Condors extend Colin Chaulk, entire coaching staff

Condors’ focus ‘development’

Chaulk will enter his fifth full season behind the Condors’ bench, taking over as an interim coach in 2021-22. With a record of 164-123-35, Chaulk has helped guide Bakersfield to four post-season appearances, including their lone playoff series win in 2022 against the Abbotsford Canucks.

“It takes time to build culture. To see what results look like. We’ve been about process. We’ve been about development for five years,” Chaulk said in an interview shared by the Condors.

“To see 11 players play 249 games with Edmonton last year shows everyone is doing such a good job on finding free agents, later round draft picks, and early draft picks, understanding that we want to have some players who can contribute in Edmonton. To see that happen and the organization put faith in me and the staff, it was a real easy decision to accept the contract offer.”

Bakersfield is coming off a productive season, with a record of 37-23-12, while setting a franchise record for home performance with a 25-8-3 record at Dignity Health Arena.

Prospects like Isaac Howard and Quinn Hutson had standout seasons, named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. Hutson tied a team record with 30 goals to led all AHL rookies, finishing with 63 points. Howard was third amongst AHL freshmen with 24 goals and overall finished above a point per game with 50 points in 47 contests.

Meanwhile, Josh Samanski came to Bakersfield as a European free agent to begin the season. Fast forward to the end of the season, Samanski was skating in the Oilers’ lineup in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The upcoming season will be Keith McCambridge’s fifth behind the bench and third as an associate coach. He primarily works on the defensive side of the puck and penalty kill. Adam Krug and Kelly Guard will both go into their third seasons.