Amerks set to open season: Here's what to expect as team builds on last year's success

All it took were 10 playoff games last May for a passionate hockey town to rekindle its long-standing love affair with the Rochester Amerks.

That’s not to say that the bulk of the fan base had jumped ship during a 17-year period where the Amerks either didn’t qualify for the American Hockey League Calder Cup playoffs, or they failed to win even one series.

Quite the contrary. The hard-core fans were always there through thick and mostly thin, staying true to the red, white and blue despite the nonstop roster churning, coaching changes, and even affiliation changes, all of which left a proud franchise staggering around in the wilderness.

And then on May 4, in front of more than 6,000 fans at Blue Cross Arena, the Amerks rallied from a three-goal third-period deficit to defeat bruising Belleville 4-3 in overtime, kicking off what became the longest playoff run since 2005.

There’s not many things better in sports than hockey in the spring, and the Amerks put together a memorable three weeks that had the town buzzing as they eliminated Belleville a couple nights later, then took down powerhouse Utica in a thrilling five-game series before losing to a supremely talented Laval squad in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Rochester Americans schedule kicks off Friday

Friday night, the Amerks open their 67th AHL season when they host Toronto, and while some of the faces will be different, coach Seth Appert believes that for the returning players who experienced the playoff run, it can be tremendously beneficial.

“You can utilize it, I think,” Appert said. “Number one, you’re motivated and excited by what this place and town and community feels like when we’re humming like that. Every player likes to play in front of full buildings in big games.”

Here’s a look at the team:

Rochester Americans roster: Goaltending should be a strength

This comes with a caveat because in the preseason game Sunday night, Malcolm Subban suffered a lower body injury and his status for the start of the season is unclear. If he’s not ready, Michael Houser will be the backup to No. 1 goalie Ukko Pekka-Luukkonen.

Of the UPL/Subban combination, Appert said, “It’s probably an elite 1-2 in the American Hockey League; two guys that are really talented, really competitive, and both have had significant time in the National Hockey League.”

Appert acknowledged that this is a big season for UPL. Since being selected in the second round of the 2017 draft by the Sabres, the most games he has played in a season were the 35 from last year. He has dealt with several injuries, including one on the final night of the regular season that knocked him out of the postseason.

“I think the biggest thing for UPL this year is staying healthy,” Appert said. “That’s a big thing, get 45-50 games in the regular season, whether that’s here, a combination of Buffalo and Rochester, I don’t think that matters as much. We need to get him into that range so he can get that workload acclimatization that is so important as a goaltender.”

Last year there were times when UPL was outstanding, but his final numbers were not great: A 3.28 goals-against average which ranked 36th in the AHL among qualified goalies, and a .900 save percentage which was 31st. However, during the preseason with the Sabres, UPL posted a 2.00 GAA average and a .933 save percentage in his two starts, stopping 56 of 60 shots.

Amerks roster 2022-23: Forward unit lost some major firepower

Last season the Amerks finished third in the AHL in scoring with 254 goals, but three of the top four scorers are gone, at least for now. Both Jack Quinn (26 goals, 35 assists, 61 points) and JJ Peterka (28-40-68) made the Sabres’ final roster, and Artuu Ruotsalianen (18-33-51, plus 8-4-12 in the playoffs) left the organization to play in his native Finland.

Some of the scoring will come from returnees like captain Michael Mersch (26-28-54) and Sean Malone (20-17-37) who Appert said are “proven point producers in the American Hockey League.” And there’s also the group of Brandon Biro, Brett Murray, Lukas Rousek, and Linus Weissbach, key contributors last season who Appert said are all ready to take another step in their development.

But Appert will be incorporating a kiddie corps into the group that will include 18-year-olds Jiri Kulich and Aleksandr Kisakov, 19-year-olds Tyson Kozak and Isak Rosen, and 22-year-old Filip Cederqvist.

“Like last year, we’re gonna need our rookies to score - those five young forwards that are very talented guys and are here now,” Appert said.

Amerks defensive corps anchored by veterans

Rochester’s defense in 2021-22 struggled as it allowed 270 goals, the second-worst total in the league.

Part of the reason for the problems last year was that the expected top three defenseman - Casey Fitzgerald, Mattias Samuelsson and Brandon Davidson - played only a combined 73 games here because of injury or recalls to Buffalo. Fitzgerald and Samuelsson will start the year in Buffalo and Davidson has gone to Russia.

That’s why Appert is thankful that the Sabres re-signed Ethan Prow to play in Rochester. The 29-year-old has six AHL seasons under his belt, and he’s a steadying influence when things get a little crazy.

“Having Prow back was a massive piece for me as the head coach,” Appert said, putting him in the same category as Malone and Mersch who can set the tone for the team. “They help you win in Rochester, but they don’t do it the wrong way. They set the right example for our young prospects every day.”

Veterans Peter Tischke and Mitch Eliot are also back, and another veteran, Lawrence Pilut, who played two seasons with the Sabres before spending the last two years playing in Russia, is back and was just sent down to Rochester.

Those mainstays, along with veteran Jeremy Davies, will be mentoring a young group that includes Oskari Laaksonen, Chase Priskie and Kale Clague.

“Whoever it is,” Appert said of the guys who dress, “we’re gonna have a very talented D-corps. It’s gonna be more mobile, more puck moving than it was. We have more forward prospects in our organization right now than we do D, and I think guys see that there’s opportunity to earn NHL time.”

Sal Maiorana can be reached at maiorana@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salmaiorana.To subscribe to Sal's new twice-a-week newsletter, Bills Blast, please follow this link: https://profile.democratandchronicle.com/newsletters/bills-blast

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester Americans set to open season: What to expect from roster