Breaking Down the 2017-18 Tucson Roadrunners
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Even though it has only been a year since the start of the Tucson Roadrunner’s inaugural season, there has been a lot of change for the squad. Heading into the 2017-18 season, the team has added 14 new players to the roster and replaced their coaching staff.
In order to be successful this season, the Roadrunners need their returning forwards to generate more offense this time around, their defensemen to continue to bring a heavy, more hard-hitting game, and for the goalies to stand firm in net.
Here's a look at the 2017-18 Tucson Roadrunners.
KEY DEPARTURES
While a number of players left the team, there are two players who are no longer on the Roadrunners that impacted play more than any others last season.
The first is Christian Fischer, who made the Coyotes 23-man roster this season. Fischer was called up to the Coyotes on two separate occasions last season, and in both incidents the offense suffered. Last season, Fischer found himself excelling in a faster, heavier hitting environment than the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He said it was the type of game he was meant to play.
Fischer scored 47 points in 57 games, 20 of which were goals. He'll also remain in the Roadrunners’ record books forever, recording the first hat trick in the franchise's history. He also represented the Roadrunners as rookie in the All-Star Game.
The other player who will be missed this season is Chris Mueller. When Craig Cunningham had to step back from being captain, it was Chris Mueller who stepped up in his absence and helped lead/counsel the younger players. His presence on the ice was just as strong as it was off the ice. He fell just short of a point-per-game season, ending the year with 67 points in 68 games which included 19 goals and 48 assists. He was often used on the top line to help transition players to the NHL level. Brendan Perlini, Christian Fischer and Anthony Duclair all played on a line with Mueller before making the jump to the Coyotes. Muller is an offensive force and a leader that the Roadrunners almost certainly will miss this season.
COACHES
Instead of Mark Lamb returning behind the bench for the Roadrunners this season, Mike Van Ryn will take the reigns of the AHL team and will be joined by assistant coaches John Slaney and Steve Potvin.
Van Ryn is not new to the Coyotes franchise or the Tucson organization. In 2016-17 he joined the Coyotes staff as a Development Coach and he oversaw amateur player development, also working closely with Tucson. He has eight years NHL experience under his belt and previously served as head coach of the Kitchener Rangers (OHL).
While Lamb helped coach two offensive talents in forwards Christian Fischer and Brendan Perlini to the NHL, there is no reason to think that Van Ryn can’t pick up where he left off and continue to be successful and grow NHL talent in Tucson.
FORWARDS
The Roadrunners added eight new forwards to deepen their offensive depth. Some, like Scottsdale-native Zac Larraza were offseason acquisitions while others - like Nick Merkley - are players in the Coyotes system who have aged out of junior hockey. Here’s a breakdown of the forwards.
Conor Garland #8 – This will be Garland’s second season with the Roadrunners in the AHL. After posting 129 and 128 points respectively in his last two years in the QMJHL, he was seen as a hot prospect by many. However he had a rather lackluster performance in the AHL last season only scoring 14 points in 55 games and being healthy scratched on a few occasions. Listed as 5’8”, his smaller stature doesn’t help Garland out in puck battles in the dirty areas of the ice, but there is no reason he can’t work to find an offensive groove this season. Especially playing along side someone like Ryan MacInnis.
Mike Sislo #9- Sislo is an off-season acquisition, having split the 2016-17 season between the San Antonio Rampage and Toronto Marlies. This season will be his eighth season since breaking into the league with the Albany Devils for three games in 2010-11. While Sislo has made three separate appearances in the NHL, he only has 5 career NHL points in 42 games. His most productive AHL season came 2 years ago where he posted almost a point per game (53 points in 57 games) for the Albany Devils. Since 2013-14, the 29-year-old has been good for an average of 40 points in the AHL and he will provide a good veteran presence for the Roadrunners as well as decent offensive production. He will serve as one of four rotating alternate captains.
Tyler Gaudet #10- Gaudet is re-joining the Roadrunners for the second year in a row after being re-signed by the Coyotes in the offseason. After a couple of appearances with the NHL club, Gaudet posted four points in 20 games. Through his four seasons in the AHL, Gaudet has not been an offensive power house but he did step up as a strong leader for the Roadrunners in the wake of Craig Cunningham’s collapse. However, it is somewhat suprising that Gaudet will not wear a letter for the club this season.
Artur Tyanulin #13- Coming straight from the Ottawa 67’s, Tyanulin will look to transition his game from the OHL to the stronger, faster, harder game at the AHL level. Finishing his junior career with 85 points in 67 games, the Russian forward will hopefully be able to put up some nice offensive numbers in the games he plays for the Roadrunners. There seems to be some concern with his defensive game, so Tyanulin is undrafted and currently on a PTO.
