It's been a busy month of July in Condorstown, with five more players agreeing to terms with the team. Another pair of players from last year are returning, as goaltender Jamie Hodson (July 3) and defenseman Scott Balan (July 11) committed to returning. They were joined by three newcomers, including rookie defensemen Tamás Lencsés (July 11) and Tyler Noye (July 19), as well as forward Eric Sonnenberg (July 19). The Condors now have 10 players on the roster, including four forwards, five defensemen and one goalie.

Raymond on Hodson Signing

Raymond on Balan & Lencsés

Raymond on Noye & Sonnenberg

To view the up-to-date Condors roster click here.

While seven players from last year are returning to The Nest, there are many that will be playing elsewhere. We wish them well both on and off the ice wherever they go. Among the notables who have recently departed:

Josh Liebenow leaves on Sunday for the ETC Crimmitschau Ice Pirates in Germany. "The fans in Bakersfield were unbelievable, I can't thank them enough, " Liebenow said. "I've never been to Europe, and it's a chance to experience another style of hockey. Plus, I'll get to play with my former Condors teammate Dave Bonk."

Tyler Scott is headed to the Grenoble Wolf Burners in France. "It's a great opportunity, a chance to try something new and see the world," Scott said. "It was tough deciding to leave. I'll miss my teammates, and I know the fans over there won't be the same as the great ones in Bakersfield."

Kevin Truelson will hit the ice with the Iserlohn Roosters in Germany. "I wanted to play in as high a league as possible and challenge myself, and the DEL gives me that chance," Truelson said. "I had two great years with Bakersfield and take nothing but good memories with me."

Alexandre Bolduc has re-signed with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.

Ever read an article or listen to an announcer and think he doesn't know what he's talking about? Well, now you can do something about it. Cast your vote in the latest edition of the SHOOTOUT, a new weekly feature in which broadcasters Jake Stevens and Jeremy Zager duke it out on a topic and let you voice your opinion, deciding who's right and who's wrong. While you're there, also check out Stevens' latest posting in Snake Bytes and Zager's in Zags' Bag. And don't forget about former Condors All-Star defenseman Glen Mears, who wrote about his 35th birthday in the latest edition of Mears' Minutes.

Condors fans, we're always looking for your input, and our weekly web polls give you a chance to help us make decisions. Recently, you helped choose what our slogan/theme should be for the upcoming season, as well as what our 10th Anniversary logo should look like. Check out this week's poll on our homepage and help us decide which specialty jersey the Condors should wear in 2007-08. How about an Elvis tribute jersey, or maybe one geared to those of you who ride Harleys? Let us know today!

Next week's poll will ask you about some cool new giveaway items for the upcoming season, so make sure to come back and vote again!

(For those of you curious about what we do during the offseason)

July 7, 1998 - Bakersfield Fog renamed the Bakersfield Condors
The Fog, members of the West Coast Hockey League played in the Bakersfield Convention Center from 1995-96 through 1997-98.

July 7, 2005 - Mark Pederson officially named Condors Assistant Coach
Pederson is entering his third season as Bakersfield's Coach. The former NHLer was given a one-year contract extension in May and will remain with the Condors through at least the 2008-09 season.

July 16, 1998 - Kevin MacDonald named first head coach in Condors history
MacDonald was Bakersfield's head coach for three seasons (1998-99 through 2000-01) and led the Condors to a franchise best 11-game winning streak to start the 1999-00 season.

July 18, 2002 - Condors President Matthew Riley named WCHL Acting Commissioner
Riley, who's been with the organization since 1997, played a large role in the WCHL's teams transition into the ECHL in 2003.

July 23, 1998 - Matthew Riley named General Manager
Riley, who was just named the 2006-07 ECHL Executive of the Year, joined the organization late in 1997. He currently serves on the ECHL Board of Directors and Executive Committee and is the ECHL Vice-Chairman.

July 26, 1999 - Paul Willett and Paul Rosebush signed
Willett, the Condors' all-time leading scorer with 388 points, played five seasons with Bakersfield and was named WCHL MVP in 1999-00. Rosebush, who played six full seasons with the Condors, has played the most games in Bakersfield history (416).

In conjunction with the Condors upcoming 10th Anniversary Season, we'll be shining the spotlight on some of the Condors legends from past years. For this inaugural edition of "Blast from the Past," we caught up with Paul Willett, currently the Hockey Manager at the Bakersfield Ice Sports Center. He's the Condors all-time leader in points and assists, and is second in goals scored.

Of course, one goal in particular stands out for him and probably most of you. It was the overtime game-winner against San Diego in Game 3 of the 2001-02 Southern Division Semifinal series in front of the Bakersfield faithful at Centennial Garden. Here's his take on it:

"It seemed like we played the Gulls every year," Willett said. "They were always the favorites, we were always the underdogs. After losing the first two games, we had to have the third game at home. As I recall, it was a broken play, and as I crossed the blue line, I just took a shot, and somehow it trickled through (Trevor) Koenig. A lot of times the goals in OT are junk goals or not so pretty, but the bottom line is it went in, and it was great to win it in front of our fans."

