Condors F Matt Pope named to ECHL All-Rookie Team
April 1, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The ECHL announced today that Bakersfield Condors F Matt Pope has been named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team. The teams were selected by a vote from ECHL head coaches.
Pope, 24, has turned in a standout rookie campaign, recording 30 goals on the season and breaking the Condors rookie point record, with 63 points (30g-33a) in just 54 games. The Langley, British Columbia, native got off to a great start this season, notching 2g-2a in just his second professional game, and was named the Kern Trophies Condor of the Month for November. His play earned him the opportunity to play in the American Hockey League, first with the Binghamton Senators and then with the Manitoba Moose, where he is currently on a Professional Try-Out contract. In nine AHL games, Pope has 4g-3a-7pts, with a plus-3 and 10 penalty minutes.
Despite not having played an ECHL game since March 7, Pope still ranks among league leaders in many categories. At the time of his signing in the AHL, the Bemidji State grad ranked in the Top 10 in scoring in the ECHL, though he has now slipped to 18th overall. However, he still ranks 7th among all ECHL rookie scorers, and is tied for 5th overall (2nd among rookies) with 13 power play markers. Pope is one of three Condors this season to crack the 30-goal barrier, and joins Todd Griffith (ECHL, 2006-07), Jason Jackman and Jonas Lennartsson (both in the WCHL, 2002-03), as Condors that have been named to the All-Rookie Team.
Pope joins Alaska Aces G J.P. Lamoureux, and Wheeling Nailers rookies D Elgin Reid, D Mitch Ganzak, F Jordan Morrison and F Bryan Ewing on the ECHL All-Rookie Team. The four players from Wheeling are the most from a single team to be voted to the All-Rookie Team, breaking the previous mark of two, which has occurred multiple times. The ECHL will announce its First-Team and Second-Team All-ECHL selections on Thursday.
TRANSACTIONS:
The Condors placed G Dave McKee on the 30-IR today after he suffered a broken bone in his left arm on Tuesday. The Kelly Cup Playoff roster does not include a 30-IR, but includes two 3-IR and one 7-IR.
CONDORS NOTES:
The Condors wrap up regular season next weekend with two home games against the division-leading Ontario Reign. Friday, April 3 is Fans Choice Night, sponsored by ABC 23 and American Business Machines. This is the fans chance to pick the promotions, games, music, and even the starting lineup for that game! Game time is 7 p.m.
The regular season finale is Saturday, April 4, and while the Reign and Condors battle on the ice, SpongeBob Squarepants will be entertaining the crowd, appearing courtesy of Bright House Networks and 101.5 KGFM. Game time is 7:30 p.m., and the doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
PLAYOFF PICTURE:
The results from this weekend's games, as well as the two-game series between Stockton and Las Vegas, will determine what position the Condors finish in the standings and who they will play. Regardless of opponent or seeding, the Condors will host Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) on April 15, 17 and 18, respectively. The Condors, Thunder and Wranglers are all tied for 2nd place in the Pacific Division, with two games each remaining. Ontario has secured 1st place in the division and will play the 4th place team, while the 2nd and 3rd place teams will meet.
GET TICKETS
Individual game tickets are on sale and may be purchased through the Rabobank Arena Box Office, which is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours on game days. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 322-2525, online at Bakersfieldcondors.com, or at any Ticketmaster location. Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324-PUCK (7825).
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