After reaching the playoffs for the first time in two seasons, the Mavericks had a lot to be excited about. However, they did have a first-round exit losing in 7 games to the Tulsa Oilers. The Mavericks knew they had a good core to build on, but that changes needed to be made. The Mavericks did not take that task lightly as this offseason they made numerous changes. It is also clear that there has been an improvement in the Mavericks’ relationship with the Stockton Heat and the Calgary Flames as their influence and assistance is very visible. Training Camp starts on Monday, so to kick things off here is my run down of the additions, departures, and returning players and coaches!

Returning Players

Neal Goff (D)- Big Man “Papa” Goff is returning for his second season with the Mavericks. Goff played in 55 games for the Mavericks last season and mostly saw top pairing minutes. His 6’5”, 220 lb. presence will be a welcome force on the ice!

Darian and David Dziurzynski (F)- The Dizzy Brothers are back! Both of them scored 48 points last season and were also known for their grit. The brotherly love will be apparent on the ice this season!

Cliff Watson (D)- Watson spent long stretches of time last season in the AHL on several professional tryouts, but when he was with the Mavericks he was as solid as could be. Watson saw top pairing minutes as well. In the 25 games he played for the Mavericks last season he scored 14 points (7g,7a) and was a +8.

Brett Beauvais (D)- Beauvais was a victim of the numbers game last season. Brett only dressed for 30 games as the 7th Defenseman on the Mavericks roster. In those 30 games he had 5 assists. Hopefully Brett has a strong camp and can earn himself a regular spot!

Corey Durocher (F)- After missing the first few months with an injury, Corey came thundering back into the lineup. Durocher played 39 games last season and was nearly a point-per-game player with 36 points (18g,18a).

C.J. Eick (F)- Small in stature but tenacious in play, fan favorite C.J. Eick is returning for his second full season with the Mavericks. Eick is constantly on the move and in the muck of every play. In 70 games last season, Eick scored 27 points (12g,15a).

Rocco Carzo (F)- The Captain is returning for his 5th season with the Mavericks. Coming off of a torn ACL in the 2017-18 season, last season Rocco had a career year. He led the team in points with 59 (20g,39a) and had 5 points in the playoffs (1g,4a). He played in all 72 games last season and seemed to be even better than before his knee injury! Rocco also had a big offseason as he proposed to his girlfriend! Congratulations Rocco!

Greg Betzold (F)- Greg Betzold was another electric presence last season. Betz was second in scoring with 56 points (25g,31a) in 70 games. This will be his third season with the Mavericks!

Loren Ulett (F)- Ulett impressed at camp last season, but started the season in the SPHL. He was added to the team mid-season and didn’t look back. Ulett quickly became a fan favorite with his hard-nosed, gritty style of play. In 38 games he had 8 points (3g,5a) and 93 Penalty Minutes! Expect to hear the boards thunder again as Ulett takes the ice.

Notable Departures

Jared Van Wormer- As it became apparent that Van Wormer wasn’t going to re-sign with the Mavericks, his rights were traded along with Brayden Sherbinin to the Norfolk Admirals for Luke Nogard and future considerations. Worms has not been invited to any AHL camps. Van Wormer leaves as 8th leading scorer in Mavericks history with 90 points (42g,48a).

Mark Cooper- In a similar situation to Van Wormer, Cooper’s rights were traded to the South Carolina Stingrays for the rights to Tad Kozun and Kevin McKernan. McKernan and Kozun signed with the Mavericks the next week. Cooper leaves as the 10th leading scorer with 84 points (36g,48a)

Jordan Klimek- Klimek was traded to the Maine Mariners for Derek Pratt and Garrett Cecere. Klimek was then traded to the South Carolina Stingrays

Riley Sweeney- Sweeney was not re-signed by the Mavericks. He has signed a contract with Angers of the Synerglace Ligue Magnus in France.

Willie Raskob- Raskob was property of the Stockton Heat but spent 69 of the 72-game schedule with the Mavericks. Raskob signed with Rungsted Seier Capital in Denmark. Raskob was a potent offensive force last season scoring 49 points (9g,40a)

Nikolas Koberstein- After impressing in a short ATO stint with the Mavericks, Koberstein retired on September 3.

Nate Widman- Retired during the offseason

Mason McDonald- McDonald’s contract was not extended by the Calgary Flames. He signed with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL. This will be a blow to the Mavericks as Mason’s stellar performance helped carry them to the playoffs. In 36 games he had a 2.54 Goals Against Average and a Save Percentage of .917. I expect McDonald to start the year with the Utah Grizzlies who are the ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Eagles.

