Thursday’s release of the American Hockey League schedule was a big relief for the San Diego Gulls, especially their marketing department, because they could turn their attention to other details. There are several things to keep team officials busy as they prepare for the franchise’s inaugural season, which is just six weeks away. Here’s a glance at a few of those things for Gulls fans to be aware of over the next few weeks:

TRAINING CAMP

The Gulls, who are an affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, will have a prospects camp, consisting of players who were drafted, on entry-level contracts and some free agents, beginning on Sept. 9 in Anaheim.

“We will take a look at them for five or six days, play a couple games and evaluate them,” Gulls GM Bob Ferguson said. “The next step after that, some of the players will be returned to their junior teams in Canada, but the majority will go to Anaheim’s main camp.”


The main camp begins Sept. 17 in Anaheim. This is where the real evaluation begins, with younger players being released to the Gulls as the camp unfolds.

“Some players will be assigned to San Diego after a game or two when it’s obvious they may not be ready,” Ferguson said. “There will be a filtration process with players. We’ll try to get as many players as possible of this group into a preseason game so they can experience it and so we as an organization can get a good read of where players are at.”

Ferguson said there will be some players who stay in Anaheim right up until the Ducks have to complete their final roster.

The Gulls will finish camp in San Diego the final week of the preseason as they complete their roster leading up to the team’s season opener on Oct. 10. Those who don’t make the Gulls roster will be assigned to the team’s ECHL affiliate in Salt Lake City.


EXHIBITION GAMES

The Gulls will play two preseaon games against Ontario, which is an affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. The teams will meet at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario on Oct. 2. Tickets for the game, priced from $6-$33, go on sale Monday through the Ontario front office at (909) 941-7825, the Citizens Bank Arena Box office at (909) 244-5000 or AXS.com. The teams will play again Oct. 5 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Tickets and parking are complimentary for that game and all 17,000 seats were snapped up over a four-day period two weeks ago.

PRACTICES

The Gulls’ practice facility is under construction in Poway, although it might not be ready in time for the team to use it in late September. The contingency plan is to use the ice at the Valley View Casino Center and/or other ice available around town when there are other events at the arena. Practices will be open to the public, although details still need to be worked out for practices held at the arena.


“We would welcome the public,” Ferguson said. “We’re a new team coming in, we’re excited and I’m sure the fans are just as excited. Any chance they get to see our team helps build the excitement.”

THE ROSTER

Much of the Gulls roster will be determined on who is released to out of the Anaheim camp. In July, the Gulls did sign five players -- right wing Matthew Berry, goalie Ryan Faragher, center Antoine Laganiere, left wing Bryan Moore and center Kyle MacKinnon. Everyone received one-year contracts but MacKinnion, who got a two-year deal. Berry was signed out of Michigan State. Moore also awaits his professional debut after playing last year for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL. Faragher, Laganiere and MacKinnon all played in the AHL last year, two of them with the Norfolk Admirals and MacKinnon with the St. John’s IceCaps.

FAN EVENTS


The Gulls are hosting a block party on Sept. 5 from noon to 5 p.m. at Quartyard San Diego that will include food and music and give fans a chance to purchase merchandise and meet head coach Dallas Eakins and his staff. Tickets for the event are $10 presale ($20 at the door) and for the military and may be purchased at gullsblockparty.simpletix.com. ... The team also has plans for an official jersey unveiling in early September as well as an event when the ice goes in at the arena and a pep rally, among other events to build fan interest.