Condors sign 2 more returners
BY MIKE GRIFFITH Californian staff writer mgriffith@bakersfield.com
Two more familiar faces -- defenseman Erik Burgdoerfer and forward Evan Trupp -- will be back for the Condors this season.
The Condors announced the signings on Wednesday, bringing the total number of players under contract to 16 -- 14 of those returners from last season.
Burgdoerfer, 23, has played with the Condors since late in the 2009-10 season when he got in three games after finishing collegiate play at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.
"I've only had the opportunity to play in Bakersfield as a pro, but I'm not sure I'd want to play anywhere else," Burgdoerfer said. "It's a first-class organization with first-class fans and I'm excited to come back to Condorstown. We have a great group of returners set on tying up unfinished business from last year."
Condors coach Matt O'Dette said Burgdoerfer (6-foot-2, 209 pounds) is a solid all-around defenseman with a lot of upside.
"He's still a young guy and this is a big year for him," O'Dette said. "He's a huge part of our blue line and I think he really has a chance to get to the American Hockey League.
"He has that edge and a bit of a mean streak in front of the net. He skates well, is steady and smart and we can put him in a lot of situations. He's become more of a leader."
Trupp (5-10, 180) joined the team in January after being acquired in a trade with Cincinnati. He clicked with the Condors, netting 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 25 games after putting up 12 points in 20 games with the Cyclones.
"He's a dynamic offensive player," O'Dette said. "He has tons of skill and for an undersized guy he plays a feisty style of game which makes him really effective. He brings a lot of excitement to our team and gets the fans out of their seats."
Trupp was one of several players O'Dette picked up during last season, which turned out to be a rebuilding year.
"What I enjoy most about the team is that we get along well on and off the ice," said Trupp. "I would get texts and calls throughout the summer from guys letting me know they were coming back, and I want to be a part of that. ... I think with a little more experience under our belt now, we'll be pretty good this season."
Trupp had shoulder surgery at the end of last season but O'Dette expects him to be ready to play when the Condors open the regular season in San Francisco on Oct. 12.
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