Ben Halford- Halford signed with the Adirondack Thunder on September 26. I’m sad to see Halford go but I am glad he will get a shot with Adirondack. Halford posted a 3.24 GAA and .899 Save Percentage in 13 games for the Mavericks.

Assistant Coach Kyle Hood- Hood announced on July 15th that he was resigning as assistant coach of the Mavericks. He took a job coaching the u-16 Boy’s Hockey team at Bishop’s College School in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.

Additions

John Furgele (D)- Last season, Furgele played 51 games with the Maine Mariners and scored 21 points (8g,13a) with a +7 rating. He was acquired by the Mavericks from the Atlanta Gladiators. In the 15 games he played with the Gladiators he had 3 assists with a -4 rating.

Justin Woods (D)- Woods is property of Stockton but has been assigned to the Mavericks. He split his season last year between the Manitoba Moose of the AHL and the Jacksonville Ice Men of the ECHL. With Manitoba he played 9 games and had 1 assist. With Jacksonville he played 44 games and scored 20 points (9g,11a) and played in 6 playoff games for the Ice Men.

Michael Parks (F)- Parks is another Stockton weapon. He played 44 games with Dornbirner EC of the Austrian Erste Bank Eishockey Liga and had 22 points (10g,12a) with a -22 Rating. In the 2016-17 season he played for the Quad City Mallards in the ECHL and had 56 points (29g,27a) in 61 games.

Ryan Galt (F)- Galt finished his collegiate career with the University of Nebraska-Omaha last season with 8 points (4g,4a) in his final year. He also appeared in 4 games with the Utah Grizzlies and had 1 goal. He played u-16 Midget hockey with the former Russel Stover traveling team in Overland Park, KS!

Derek Pratt (D)- Pratt played 63 games with the Maine Mariners and had 18 points (2g,16a) and 78 Penalty Minutes.

Tad Kozun (F)- Kozun played 59 games with the South Carolina Stingrays and scored 50 points (18g,32a) and had 109 PIMS! He also played in 5 playoff games for the Stingrays and scored 2 points (1g,1a). He will be a huge addition to the Mavericks forward group.

Kevin McKernan (D)- In 60 games with the South Carolina Stingrays, McKernan scored 28 points (6g,22a) and had a +9 rating with 44 PIMs.

Jack Walker (F)- Walker played 38 games with the Utah Grizzlies and scored 25 points (7g,18a).

Jade McMullen (F)- McMullen finished his collegiate career with Western Michigan University where he was an alternate captain. He scored 9 points (3g,6a) in his final year. He also played 3 games with the Fort Wayne Komets.

Bryan Lemos (F)- Lemos finished his Division I NCAA career with Providence College. This will be his first professional season!

Cole Fraser (D)- Also making his profession debut, Fraser played with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League where he scored 21 points (5g,16a) and had 74 PIMS and a +4 rating.

Assistant Coach Kohl Schultz- Coach Schultz will be joining the Mavericks for his first season as a professional Assistant Coach. Previously he has served as the video coordinator for the Stockton Heat and Director of Hockey Operations at Bemidji State University. Schultz is a Kansas City native having attended Shawnee Mission East High School! The addition of Schultz has been a huge factor in Calgary and Stockton’s buy in with the Mavericks. Having a coach that they trust on the staff has helped immensely.

Assistant Coach Kohl Schultz

Stockton has also signed 4 players to two-way AHL/ECHL Contracts. Expect to see some or all of these players down with Mavericks at different points in the season. These players are:

Defensemen

Zach Osburn- https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/186312/zach-osburn

Terrance Amorosa-https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/248322/terrance-amorosa

Forwards

Matthew Gaudreau- https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/121912/matt-gaudreau (Yes, the Calgary Flames system has the rights to both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau)

Mitch Hults- https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/135920/mitch-hults

With the departure of Mason McDonald and Ben Halford, the goaltending situation is up in the air. Currently Stockton has 5 goaltenders at training camp. Jon Gillies is a lock for Stockton. They also have a goaltender on a tryout named Hayden Hawkey. The three remaining goaltenders in the Calgary Flames system are:

Nick Schneider– Schneider played in 21 games for KC in 2018-19 Season posting a 3.66 GAA and an .884 SP. Schneider will almost certainly start the season with the Mavericks.

Tyler Parsons- Parsons played in 28 games for KC in 2017-18 Season posting a 3.16 GAA and a .902 SP. Parsons dealt with injuries this past season and will be looking for a bounce back year. He will likely be with the Mavericks to start the year as well.

Artyom Zagidulin- Zagidulin was recently signed by the Calgary Flames. The 24-year-old goaltender has spent the last 4 seasons in the KHL. It’s possible that Artyom sees some time in Kansas City but I expect him to spend the bulk of his time in Stockton.