The off season brings a chance for rest and reflection by Condors players for a glimpse at all that transpired during their exceptional season; here are some thoughts of two prominent Condors, team captain Sean Venedam and head coach Marty Raymond.

Venedam - "We started a little bit slow out of the gate like we have in the last few seasons. We didn't worry about it much because we knew we would bounce back like we always do and have great success in the second half of the season. A major turning point for us came during our big road trip in March. We had great success on the trip, but for the most part we played teams that were inferior to us, which is a reason we started a little slower than we wanted in the playoffs. We thought were a lot better than we were and unfortunately needed two losses in the first two games to finally wake us up.

"It was great to come back and beat Fresno after losing the first two games, but the Alaska series still stings. We have a lot more to do in the off season both as individuals and as a team. As I have previously stated, our job isn't done until we bring the Kelly Cup to Bakersfield and we intend on doing that next season."

Raymond - "Overall we had a good season. Not to make excuses, but if not for injuries we probably would have battled like last year (to a Game 7) to get to the third round of the playoffs, but without Balan and Griffith and having Bolduc called up was a big blow to us.

"We're going to have to make some tough decisions, some guys have been here for a while, but we're going to get some new blood. There's going to be some familiar faces back but we're going to get some new faces. If you don't win a championship you try to re-adjust your aim to go farther. We have to find a way to get a little better."

The Condors would like to thank all the fans in Condorstown for truly being the extra skater on the ice this season and helping break numerous attendance records in the process!

This season's overall attendance of 239,032 was the second highest ever in Condorstown. Additionally, the Condors lead the ECHL in playoff average attendance at 5,700 fans per game. The franchise also had four of the top-10 attended games in Condors history this season!

Nov. 25, 2006: 8,743 (Teddy Bear Toss) - fourth largest crowd in franchise history

Feb. 24, 2007: 8,328 (Youth Jersey Giveaway) - sixth largest crowd in franchise history

Mar. 23, 2007: 8,325 (Cap Giveaway) - seventh largest crowd in franchise history

Mar. 17, 2007: 8,292 (Spongebob Squarepants/St. Patty's Day Jerseys) - eighth largest crowd in franchise history

The Condors organization and players appreciate everything the fans have done for us and look forward to another record-breaking season in 2007-08!

The Condors front office and team store will be closed on Friday, May 11 in honor of Mother's Day. The office will re-open on Monday, May 14 at 8:30 a.m.

The Condors' Mailbag has been integrated into the Condors website as a way to answer questions regarding the team, front office and organization. The coaches and front office will answer all relative questions. If you'd like to ask a question or check out some other questions the Condors' Mailbag is displayed on the Condors homepage.

From Chris:
As I said to Matt Riley as I was walking from my seat (April 28) "thank you". The Condors had a remarkable season this year and while it didn't end like we'd hope you can all hold your heads up high as you didn't fall to the level of the opponents. First the manhandling of Bolduc by Fresno and the mugging the Aces gave Griffith in Game 4, you took the high road. Thank you Marty, Mark and the team. Thank you for a lot of fun and excitement. Take a well deserved break, regroup and let's get back on this. I can't understand why any team wouldn't want to be affiliated with the top-notch organization in the ECHL. Thanks again for a great year!!!!!!!

Mailbag Response:
Thank you Chris for your support and all of our other great fans. I can't properly express how proud I am of our team. Our players are excellent role models by taking the high road indeed! Wins and losses are forgotten, but character is always remembered.

Matthew Riley, President

The Kelly Cup Playoffs have come down to four teams: the Alaska Aces, Idaho Steelheads, Florida Everblades and Dayton Bombers. These teams will battle it out to determine who will be the Kelly Cup Champion.

Alaska Aces vs. Idaho Steelheads - National Conference Finals
After Tuesday's 3-2, overtime win in Alaska, Idaho has taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the National Conference Finals. In 2004, the Steelheads defeated the Aces in the division finals on their way to becoming only the second expansion team in history to win the ECHL championship. It is the third consecutive trip to the conference finals for the Aces and the second trip for the Steelheads. Last season, the Aces beat Fresno in seven games to advance to the Kelly Cup Finals, where they beat Gwinnett in five games. In 2004-05, Alaska fell in seven games to the eventual champion Trenton Titans.