Zac Larraza #16- Larraza will no doubt gain some fans in the desert purely for being a Scottsdale native. However, many fans might also remember the forward from when the Coyotes drafted him 196th overall in the seventh round of the 2011 draft. Ultimately, Larraza did not stick in the Coyotes system. He spent four years at the University of Denver, completing an NCAA career, before making the jump to pro-hockey in the ECHL with the Manchester Monarchs before being loaned to three separate AHL teams in 2015-16. Now entering the 2017-18 season, Larraza finds himself returning to the state he’s called home with a second chance at making an impression.
Lane Pederson #18- Currently on an ELC with the Coyotes, Pederson joins the Roadrunners fresh from the WHL where he played with the Swift Current Broncos. At 6-foot, 190 lbs, he brings a bit more size down the middle for the Coyotes. More likely than not a depth player who can consistently produce, Pederson will be tasked with transitioning his game and show a heavily OHL-based team that the WHL can provide some talent to their farm system.
Jens Lööke #24- Having spent his entire career overseas and mostly in Sweden, Lööke will be playing his first year in the AHL this season. He was drafted by the Coyotes 83rd overall in the 3rd round of the 2015 Draft. His play-making abilities and puck-handling skills are what made him appealing to the organization. In addition to that, his passing game is one to be admired and should drastically help improve an area that the Roadrunners struggled in last season.
Michael Bunting #27- This is a contract year for Bunting. At the end of his third season in the AHL, his ELC with the Coyotes will have finished. Drafted from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Bunting has never been an offensive powerhouse. However, he has been improving over the past two seasons he’s spent in the AHL and handled his own last year when playing on the top line with forwards that have since transitioned to the NHL. It would be a safe bet that Bunting continues to increase his offensive game and spends time on in Tucson's top-six this season.
Scott Allen #29- This will be Scott Allen’s first year with the Roadrunners, and his second in the AHL. While he averaged close to a point per game in 2015-16 in the ECHL, he only managed 19 points in 57 games with the Bakersfield Condors last season. Allen will most likely be a filler on the roster, but one with at least a little offensive prowess.
Nick Merkley #38- Merkley has a lot to prove this year. Arguably playing better than fellow first round pick Dylan Strome in their first rookie camp, Merkley’s path went a bit downhill from there. During main camp, he suffered a collarbone inury and was sent back to the WHL. Then in February 2016, while still playing for the Kelowna Rockets, Merkley tore his ACL. It took him about six months to recover from the injury, but when he came back he came back strong. In his final WHL season he put up 63 points in 63 games. Merkley had a strong rookie camp this time around, but was held pointless during main camp and sent down for his first AHL season. Best case scenario is that Merkley uses this season much like Perlini and Fischer did to up his offensive game in pro-hockey and earn himself a roster spot in the NHL.
Trevor Cheek #39- Cheek is another returner for the Roadrunners. He split his 2016-17 season between the Roadrunners and the Fort Wayne Komets in the ECHL. While he tallied almost a point per game in the ECHL, he struggled offensively in the AHL with only 4 assists in 23 games. He seems to be off to a better start this year, but don’t expect anything amazing this season from Cheek.
Michael Latta #46- Once a promising young member of the Washington Capitals, Latta split last season between the Ontario Reign and the Rockford IceHogs. With 113 NHL games on his resume, the forward has not been able to find his offensive groove for a long time. He scored 22 points in 61 games last season combined between the two clubs. He plays a heavy hit style with his game and works hard around the boards. Latta was placed in a leadership role this season and will serve as an rotating alternate captain.
Ryan MacInnis #72- One of the last few prospects cut from Coyotes main camp, MacInnis has been looked to to be an offensive powerhouse but fell short in his first AHL season. With only 17 points in 68 games, MacInnis struggled to find the offensive drive he displayed in his last year with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers - a season he tallied 81 points in 59 games. At 6’4”, 191 lbs, MacInnis has the tools to make a push to be in the Roadrunners’ top six this season and pave an upward trajectory offensively.
Dylan Strome #91- The Coyotes took a chance at a true center when they drafted Dylan Strome over Mitch Marner 3rd overall in the 2015 draft. Since then, the one thing that Strome has lacked more than anything is consistency. After a seven game stint with the NHL club last season, Strome tallied only one assist and was returned to the OHL’s Erie Otters. It was a disappointment to fans who wanted to see Strome in the NHL that season. However, Strome continued his dominance of the OHL and scored 75 points in 35 games. His teams ultimately lost both the Memorial Cup and World Juniors. Heading into main camp this season, it seemed Strome was set to be on the roster for a stretch of time. Except after two lack luster games, head coach Rich Tocchet needed more consistency from the forward and he was sent down to the AHL. Don’t panic about Strome just yet. Both Perlini and Fischer needed some time in the AHL to be able to carry their offensive game to the NHL. This time in a developmental league could be just the thing that Strome needs to prosper at the NHL level.
