HAF
09-22-2006, 12:13 PM
http://www.sportstricities.com/sportstc/hockey/americans/story/8220732p-8117510c.html
Nachbaur, Ams champing at bit
This story was published Friday, September 22nd, 2006
By Jeff Morrow Herald sports editor
Opening Day is upon the Western Hockey League, and it couldn't come sooner for Don Nachbaur and his Tri-City Americans team.
"It's been a long time since camp opened a month ago," Nachbaur said. "The season just creeps up on you. You're evaluating talent, teaching kids. Then it's here."
The Americans open the season with games today and Saturday in British Columbia.
The opener today is 6 p.m. at the Kootenay Ice, and the Ams then travel to Kelowna for a 7 p.m. Saturday start. The home opener is Sept. 30 against the Spokane Chiefs.
Nachbaur is excited about this season's edition of the Americans.
"We're so much further ahead than where we were last year," he said. "We struggled putting the puck in the net early, then we picked up some veterans and got better."
Nachbaur said The Hockey News picked the Ams to finish 19th out of 21 teams in the preseason poll. But that poll was made before the team made some key trades during the past few weeks.
Ams general manager Bob Tory acquired Euro Ladislav Scurko from the Seattle Thunderbirds in one deal, then got forwards Colton Yellow Horn and Michael Kaye from Lethbridge in another.
"The cool thing about Yellow Horn is he's got a lot of experience," Nachbaur said.
Immediately, the Americans picked up 143 points (54 goals and 89 assists) of WHL experience from the 2005-06 season.
The league's writers have picked the Americans from anywhere from fourth overall to 18th for the coming season.
New rules in place for this season include a tighter check on defense.
"On offense, you can be far more creative," said Nachbaur. "You can take chances. You get by a defenseman by a step he's obligated to skate after you rather than hook you. It definitely puts the defenders on their heels."
With the added offensive firepower, things may open up for the Americans.
But Nachbaur knows the key for his team this season begins at the other end of the ice.
"Any time you talk about hockey, you have to start in the net," he said.
That's where goalie Carey Price will be -- albeit not just yet. Price currently is in the Montreal Canadiens' training camp.
But the Ams have an able backup in net with Chet Pickard, who played in 26 games last season for the Americans.
The key for Nachbaur is getting everyone -- the new acquisitions and the old guard -- to meld into one cohesive unit.
"Most of these guys bring in habits from other teams," he said. "We have a certain way of doing things here. But I'll be happy if we achieve a goal that we set out to do. And that should be making the playoffs."
And it all begins tonight.
Nachbaur, Ams champing at bit
This story was published Friday, September 22nd, 2006
By Jeff Morrow Herald sports editor
Opening Day is upon the Western Hockey League, and it couldn't come sooner for Don Nachbaur and his Tri-City Americans team.
"It's been a long time since camp opened a month ago," Nachbaur said. "The season just creeps up on you. You're evaluating talent, teaching kids. Then it's here."
The Americans open the season with games today and Saturday in British Columbia.
The opener today is 6 p.m. at the Kootenay Ice, and the Ams then travel to Kelowna for a 7 p.m. Saturday start. The home opener is Sept. 30 against the Spokane Chiefs.
Nachbaur is excited about this season's edition of the Americans.
"We're so much further ahead than where we were last year," he said. "We struggled putting the puck in the net early, then we picked up some veterans and got better."
Nachbaur said The Hockey News picked the Ams to finish 19th out of 21 teams in the preseason poll. But that poll was made before the team made some key trades during the past few weeks.
Ams general manager Bob Tory acquired Euro Ladislav Scurko from the Seattle Thunderbirds in one deal, then got forwards Colton Yellow Horn and Michael Kaye from Lethbridge in another.
"The cool thing about Yellow Horn is he's got a lot of experience," Nachbaur said.
Immediately, the Americans picked up 143 points (54 goals and 89 assists) of WHL experience from the 2005-06 season.
The league's writers have picked the Americans from anywhere from fourth overall to 18th for the coming season.
New rules in place for this season include a tighter check on defense.
"On offense, you can be far more creative," said Nachbaur. "You can take chances. You get by a defenseman by a step he's obligated to skate after you rather than hook you. It definitely puts the defenders on their heels."
With the added offensive firepower, things may open up for the Americans.
But Nachbaur knows the key for his team this season begins at the other end of the ice.
"Any time you talk about hockey, you have to start in the net," he said.
That's where goalie Carey Price will be -- albeit not just yet. Price currently is in the Montreal Canadiens' training camp.
But the Ams have an able backup in net with Chet Pickard, who played in 26 games last season for the Americans.
The key for Nachbaur is getting everyone -- the new acquisitions and the old guard -- to meld into one cohesive unit.
"Most of these guys bring in habits from other teams," he said. "We have a certain way of doing things here. But I'll be happy if we achieve a goal that we set out to do. And that should be making the playoffs."
And it all begins tonight.