The ECHL announced last week that its 25 member teams donated a combined $2.8 million to charitable organizations and relief funds throughout the 2006-07 season, including $1.2 million in monetary donations.

That means the Condors, who raised $470,000 alone, contributed nearly 17 percent to the total league-wide amount. In the last two seasons, Bakersfield has donated more than $875,000 to charity, close to 18 percent of the $5 million raised league-wide.

The Condors and Goodwill Industries will be in Lake Isabella this Friday for the second stop in the summer Care-A-Van. Sean Venedam, mascot Colonel Claw'd and members of the front office will visit Kelley's Café, located at 6627 Wofford Heights Blvd, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the South Fork "Kids Day Camp," located at 5225 Kelso Valley Road, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Come visit the Condors at either location to drop off your donations, get an autograph from one of your favorite players and take a whack in the Condors Slapshot. If you'd like to see the Condors Care-A-Van visit an outer lying community where you live or work, contact the Condors community relations department at 324- PUCK (7825) or e-mail Director of Communications and Community Services Jeremy Zager at jzager@bakersfieldcondors.com.

Former Condor Andrew Oke's second career as a golfer saw him head to Royal Ashburn Golf Club in Ashburn, Ontario this past Monday, July 23. He was attempting to qualify for the Canadian Open, the national championship of golf in Canada, which begins Thursday in Markham, Ontario. Only four players out of the qualifying field of 156 earned spots in the tournament. Unfortunately, Andrew shot a 78 (six over par), which left him tied for 78th place.

The Condors are in the midst of producing a 10th Anniversary Season DVD and we need your help! If you have any Oilers, Fog or Condors player, team, arena, event photos, etc, that you think could be used for this project, contact the front office at 324-PUCK (7825). You can send us a copy to 1001 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA. 93301 (care of Ryan Hanson). Or you can e-mail a digital copy to rhanson@bakersfieldcondors.com. All items will be returned.

Melo's Gas & Gear and the Condors are partnering for the second straight year in 2007-08. During intermissions, you may have noticed the in- arena blimp, which is sponsored and fueled by Melo's Gas & Gear.

Melo's has an extensive offering of products, including welding machines, welding accessories, welding gases, specialty gases, hand tools, power tools, abrasives and much more. They repair all major brands of Wire Feed Machines, Portable Welding Machines, Tig Machines and Plasma Equipment along with most associated equipment.

"We're very happy to continue our partnership with the Condors," owner David Melo said. "Obviously the Condors are a big name in Bakersfield and we love the exposure, but we also really appreciate their community presence. The Condors give so much back to the community and we try to do that as well, so it was just a natural fit for us."

Melo's Gas & Gear is located at 4580 State Road. Click here for more information or contact them directly at 387-6800.

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.

Q: I'm probably going to catch all kinds of heck for this, but I just wanted to tell you that I am a Fresno Falcons fan, from Visalia, but your website is one I frequently visit because it is so much fun!! I love all the new blogs, and the old ones too, and the website itself is just set up nicely and is very informative for us hockey fans. Keep up the good work, and you'll keep plenty of visitors coming to your site!!!!!

Sheila

Mailbag Response: Sheila, thank you very much for the kind words. We take great pride in making our website as accessible and interactive as possible for all fans, even ones in Fresno! Can't wait for the season to start, go Condors!!!!

Jeremy Zager
Director of Communications and Community Services

But the only way to get one is to become a NEW season ticket holder. Supplies are limited so make sure you sign up before it's too late. All new season ticket holders are eligible to receive a Condors Duffle Bag with a 50 percent deposit, while they're still in stock.

Season ticket packages start at six games and expand to include up to all 36 games. Call us at 324-PUCK (7825) to secure your seats today.

The Condors are now accepting sign-ups to be a part of an exciting 10th Anniversary Season Kids Club. Members 12-and-under can join for an early bird special of $20, through Sept. 1. Kids Club members will receive a Kids Club T-shirt and ID badge, meet-the-team opportunities and exclusive prizes provided by the Bakersfield Californian, Bright House Networks and Wells Fargo Bank. Members will also have free access to the Flashco Kids Zone at all home games. Sign-up online at Condorskids.com or stop by the Condors front office, located at 1001 Truxtun Ave.

Matt Kato - July 20
Sean Venedam - July 31
Ryan Hanson - Aug. 2
Josh Liebenow - Aug. 8

email: condors@bakersfieldcondors.com

phone: 661.324.PUCK (7825)

web: http://www.bakersfieldcondors.com