TCB OKC
By Lowetide
8 years ago
The dictionary describes ‘defunct’ as “no longer existing or functioning” but I think “forever is a long damn time” should be added for full effect. The Oklahoma City Barons are defunct, a memory, soon to be a distant bell. Putting five years of effort and development into a few paragraphs is impossible, so I won’t even try. What I will do this week (with some help) is attempt to reflect in words and photos the impact of the Oklahoma City Barons on their city and OilersNation as a whole. We begin today with the facts.
FACTS!
- The Oklahoma City Barons never missed the playoffs.
- Attendance went down every season
- Curtis Hamilton played in the most games (208) (All information via hockeydb).
- Mark Arcobello led the franchise in goals (60).
- Mark Arcobello led the team in assists (101).
- Mark Arcobello led the team in points (161).
- Alex Plante led the team in PIMs (336)
- Martin Marincin is the only man to play in all five seasons.
GAMES PLAYED
- Curtis Hamilton 208
- Chris VandeVelde 192
- Mark Arcobello 188
- Phil Cornet 173
- Teemu Hartikainen 164
BEST PLAYERS (>90 GAMES) BY POSITION
- G Yann Danis: He was amazing
- D Brad Hunt: Stunning offensive talent at the AHL level
- D Brandon Davidson: Nuts and bolts defender improved greatly in OKC
- C Anton Lander: He should have been there from the beginning of the 2011 season, but had to overcome the organization to have success and reach his potential. Amazingly, he did just that thing.
- L Teemu Hartikainen: Big Finn meant Big Funn when he was on the ice, skill size and he worked hard on his speed. Man I cheered like hell for that guy.
- R Mark Arcobello: He came out of nowhere and locked down an AHL job, then he took it up a notch and found his way to the NHL. Amazing story.
I cheated a little (Arco’s a C) and apologies to Andrew Miller who would have made the list otherwise. So many wonderful names (hockeydb identifies 155 but admit that could be wrong) over five seasons, I feel guilty leaving off Martin Marincin, and Phil Cornet, Chris VandeVelde and Richard Bachman.
This week on the Lowdown, I go to the real experts—Patricia Teter, Eric Rodgers and Neal Livingston—to get their lineup for the all-time Barons, and I’ll burden Jonathan Willis with the same task on Tuesday during his regular slot.
Heartbeats Accelerating
Up next: Memories from Patricia, Eric, Neal and Jon. My sincere thanks to Rob Ferguson for his wonderful photographs, in this post and those you’ve seen over the years. All rights reserved.
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