Four players are officially off the Peoria Rivermen’s final roster, with defenseman Pearce Baker and right wing Alfred Rotiroti hitting waivers, and Daniel Chartrand and Carson Jones moving to 14-day IR, all happening Thursday night as they gear up for Saturday’s SPHL season opener! This means the defending regular-season points champions are locked and loaded, ready to kick off their 2026-27 campaign.
The Opening Night Roster and What It Means
So, with those moves, the Rivermen’s Opening Night roster is totally set, and man, does it look like Coach Jean-Guy Trudel is ready to spread the wealth! This team is built to defend that regular-season points title, and their strategy seems pretty clear: veteran scoring power isn’t all lumped onto one line. You’ve got Nick Latinovich and Connor McAnanama between the pipes, ready to stone-cold shut down any attacks. On left defense, it’s Sam Holy and Brendan Boyce, with Kylar Fenton, Braydon Barker, and Gunner Moore holding down the right side. Yeah, they’ve only got five defensemen right now, so Kylar Fenton is gonna be a workhorse, playing with both sets. That’s a lot of ice time coming his way!
Forward Lines Are STACKED (and Spread Out!)
Alright, let’s talk offense, because this is where it gets spicy. Trudel has crafted some serious combinations to keep opponents guessing. Captain Alec Baer is centering that top line, flanked by veteran Mike Gelatt on the right wing and Carson Riddle on the left. That’s a combo that’s gonna put up points. Then you’ve got newcomer Will Redick stepping in at center, with the reigning SPHL goalscoring champion, Mike McChesney, on his right wing and Cooper Board on the left. McChesney coming off a championship season? That’s dangerous. Veteran Garrett Devine is holding down the middle on the third line, with Everett Pietila on right wing and Connor Szmul on left. And don’t sleep on the fourth line! Newcomers Brandon Della Paolera at center and T.J. Koufis on right wing are paired with veteran Cayden Cahill on left. It’s all about balanced attack, boys!
The Rivermen kick off their season this Saturday against rival Quad City. You know that game is gonna be absolutely WILD, especially with the defending champs rolling into town. Then, mark your calendars, because they hit Carver Arena for their home opener on Saturday, October 24, against the expansion Pee Dee. It’s gonna be a long season, but with this roster and this strategy, these guys are ready to make some noise!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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