Last night opening action in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) western divisions began with Pacific action between the expansion franchise, Bakersfield Roughnecks, and one of last season’s expansion franchises, the Long Beach Shredders. The Roughnecks edged out the Shredders in a close contest, winning it in OT 3-2 for their first win in franchise history. The rosters throughout the Pacific Division in the USPHL are taking shape and with games just starting up, it’s officially hockey season! This article is based off the current information available on Elite Prospects, and isn’t necessarily meant to be a prediction for the season, but more of an early season assessment. Make sure to select any team below to get tickets and support your local team!
BAKERSFIELD ROUGHNECKS: The newest addition to the Pacific Division is the expansion organization the Bakersfield Roughnecks, led by former professional hockey player and coach, Paul Willett. Coach Willett has a tall order in front of him as the Pacific Division has some of the strongest competition, but he and his team have been working throughout the off-season to build a strong contender. Goaltender Connor Dumesnil put up strong numbers last season in his home state of Arizona and will also see competition for the blue paint from fellow netminders Max Sutton, Phoenix Hewlett and Nataniel Elliott. The Roughnecks may struggle coming out of the gates as a new team in the league learning to mesh, but with forwards such as Tyson Baumbach and Sean McGurty and blueliners such as Émile Rodrigue and Noah Carpenter, expect the Roughnecks to make some noise in the Pacific Division this year.
FRESNO MONSTERS: Much like the Utah Outliers of the Mountain Division, the Monsters have been at the top of the USPHL Pacific Division for the past two years now and went off the Nationals. However the Monsters domination extends back to the 2019-2020 season, back when they were a part of the WSHL, a season that was cut short – due to that which we shall not speak of – where they were also sitting at the top of the West. But after three seasons of domination the Monsters have a new Head Coach in Kyle Christensen, who is a former Assistant Coach for the NAHL Corpus Christi Ice Rays. With goaltenders Ethan Jourden and Colin Gallamore in net, and several forwards from the Mexican WC teams, Fresno is eyeing a return to Nationals. The Monsters roster is pretty slim on Elite Prospects as of this article, but they always know how to build a winner.
LAKE TAHOE LAKERS: Last season the Lake Tahoe Lakers were one of several expansion teams in the Pacific Division, but they were the only expansion organization to post a winning record. Much like aforementioned Fresno Monsters, the Lakers Elite Prospects profile remains slim, so it’s a bit difficult to assess how the team may develop this year. However, Head Coach Jason Smith will be looking to continue the team’s winning ways, especially with returning foundational players such as forward Ari Rossi and blueliner Chase Sechrist. In the blue paint, Coach Smith signed former Utah Outliers netminder Fabian Pozzera, and introduces American goaltenders Chris Walgren and William Oakeley to the program, so the Lakers will be looking to build on last year’s success and return to the playoffs.
LAS VEGAS THUNDERBIRDS: The Las Vegas T-Birds are the solo team in the Pacific Division that aren’t located in California, and they came up just shy of heading to the Nationals last year to represent the Pacific, falling to the Fresno Monsters in the playoffs. General Manager Adam Bonaldi wants more this season – he wants that trip to Nationals – and he’s been working through the off-season to build a contender, returning netminder Loic Morin, and signing former Minnesota Moose netminder Simon Johnson and Quebec native, Éric Villeneuve. He was also able to re-sign critical pieces such as forwards Michael Wells and Guillaume Dufour, as well as blueliner Tristan Nelson. Don’t be shocked if the T-Birds take the Pacific by storm this year and cruise off to Nationals.
LONG BEACH SHREDDERS: The Shredders have some of the sickest threads in all of hockey – such a unique combo that just stands out and makes junior hockey so unique and fun. This is the vision and product of former NHLer Emerson Etem who is not only the owner of the franchise, but the head coach. The Shredders were another of the expansion teams in the Pacific Division last season, but struggled to find the chemistry to win night in and night out. Coach Etem will be looking to turn that around this season, and his hockey operations team has been busy in the off-season re-signing key foundational players and finding new pieces. The Shredders were able to return blueliner Josh Quetel as well as forwards Carter Zawortny, Gabriel Gifford and Kody Fitzgerald. The Shredders also went out and signed netminder Jacob Baxter, blueliners Yuri Stalev and Drew Mazza, and forwards Jordao Pulongbarit, Nathan Compton and Cole Colbert — so expect the Shredders to massively improve on last season’s performance.
ONTARIO JR. REIGN: The Ontario Jr. Reign were the third and final expansion organization into the Pacific Division last year and had a successful first season, making the playoffs while building a foundation for the future. Head Coach Jeremy Blumes will once again be at the helm of the Reign this season and brings with him over a decade of coaching and scouting experience, so he knows and to build and develop a contender. During the off-season he was able to re-sign foundational pieces such as Zach Stangness and Andrew Cervantes as well as sign new faces such as former Shredders netminder Julian Arenal and Canadian forwards Nicholas Fiolleau, Aidan Turner and Skylar Olson. With a strong combination of all Canadian and Californian-born players, the Reign look to improve on their playoff performance from last season and make a push for Nationals.
SAN DIEGO SABERS: The San Diego Sabers had a disappointing season and failed to make the playoffs last year. This year former Head Coach Domenick Dicicco is now the Sabers General Manager and former Buffalo Regals (GOJHL) Head Coach Tyler Casillo is behind the bench, and the Sabers are looking to build upon last year’s experience and make a push for the playoffs. Dicicco has been building a strong contender during the off-season, re-signing foundational pieces such as blueliner Reed Loree and forward Joey Chappelle, and new faces such as former Florida Eels’ Mathieu Rioux and Carl Ingalls, as well as Quebec natives, forward Ulric Martel and netminder Alex Hurens. The Sabers are ready to turn the page with a new sharp jersey and return the city of San Diego to the playoffs – get ready to hear them roar!
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Author: CD, Host, Pigeonhole Hockey Podcast
