Communiqués de Presse

That's what fans are saying. There was extreme disappointment during the playoffs. having showed so much promise in round 1, the River Rats fizzled through the remaining rounds. "We wondered if we had used to much of our energy during the regular season," the coaching staff said in a letter to the press. "Apparently, we did." Leaving fans to wonder what will happen this season.

"Our goal, as always, is to put the best team we can on the ice every night. We have done that every season since Coach took over the team. We will do that again this season." And, there is evidence to back up that claim. On paper, the team boosted every positional area starting at the end of the season. At defense, the team added Nick Horst, an experienced veteran, and relative newcomers Jan Žďárský and Kristián Homola. Up front the team added Ján Krivosudský on wing and Frank Steinmueller at center, both bringing some needed experience. They also added rookie wingers Leonid Kuklachev and Josef Hesse. Finally, the team added a powerhouse rookie goalie prospect, Ladislav Sýkora.

leaving the issue of how much training and conditioning these newcomers will need, it gives fans much to wonder about. It also gives them something to be excited about.

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