Gameday Blog: Mavs Open The Season in Tulsa

TULSA, Ok. – The Kansas City Mavericks kick off their 2019-20 season in the same building where their 2018-19 postseason came to an end. The Mavs and Tulsa Oilers faceoff in the first game of the 2019-20 ECHL regular season after the two teams went the distance in a seven-game playoff series in the Mountain Division Semifinal.

With a clean slate and a reinforced roster that includes several familiar faces, the Mavs will set off on their 72-game regular season marathon, looking for their first back-to-back postseason appearances in the ECHL and first consecutive visits to the posteseason since 2013 and 2014.

The official watch party location for all Mavs road games is The Blue Line in the River Market.

Tying HistoryThe 2019-20 season will be the Mavericks 11th season, tying them with the Kansas City Blades (1990-2001, International Hockey League) as the longest tenured professional hockey team in the history of Kansas City.

Top Guns ReturnThe Mavericks return their top four point producers from the 2019-20 season. Rocco Carzo (20g, 39a), Greg Betzold (25g, 31a), Darian Dziurzynski (27g, 21a) and David Dziurzynski (18g, 30a) all return for Kansas City.

New BloodWith offseason departures from offensive producers forwards Jared VanWormer, Joey Sides, Mark Cooper and defenseman Willie Raskob, the Mavericks replenished their roster with notable free agent and trade acquisitions. Michael Parks (56 points in 61 career ECHL games), speedster Jack Walker, offensive defenseman Justin Woods, veteran power forward Ryan Van Stralen.

Verhaeghe to The ShowCarter Verhaeghe became the fifth former Maverick to make his NHL debut last Thursday when he made the Tampa Bay Lightning’s opening night roster and appeared against the Florida Panthers. Verhaeghe is the Mavs all-time leader in points per game at 1.56.

Affiliation RenewedThe Mavericks renewed their NHL affiliation with the Calagary Flames and their AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat. The one-year renewal makes this the third year of the agreement, making the Flames the longest tenured NHL affiliate in Mavs history.

AHL AssignmentsThe Mavericks currently have three players under AHL contracts on the roster. Defensemen Zach Osburn and Terrance Amorosa and forward Mitch Hults are all on assignment from the Stockton Heat.

At the Next LevelThe Mavericks also currently have two players recalled to the American Hockey League. Goaltender Nick Schneider, who spent time in training camp with the Mavericks, is currently with the Stockton Heat and defenseman Cliff Watson is currently on loan with the Chicago Wolves.

Playoff RematchThe Mavericks open the season against the team who eliminated them from the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Mavs and Oilers went the distance, fighting it out in an epic seven-game series that saw the Oilers eliminate KC, 4-3.

The Mavs BrandThe Mavericks unveiled a new slogan and hashtag for the 2019-20 season. “This is Mavs Country” is the team’s slogan this season, embracingthe Mavericks deep roots in the Kansas City community. The hashtag “#SaddleUp” plays on the Mavericks equine mascot and logo.

Download the Mavericks new mobile app on the App Store and Google Play. Access mobile tickets, view the roster, engage with exclusive app content and more.

The Mavs kick off the 2019-20 home slate on Saturday against the Indy Fuel at 7:05 p.m. at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. Limited tickets remain. For more information, visit kcmavericks.com.