along with Del Bianco connecting with the long ball.
Goaltending
Of course, there is no competition was it comes to the number one goaltender. That’s Christian Del Bianco. What’s more interesting will be the battle for the backup spot.
Calgary brought in veteran backup Steve Fryer in the offseason, while they also have Adam Bland also coming back. Could Bland find himself on the practice roster? Could Fryer be a veteran body brought into training camp to push the young goaltender? These are questions that will be answered in the coming weeks.
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 9pm (ET) on eopsports.com
Shawn Slaght has been a sports reporter across the Canadian prairies for over 10 years and has experience covering everything from junior hockey to World Cup skiing to all levels of lacrosse. He is the Saskatchewan correspondent for All Lacrosse All The Time.
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