Bridgeport Sound Tigers Roster Prediction
October is here, and that means hockey season is upon us! Let’s take a look at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers roster and what the lines could look like on opening night.
The Forwards:
Travis St. Denis – Otto Koivula – Simon Holmstrom
Kieffer Bellows – Mason Jobst – Oliver Wahlstrom
Joshua Ho-Sang – Matt Lorito – Steve Bernier
Cole Bardreau – Tanner Fritz – Colin McDonald
Extras: Erik Brown, Bobo Carpenter, John Stevens, Ryan Bourque, Kyle MacLean, Arnaud Durandeau, Jeff Kubiak, Nick Schilkey
Following the shocking waivers announcement on Oct. 1, Joshua Ho-Sang and Tanner Fritz will both report to Bridgeport. Brent Thompson should keep Kieffer Bellows, Mason Jobst and Oliver Wahlstrom together as the wingers were deadly a season ago in the playoffs, and Jobst has impressed the Islanders brass in the preseason with a goal and an assist with the Islanders top preseason group. Tanner Fritz could slide as both a winger and center, but in this case, I believe he will slot in at center with newcomer Cole Bardreau and veteran Steve Bernier.
Another possibility is that some of the extra forwards like Kyle MacLean and Arnaud Durandeau could be sent down to Worcester. Ben Thomson is currently on a PTO coming into the season, so there is a chance he may get signed. Erik Brown and Bobo Carpenter are both injured heading into the season, so they will not be of concern until they get back. Scott Eansor shockingly announced his retirement from professional hockey just four days before the season began, giving Bridgeport a little bit more space at center.
The Defense:
Sebastian Aho- Grant Hutton
Parker Wotherspoon – Kyle Burroughs
Thomas Hickey – Seth Helgeson
Extras: Mitch Vande Sompel, Mike Cornell, Ryan MacKinnon, David Quenneville, Bode Wilde
The Sound Tigers defense looks like the same defense that has led the team throughout the last three seasons with two additions – Grant Hutton, who starred for Bridgeport in the playoffs last season, and Thomas Hickey, the longtime Islander who cleared waivers with Ho-Sang and Fritz. For now, it looks like Hickey will be slotted into where third-year defenseman Mitch Vande Sompel would play, which is currently vacant as he is out with an injury. Also out with an injury is Bode Wilde, who has a high ankle sprain and has not skated yet this year. David Quenneville, Mike Cornell and Ryan MacKinnon could be sent to Worcester.
Goalies
Christopher Gibson
Jared Coreau
Linus Soderstrom
Evan Buitenhuis
The current goalie situation features five goaltenders fighting for two or three spots. The easy choices are Christopher Gibson and Jared Coreau, who have both spent the majority of their pro careers in the AHL. They will likely split time in goal, while Linus Soderstrom, Jakub Skarek and Evan Buitenhuis will probably be the three goalies to start in Worcester.
That concludes our Bridgeport Sound Tigers roster prediction! Follow Fight4First and use Code Drive4Five on SeatGeek for $20 off of tickets!
A Native of Danbury, CT. Christian is one of the longest tenured Drive4Five writers, Christian Gardecki began writing for Drive4five In May of 2017. Christian covers Minor League Hockey and the Bridgeport Islanders for Drive4Five. Outside of Drive4Five, Christian was the captain of his High School Hockey team and currently attends Hofstra University with a major in journalism. Christian was the play by play broadcaster for the Danbury Westerners summer collegiate baseball team during their 2021 NECBL Championship. Christian also was the Public Address Announcer for the Danbury Hat Tricks Minor Pro Hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League and NAHL Junior team from 2019-21.