Florida Everblades vs. Dayton Bombers - American Conference Finals
After Tuesday's 4-3, triple overtime win in Florida, Dayton has taken a 1-0 lead in the North Division Finals. Dayton became only the third ECHL team in 19 years to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a series, when they defeated Cincinnati on May 3, in Game 7 of the North Division Finals. The Florida Everblades advanced to the conference finals on May 4, with a Game 6 overtime win over the Texas Wildcatters. Last season Dayton failed to make the playoffs, while the Everblades were eliminated in the American Conference Finals by Gwinnett.

The Bakersfield Dragons Youth Hockey Team is looking for a new head coach of the Bantam (14-and- under) group. For more information, click here.

All Full Season and Weekender Ticket holders who purchased extended playoff tickets will have their credits cards charged for a total of 2 games (Round 2 Home Game 1, April 27; and Round 2 Home Game 2, April 28).

All Baker's Dozen, Pick-6 and 4-Pack Mini Plan Holders who purchased playoff tickets will have their credit cards charged for all five postseason games that were played. Pricing that follows is the amount that will be charged to each card per seat and location:

Round 1 - (3 Games)
Club - $66
Glass - $57
Rinkside - $54
Executive - $42
Mezzanine - $36
Terrace - $27
Terrace Sr/Yth - $15

Round 2 - (2 Games)
Club - $46
Glass - $40
Rinkside - $38
Executive - $30
Mezzanine - $26
Terrace - $20
Terrace Sr/Yth - $12

For those fans that purchased single-game tickets for the Monday, April 30 playoff game versus Alaska (Round 2 Home Game 3) you may request a refund for the tickets by:

Calling 661-322-2525 if you purchased the tickets through the automated Ticketmaster phone system or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Visiting the Rabobank Arena Box office if you purchased the tickets through the box office

Call us at 324-PUCK (7825) if you have any questions.

Being a fan of your favorite team is a lot of fun. But very few of us can actually make a living out of it. Cameron Hughes decided it was worth a try, and now he's reaping the rewards of one of the most unusual career choices anyone would ever consider.

Hughes considers himself the Condors most enthusiastic fan. Many of the you in Condorstown have probably wrestled for one of the shirts he's thrown into the crowd or been in a section where he's started the wave. The idea of being a "Super Fan," a moniker he no longer goes by, came to him in 1994 when Hughes got up out of his seat at an Ottawa Senators game and started to pump up the fans in an inspired frenzy. What started out as a joke soon turned into a full-time career.

"I started dancing in college and I was the only person to make a living out of dancing like an idiot," Hughes said. "But it's worth doing. I love Condorstown and I have a blast with the great crowds. I would definitely call this place my second home."

Dancing and amusing has always been an important aspect in Hughes' life as he learned at a very young age that "life is short." "My mother passed away from breast cancer when I was very young," said Hughes. "That's a big reason I enjoy helping charities and fundraising events for teams.

"I just do what I enjoy. I try to make others lives more enjoyable. I feel like Bono when working a crowd and it's amazing."

Hughes gives credit to the Condors for jump- starting his career that has gained such stardom he's scheduled to be an upcoming guest on "The Tonight Show, with Jay Leno."

Look for Hughes during the Condors 2007-08, 10th Anniversary Season as he once again brings excitement and fun to The Nest. For more information, visit Hughes' web site at http ://www.mynameiscameronhughes.com.

The Condors would like to recognize Wells Fargo for their third year of sponsorship with the Condors. Wells Fargo is one of the key sponsors of the annual "Teddy Bear Toss" event held in November.

"Wells Fargo is very proud of their sponsorship with the Condors," said Community Bank President Ed Taylor. "The Condors are connected to the community in showing their commitment to working hard and to achieving great success through their community outreach activities and events. At Wells Fargo, we want to do the same for our customers by helping them achieve financial success as well."