DEFENSE
There are four new defenseman on the Tucson roster, two of which are now serving as leadership for the team.
Andrew Campbell #2- Campbell has been there and done that in the AHL. Entering his 11th season in the league, Campbell will serve as Captain for the second time, and will be the second captain in Roadrunners history. The Roadrunners are one of the youngest teams in the AHL, and the veteran presence that Campbell can provide could be just what the team needs. Campbell has had a long, but not very spectacular, AHL career and will provide leadership and experience to the team more than anything.
Kyle Wood #3- After an extremely successful first AHL season that saw him score 43 points in 68 games, represent the Roadrunners in the All-Star Game and record the hardest shot there, Kyle Wood is the Coyotes highly touted defensive prospect on the AHL roster. Many people hoped Wood would make the team out of main camp this year, but with a roster stacked on defense, the Coyotes sent him down the AHL. That is a good thing as Wood should be playing top minutes and continuing to grow his 200-foot game that he continued to stress his desire to do so last season. His offensive game in developing right along side his defensive game, and Wood is becoming a real threat on both ends of the ice. Expect nothing less than a strong season from Wood before he potentially earns an NHL call-up later on.
Jalen Smereck #5- Smereck is also a promising defensive prospect who will be joining the Roadrunners for his first full pro season this year. Smereck ended his OHL career playing for the Flint Firebirds and posting 45 points in 60 games. He scored two points in his only two games with the Roadrunners at the end of last season. Look for Smereck to be a strong presence in the lineup as he continues to work on his offensive and defensive game.
Kevin Ekman-Larsson #7- While he is not quite the defensive or offensive threat his brother is, Kevin Ekman-Larsson will join the Roadrunners for his first North American pro-season. Ekman-Larsson has spent his last four seasons playing for a Tingsryds AIF team. After the loss of their mother and with his brother Oliver rumored to become captain of the Coyotes, it’s no surprise to see Kevin jump at a chance to play closer to his brother. This is not the first time Kevin has played in the desert as he has attended camp before on an invitation.
Kyle Capobianco #23- Again, Capobianco is a highly thought of prospect and rightfully so. He looked good in main camp, remaining until one of the last rounds of cuts. This season will be his first full season in the AHL. During his time in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves, Capobianco averaged 43 points per season in an average of 66 games. This season, Capobianco will need to transition to the 200ft pro-game while trying to maintain his offensive numbers and defensive game.
Dysin Mayo #37- This season will be Mayo’s second pro season. Last season, he had decent offensive numbers with Rapid City in the ECHL but those numbers were not present in the AHL as he only tallied three points in 25 games. Mayo is one of many young defenseman on the team looking to take their game to the next level this season.
Dakota Mermis #43- Mermis is back for his third AHL season. Last season, Mermis had 12 points in 67 games. This season, he will serve as one of the four rotating alternate captains. Looking to expand his role in the defensive group this season, hopefully Mermis can provide some more consistent production on the squad.
Joel Hanley #44- Joel Hanley will be the last rotating alternate captain. This season will be his fifth season in the AHL after 17 games in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens where he had 6 assists. Not an overly offensive driven defenseman Hanley has only scored at most 5 goals at the AHL level in one season. He will provide veteran presence more than anything this season.
GOALIES
Adin Hill #33 - This will be Hill’s second full AHL season. Arguably, this could be his last season in the AHL. With Louis Domingue’s contract up at the end of the year, the RFA could be let go or traded for the Coyotes if Antti Raanta is signed for another year. Hill is seen by many to hopefully be the Coyotes goalie of the future. For now ,he is developing nicely in the AHL. In his first full AHL season, the goalie posted a .906 save percentage in 40 games, many of which the Roadrunners struggled in. Hill should be the number one goalie in Tucson while Marek Langhammer is called up to the Coyotes and Hunter Miska backs up. Look for Hill to have another strong, if not better year this season. EDIT: Hill has been recalled by Arizona, while Langhammer has been reassigned to Tucson (AHL).
Hunter Miska #35- Hunter Miska is coming freshly signed from the NCAA University of Minnesota-Duluth where he posted a .920 save percentage in 39 games. He had a strong summer in Da Beauty League and a strong camp, which won him a lot of fans. However, in the first game of the year for Tucson he let in 7 goals and left with a .667 SV%. Expect him to get playing time to develop, but for him to mainly serve in a backup role.
IN THE END?
It is hard at this point to predict how the season will go for the Roadrunners. At the start of last season, the team seemed almost unstoppable at times. But then? After a long season of travel and emotional stress, the team crumpled going on losing streak after losing streak.
Just as last season, this Roadrunner’s roster has promise. There are a lot of new faces, but also quite a few returning from last year’s squad. Maybe a change in coaching is what the team needs – only time will decide.
