The roster for the Rochester Americans season opener is pretty much set.  It appears as if we won’t have that goon / enforcer / muscle that we had all hoped for, but it’s time to move beyond that (for now).  Assuming the team can put in a solid effort for 60 minutes, the team should will be successful.  We have an excellent new head coach, improved goal tending, and a commitment to success.  One thing is for certain, if the season starts out slow we’ve been told that we will see changes.  With Shawn Matthias still in Florida we are still short on someone at center for opening night.

Rory Fitzpatrick will be wearing the “C” on his jersey this season.  Still no news on who will wear the “A,” but two excellent choices would be Stefan Meyer and Janis Sprukts.  Both are consistent players that continue to play strong every night and have shown leadership on and off the ice.

Keys to a win (pretty obvious): A full 60 minutes of effort, and play physical.  The Syracuse Crunch are a physical team, the Amerks need to set the tone showing they won’t back down.  Even if the gloves aren’t going to be dropped, if a full game is played we’ll be able to score.  Chris Beckford-Tseu is someone that players will be able to rely on in goal.

According to Amerks.com, here’s the current lineup heading into Thursday (continue reading below for additional notes):

2	Michael Caruso	D	L	6-2	191	Jul 5, 1988	Mississauga Ont
3	Jason Garrison	D	L	6-0	205	Nov 13, 1984	White Rock BC
4	Rory Fitzpatrick	D	R	6-2	208	Jan 11, 1975	Rochester NY
5	Janis Sprukts	C	L	6-3	235	Jan 31, 1982	Riga Lat
7	Drew Larman	C	R	6-3	197	May 15, 1985	Buffalo NY
8	Keaton Ellerby	D	L	6-4	186	Nov 5, 1988	Strathmore AB
10	Stefan Meyer	LW	L	6-2	200	Jul 20, 1985	Fox Valley, SK
11	Brady Calla	RW	R	6-1	205	Mar 14, 1988	Kelowna BC
12	Peter Aston	D	R	6-1	205	Feb 24, 1986	Toronto Ont
14	Mike Duco	RW	R	5-10	194	Jul 8, 1987	Toronto Ont
15	Tanner Glass	LW	L	6-1	210	Nov 29, 1983	Craven SK
17	Dan Collins	RW	R	6-2	195	Feb 26, 1987	Syracuse NY
18	Andrew Sweetland	LW	L	6-2	204	Oct 21, 1986	Bonavista Nfd
19	Karl Stewart	LW	L	5-11	185	Jun 30, 1983	Scarborough Ont
20	Luke Beaverson	D	L	6-4	220	Dec 11, 1984	St. Paul MN
22	Kenndal McArdle	LW	L	5-11	205	Jan 4, 1987	Toronto Ont
25	Jordan Henry	D	L	6-2	198	Feb 11, 1986	Milo AB
26	Michal Repik	RW	R	5-10	180	Dec 31, 1988	Vlasim Cze
27	Doug O’Brien	D	L	6-1	200	Feb 16, 1984	St. John’s Nfd
28	Neil Clark	LW	L	6-2	203	Jul 25, 1981	Burnaby BC
30	Chris Beckford-Tseu	G	L	6-0	201	Jun 22, 1984	Toronto, ON
32	Franklin MacDonald	D	L	6-0	198	Apr 8, 1985	Sydney NS
34	David Brine	C	L	6-1	201	Jan 6, 1985	Truro NS
35	Tyler Plante	G	L	6-4	191	Apr 16, 1987	Milwaukee WI

With that roster, we’re currently short on someone at center.  The 4th spot is expected to go to Shawn Matthias, but he’s still with the Florida Panthers.  We may not know until Friday what the deal is.  Hopefully more information will surface on Thursday.  Would be great to have him at the opener, expectations are high for him.

Expect Janis Sprukts, Stefan Meyer, and Michal Repik to be the top line.  We’re hoping to get further details on the other three lines.

Chris Beckford-Tseu had an impressive pre-season and will be starting in goal.

Starting defensemen will probably be Rory Fitzpatrick, Jason Garrison, Michael Caruso, Peter Aston, Luke Beaverson, and Doug O’Brien.  Keaton Ellerby has been nursing an ‘upper body injury.’  With an abundance of defensemen I can’t imagine him starting the season playing injured.  That also leaves Franklin MacDonald as an extra.  I wouldn’t be too suprised if he was reassigned to the Florida Everblades.

Jordan Henry will be out at least another week with a knee injury.

Kevin O noted — James DeLory came out of junior as a defenseman but the Panthers will be converting him to a right winger.  He’ll be learning the new position with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.

Sounds like Marc-Andre Gragnani of last season, absolutely horrible on defense, but once he moved up his play improved immensely.  He ended the season as one of the best on the ice.

Overall the lineup may not be one that is considered “stacked,” but it is what it is.  Openingh night is less than 48 hours away.  It’s a new day for a Rochester tradition.  At this point many will be pessimistic, I’ve become optimistic.  The Florida Panthers and new Amerks ownership are under pressure to put a successful team on the ice.  If that doesn’t happen I think all are aware a mutiny may occur.

For more on each player you can check out the Democrat and Chronicles “Meet the 2008 Rochester Americans” article.