SPRINGFIELD, MA – On Monday, the initial Springfield Thunderbirds training camp roster was announced.
As they enter training camp, the Thunderbirds carry 16 forwards, ten defensemen, and three goaltenders. Of the 16 forwards, nine are returning. Of the ten defensemen, two are returning. And out of all three netminders, one that is returning played consistently, but there is a second that has a history in Springfield.
Forwards
Adam Gaudette
During the 2022-23 season, Gaudette split his time between the Toronto Marlies and the Thunderbirds. In this time, he played a combined 65 games while scoring 27 goals and tacking on 24 assists.
Gaudette also brings with him 218 games of NHL experience with him with the Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks, and the Chicago Blackhawks. While in the NHL, he tallied 27 goals with 43 assists to go along with them.
Mikhail Abramov
Much like the aforementioned Gaudette, Abramov split his time in the 2022-23 season between the Marlies and the T-Birds. In that time he played in 55 games, scoring 11 goals and racking up 13 assists.
Abramov has yet to crack the NHL roster, but the Russian-born center hopes that this year he can make an impact and show Blues general manager Doug Armstrong that he has what it takes.
Hugh McGing
McGing was on his game while in Springfield last season setting career-highs in all offensive categories with 17 goals, and 22 assists. He even played in a career-high 71 games.
McGing earned a call-up to the Blues last season, but it was for one game where he was only able to log 9:37 minutes of ice time for the big club. McGing is hoping to put up similar numbers this year, and perhaps, earn another call-up and stay with St. Louis a bit longer.
Steven Jandric
During the 2022-23 season, Jandric split his time between the Worcester Railers (ECHL) and the Thunderbirds, where he played a combined 52 games. In that time he scored 10 goals and 17 assists.
As part of the initial Thunderbirds training camp roster, Jandric is looking to stay in Springfield more consistently. He wants to show to the Blues brass that he is an AHL-caliber player and not one that needs more time with the Railers.
Keean Washkurak
Washkurak is one of the few players (including McGing) on this Thunderbirds training camp roster left from the Thunderbirds’ run to the Calder Cup Finals in the 2021-22 season.
Washkurak is looking to have a more healthy season in 2023-24, after being limited to 45 games last season. In that span, he had 10 goals and three assists, and will look to improve that number by getting off on the right foot.
Mitchell Hoelscher
Mitchell Hoelscher was locked in on playing games and getting solid ice time in the 2022-23 season, but was, unfortunately, unable to produce much on the scoring sheet.
While he played in a career-high 57 games, he was only able to notch nine goals, and dish out six assists. Hoelscher is looking to have a more consistent season this year, and up his totals from last year.
Will Bitten
Bitten was a bit of a surprise to be sent back down to Springfield so quickly. Bitten put up superb numbers in the 2022-23 season. Through in 67 games, and scored 22 goals and tallied 23 assists to go with it.
Perhaps what Armstrong is looking out of Bitten is a bit more discipline. Bitten did set a career-high with 36 penalty minutes last season.
Matthew Peca
Fans in Springfield were unsure if Peca was going to be coming back after it appeared he was either going to retire or go somewhere else, but he’s back in a Thunderbirds jersey. At least, to start the season that is.
Looking at the Thunderbirds’ training camp roster, Peca is the prime candidate to be named captain, following the retirement of Tommy Cross. However, according to sources within the organization, the team has yet to name a captain just yet. In two years with the T-Birds, Peca has played in a combined 126 games, where he has scored 38 goals and tacked on 73 assists.
Drew Callin
The final returning forward (thus far), Callin, is another candidate to be captain, but he likely won’t be named captain unless Peca becomes a permanent fixture with the Blues.
In two seasons with Springfield, Callin has played 114 games. He has scored 12 goals, and added 13 assists to that total. Callin has been a vocal and physical in Springfield for the past two years, watch for that to continue.
Thunderbirds Training Camp Roster- Defensemen
Austin Osmanski
Osmanski returns to the Thunderbirds after having an injury riddled/scratch ridden season in 2022-23. He was only able to notch 30 games.
In those 30 games, Osmanski was able to put one in the net, and dish out five assists. Osmanski was a more physical presence on the ice than anything, tallying 28 penalty minutes. Watch for him to focus more on dishing the puck more, and finding twine this season.
Hunter Skinner
The only other returning defenseman (so far), Skinner, is looking to play a larger role in Springfield after coming over from their rivals, the Hartford Wolf Pack.
In the 2022-23 season, he split time between the Wolf Pack, the Jacksonville Ice Men (ECHL), and the Thunderbirds. In that time he played in 45 games and scored three goals, and added 13 assists to his totals. Watch for his role to increase this season, especially if St. Louis elects to keep Matt Kessel this season.
Goaltenders on the Thunderbirds’ Training Camp Roster
Vadim Zherenko
Zherenko is entering another season as a goaltender for Springfield: whether he is the starter is another story, no thanks to the signing of Malcolm Subban.
As the back-up to Joel Hofer, Zherenko played in 25 games all while tallying a 10-9-3 record with a 3.14 GAA, and .913 SV%. If Subban winds up with the Thunderbirds, it’s likely he’ll play second-fiddle again, but anything is possible at this time as it looks like Subban and Hofer are battling it out to backup Jordan Binnington.
Colten Ellis
While Ellis has not actually made an appearance with Springfield since the 2021-22 season, we count that as a returning netminder here at AHL News Now.
In that time he made six appearances, going 1-3-2 with a 3.93 GAA, and an .880 SV%. It’s likely he will see more time in the ECHL, than he will with the Thunderbirds this season, but if there are injuries, he’ll most likely be the first goalie they call.
When does the preseason start?
The preseason begins on Wednesday, October 4, when Springfield takes on Hartford at Trinity College. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
