Image courtesy of bloomingtonbisonhockey.com

NORMAL, Ill. — The countdown is officially on for the start of the Bloomington Bison’s second ECHL season, as they will play host to the Iowa Heartlanders this Saturday, October 18, at Grossinger Motors Arena.

Head Coach and Vice President of Hockey Operations Phillip Barski’s squad returns from training camp with an intriguing mix of NHL-signed firepower, returning scoring ability, and an embrace to become a big, bad team.

The primary movements for the Bison were done through its affiliation, as two key prospects from the New York Rangers organization were sent to Bloomington.

Goalie Callum Tung, a 21-year-old who just led the University of Connecticut to its first NCAA Tournament appearance, comes from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack.

Tung had gaudy college stats (2.01 goals against average and a .933 save percentage) and offered an immediate high-pedigree option in goal.

For the offensive side of the sticks, forward Kyle Jackson will join the Herd on a loan that gives the Bison some known ECHL scoring in a 22-year-old former seventh-round NHL draft pick who posted career numbers with 27 goals and 52 points last season.

These assignments demonstrate a level of talent that will raise the team’s ceiling right away.

Barski had also added stability by inking forwards Lou-Felix Denis and Mikael Robidoux to standard player contracts.

Denis ended last season on a high when he was signed, scoring 10 points in eighteen games. More than just tough in the sense that he’s Robidoux, 885 career penalty minutes to his credit will make the Bison a physical team this season and provide a gritty challenge for opposing teams.

Although the team’s only preseason game was a 2-1 defeat to the Indy Fuel, it provided some promising moments.

Callum Tung and Hugo Ollas teamed up in net, stopping 19 shots, including the Knights’ lone power play shot, while the penalty kill stood tall, killing off three third-period Knights penalties.

The Bison also showed some brilliant flashes offensively, including a goal by forward Johnny Evans, proving they are good to go for real action.

The service to the community, away from the game, continues to define the organization.

The Bison’s front office and mascot, Abe, were active participants in community events throughout the offseason—from encouraging healthy lifestyles at the Children’s Discovery Museum’s Day of Play to combating food insecurity with the Midwest Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.

And that community focus will also be evident with a major new partner this season in the form of Cale Health, which has been branded as the official orthopedics and sports medicine provider of the Bison.

This joint effort will provide players with superior levels of healthcare, including treatment as well as preventative care, through specialist doctors and physiotherapists.

Grossinger Motors Arena will give the fans plenty of incentive to arrive early more than once this season.

The team celebrates Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, October 25, with a pregame tailgate that will feature military vehicles and simulators, followed by an on-ice enlistment ceremony.

The team will take the ice in specialty jerseys, auctioned to support Veterans Maintenance Solutions.

The Bison are also promoting student attendance, offering College Packs all season long for just $20 to students of Heartland Community College, Illinois State University, and Illinois Wesleyan University (which includes free bus transportation on game nights).

The schedule also sees one minor change, as the March 7 road game vs. the Indy Fuel is now on Sunday, Feb 8th, vs. the Fort Wayne Komets.

But the focus for the Bison is on this Saturday, as their second ECHL season will begin, and with that, a new quest of bringing postseason hockey to the Bloomington area.

For all things Bloomington Bison, be sure to tune into wznd.com.

The post The Stampede Is Back: Bloomington Bison Gear Up for Season Opener appeared first on WZND Fuzed Radio.