Posted on Fri, Oct. 16, 2009

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Bilodeau mixes and matches for Thunder opener

BY KOLLEN LONG

The Wichita Eagle

Late Thursday afternoon, coach Brent Bilodeau's white board was filled with musings as he mixed and matched player combinations.

"It looks like General Patton's war board," Bilodeau said with a chuckle.

What finally emerged was a tentative plan for lines to be used in tonight's season opener against the visiting Amarillo Gorillas.

The game will be the 18th and final home opener to be played in the Kansas Coliseum. In January, the Thunder will move to Intrust Bank Arena.

Jason Duda, the franchise leader in nearly every offensive category, is expected to be on a line with center Glenn Detulleo and rookie right wing Brent Ottman.

Detulleo, a seventh-year pro, was a point-a-game player in the International Hockey League the past two seasons. Ottman, 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, scored 31 points in 26 games in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League last year.

"Obviously, the skill level and the hockey sense is tremendous," Bilodeau said of the line. "And Brent Ottman adds a little juice."

Joel Hanson, the Thunder's rookie of the year last season, will be on a line with Mike Kneeland, who may be this season's impact rookie. Damian Surma, who has 260 points in 398 career games, will center the line.

Troy Ofukany, Brad Thompson, Mike Batovanja and Brandon Kaleniecki remain for another line.

Bilodeau said he expects to switch the lines up frequently.

"We'll mix and match," he said. "There are just so many possibilities this year, which I didn't have at all last year."

Notes — Three players will start the season on injure reserve: rookie Chris Trafford, and defensemen Jordan Little and Chris Kovalcik.... In a competitive training camp battle between rookies, Scott Campbell won the back-up goalie job. Jamie Gilbert was waived on Thursday. "It was a close call," Bilodeau said. "The only difference was that Campbell is maybe a little more poised, a little more ready for that second shot."... No. 1 goalie Tim Boron has been battling illness, but he is expected to start tonight. The Thunder is 10-5-2 in season openers.... The Thunder was 20-41-3 last year; Amarillo was 19-42-3.... The Thunder won both its exhibition games against Missouri. Amarillo lost 7-2 and 7-3 to Rapid City it its exhibitions.

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