Andrew Leyshon will have a much bigger role for Calgary this season after the club lost Curtis Palidwor in the expansion draft.
SEASON PREVIEW: CALGARY ROUGHNECKS
Kelusky, Toth & Ratcliff back to lead revamped Roughnecks
01/08/2007
The Calgary Roughnecks again look to be a top competitor in the West, however this season the Riggers will rely on some new faces. The club lost Jason Wulder, Kevin Dostie, Callum Crawford, Curtis Palidwor and Assistant Coach Jeff Dowling over the summer, and will rely on a handful of newcomers to play supporting roles to the team's big guns.Offensively the Roughnecks will look to their top guns, Lewis Ratcliff, Tracey Kelusky and Kaleb Toth. Ratcliff led the team in scoring last year with 91 points on 37 goals and 54 assists and was named the 2006 All-Star Game MVP. Team captain and multi-time All-Pro Tracey Kelusky along with former "NLL Hardest Shot" Champion Kaleb Toth are also back in Calgary. The club however lost Jason Wulder, Kevin Dostie and prospect Callum Crawford in the off-season. Head Coach Chris Hall will look to Jeff Shattler, Shawn Cable, Jamie Rooney, Scott Ranger and Scott Anderson to step up.
Calgary took the biggest hit on defense over the summer, losing 2004 Champion's Cup MVP Curtis Palidwor to New York in the Expansion Draft, leaving Calgary with a question mark in goal. The Roughnecks will rely on Andrew Leyshon and Ryan Avery to replace Palidwor, but neither saw a significant amount of action last season.
The good news for Calgary is that defender Andy Ogilvie has returned and is healthy to play. Craig Gelsvik, Devan Wray, Ryan McNish and Former Rookie of the Year Taylor Wray also return on defense.
In the transition game, the Roughnecks are bringing back Jesse Phillips and are welcoming newcomers Nolan Heavenor and Kerry Susheki, who should help Calgary push the ball up the floor.
The Roughnecks open with a double header, hosting San Jose on Friday at 7:30 PM Mountain and then they travel to Edmonton on Saturday for a 7:00 PM Mountain showdown with the Rush.
Calgary Roughnecks - 2006 Recap
Finish: Lost to Colorado 18-17 (OT) in the West Divisional Semifinals
Regular Season Record: 9-7
Post Season Record: 0-1
Home Record: 4-4
Road Record: 5-3
Goals For: 183
Goals Against:178
2007 Roster - as of January 9th
4 - Devan Wray, Defenseman
7 - Brennan Day, Defenseman
9 - Kaleb Toth, Forward
11 - Ryan McNish, Defenseman
14 - Jeff Moleski, Defenseman
16 - Jamie Rooney, Forward
17 - Tracey Kelusky, Forward
19 - Kyle Goundrey, Forward
20 - Andy Ogilvie, Defenseman
24 - Scott Anderson, Forward
28 - Craig Gelsvik, Forward
28 - Nolan Heavenor, Forward
34 - Luke Hinton, Forward
37 - Andrew McBride, Defenseman
41 - Andrew Leyshon, Goaltender
42 - Lewis Ratcliff, Forward
44 - Taylor Wray, Defenseman
60 - Ryan Avery, Goaltender
71 - Scott Ranger, Forward
74 - Jesse Phillips, Defenseman
77 - Jeff Shattler, Defenseman
84 - Kerry Susheski, Forward
85 - Shawn Cable, Forward
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