September is upon us and that means the migration north for many is underway. Players have started taking part in informal skates in Edmonton (more on that in a bit) and the air is a bit cooler and crisper.

Just kidding, it’s 107 in the shade.

But, it is good to see familiar faces back on the ice. Even if that means that summer is rapidly ending and the window to play golf is dwindling.

You may want the cooler temps, and that’s fine, but as I’ll remind you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want.

Now for the blog…

I told you last week that I would deliver some specialty jersey scoops and the blog delivered. The team will wear a special 25th Anniversary pre-game warmup jersey all season long, based off the the original 1998 Condors dark jersey. They will hit the ice in game with the jersey at the team’s Fan Appreciation Night on April 15.

Your company can sponsor the jersey too. Pretty cool way to get involved and have your logo featured on a player’s game jersey. Click here to check out the options.

Had a great time yesterday with team president Matt Riley and Luke Esposito on the Our Two Cents podcast. The episode will be released next week, but it was great to chat about the upcoming season. Luke had some awesome stories about working with the Junior Condors and now the Bakersfield Roughnecks programs. The Roughnecks started camp this week and are coached by former Condor Paul Willett. Luke and Brayden Watts have been out helping with practices and getting some of their own conditioning work in.

Caught up with Phil Kemp yesterday. He’s one of a number of players already on the ice in Edmonton getting ready for training camp. Just so happens he’s the resident Mets fan on the team, which naturally brought up the Edwin Diaz intro last night. Is there anything better? Sidenote though: why is everyone on their phones? Enjoy the moment people.

Vinny Desharnais was the feature of an article on the Oilers site this week. What an easy guy to root for. He means a ton to the organization and his development into a top AHL d-man, pushing for an NHL job has been a real plus for the team.

Dmitri Samorukov is back healthy after an injury ended his solid 2021-22 prematurely. He’s in that mix of Condors d-men from last year who are on the cusp of full-time work in Edmonton. It will be a good problem to have throughout the year with that group continuing to get better.

And since we can’t go a week without a food mention, welcome to California Fish Grill as one of our newest partners. Sign me up for the Cajun Shrimp Taco combo.

Finally, here’s your scoop for next week: I have jury duty (I think?). So we may be blogging live from Kern County Superior. I refuse to let it affect my defense of the Condors Fantasy Football title. Stay tuned.

Until next time Condorstown…

Ryan Holt aka Holty is the Voice of the Condors in his 12th season. He’s taking Notre Dame to beat Ohio State, because why not? Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty for more nonsense or shoot him an e-mail to RHolt@Bakersfieldcondors.com with questions, comments, or blog ideas.