Wells Fargo has been around for over 155 years, helping customers succeed financially. With over 13 banking offices to serve the residents of Kern County, they have the products, services, and experts that can help customers get on the right track. Stop by a Wells Fargo office to see how they can help you or log onto www.wellsfargo.com for additional information.

Season Ticket Holders, don't forget to have your picture taken at the Condors front office when you renew for the 2007-08, 10th anniversary season. The pictures will be featured on the Season Ticket Holder web page as a way of showing all the great fans that support the Condors. To see pictures of the newest group of renewals, click here.

The great fans in Condorstown helped break plenty of new community records this season, making it one of the most successful in team history. Here is a list of what was accomplished.

Nov. 7, 2006: Eighth Annual Charity Golf Tournament raised new record of $8,000, up from $3,000 previous year.

Nov. 14, 2006: Condors Field Trip Day welcomed more than 5,200 students to a Condors game, beating last year's record of 3,500 students.

Feb. 13, 2007: Seventh Annual Tip-A-Condor raised new record of $23,489, to benefit the Kern County Shrine Club

Feb. 17, 2007: Third Annual Hockey-Thon raised more than three times the amount from the previous year at $61,283.

Mar. 17, 2007: Andrew Oke's St. Patrick's Day Jersey raised new record of $5,200 for an individual jersey, beating Kevin St. Jacques 2006 Veteran's Day Jersey that sold for $5,100.

Condors Kids Club nearly doubled in members from previous year, with more than 360 members.

Jersey Off Our Back Auctions raised a new combined record of $97,200 this season.

Condors donated more than 10,000 tickets to local students for excelling in academics, behavior and attendance. Up from 8,000 last season.

The Condors adopted their first stretch of land this season for the City of Bakersfield's "Adopt-A-Highway" program on Ming Ave. between Gosford and Calloway behind the Market Place.

Condors gave more Big Buddies tickets out this season than any other at nearly 3,000 tickets, thanks to businesses that purchased them.

DARE graduates in Kern County received 10,000 tickets for completing the DARE program, up from 7,000 tickets distributed last year.

October to April was an exciting time for all in Condorstown, and now that the on-ice season has ended, there is much to be accomplished during the summer. The next couple of months hold many promising activities for the Condors as they continue to make visits to kids, support local charities and plan for an awesome 2007-08 season. Thank you for all your support this season and look for your Condors in the community all summer long. To stay up-to-date check out our event calendar at http://www.bakersfieldcondors.com/ under the heading "Condorstown."

The Condors Team Store will remain open during the summer months to pick up Condors merchandise! Items still available from this season include, Condors replica jersey shirts, ECHL playoff pucks, player trading cards, Jamie Hodson replica goalie masks, the "Wipe Up The Falcons" toilet paper and much more! The store is located at 1022 Truxtun Ave. across from Rabobank Arena and is open 11:30 a.m.- 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

For more information or to browse through some of the Condors great clothing and memorabilia, visit the Condors team store at www.condorsteamstore.com or call 661-324- NETT (6388).

Todd Griffith's 26 goals this season is the most by a Condors rookie (Franchise record is 36 by Steve Dowhy in 1996-97 with the Fog)

Kevin Truelson's 17 goals this season is the most ever by a Condors defenseman, and his 51 total points were the second most ever (Briane Thompson had 59 in 1999-00)

Jamie Hodson's three shutouts this season tied for third most with Yutaka Fukufuji (Record is four by Scott Hay, 2001-02 and Kevin St. Pierre, 2002-03)

Hodson is the fifth goaltender in Bakersfield history to record 20-or-more wins in one season, and set a personal best with 29

Brett Lutes is the 10th player in Bakersfield history to record 30-or-more goals in a season, and he was the first to score at least 30 since Jamie Cooke in 2002-03

Lutes is also the 10th player in Bakersfield history to record multiple hat tricks in one season

Kevin St. Jacques is the seventh player in Bakersfield history to record 50 assists in one season, and has either led or shared the team lead in that category the last three seasons

email: condors@bakersfieldcondors.com

phone: 661.324.PUCK (7825)

web: http://www.bakersfieldcondors.com