CALGARY, AB — When the Calgary Roughnecks decided to make some big changes to their roster this summer, their transition group felt the effects.
While retaining Transition Player of the Year Nominee Karsen Leung, Curtis Manning, Dan MacRae, and Peter McFetridge, the team said their goodbye to star face-off man Geoff Snider and former first round picks Tor Reinholdt and Travis Cornwall.
The major loss comes in the form of face-offs.
Which players will take over in the face-off circle? Well, if the Riggers latest pre-season tilt gives any insight into the decision, it will likely be Curtis Manning.
Manning took 24 of the 31 draws and was successful on only 10, but the Roughnecks pressure defence routinely helped take the ball right back. Manning, MacRae, and Leung combined for 10 of the team’s 21 forced turnovers in the contest.
With Peter McFetridge set to start the season on the IR, the Roughnecks bolstered the transition group.
On December 28th, Calgary and the Buffalo Bandits agreed to swap Mitch de Snoo for Brandon Goodwin.
Goodwin, the ninth overall selection in the 2014 draft, played in 10 games for the Bandits in 2015. He netted three goals and assisted on four others while scooping 17 loose balls and forced two turnovers.
While it is a late addition to the roster, Goodwin will likely be on the opening day roster for the Roughnecks. It may take a few games for Goodwin to adjust to Calgary’s style of play and his teammates.
MacRae, Leung, McFetridge, and Manning were near the top of the Roughnecks in loose balls with 68, 79, 28, and 72 respectively.
Also, they were near the top in caused turnovers. Manning lead all Riggers with 27, MacRae was second with 23, while McFetridge and Leung had a solid 12 to their names.
With the core group returning and the addition of Goodwin, the Roughnecks transition group is in good shape coming into the 2016 season.
