JACKSON, Wyo. — This is the weekend always circled on the Moose calendar by the players as one where they want to be at their best. One never knows what the wind will blow in when the San Francisco DraftKings come to town but if history is any indication, watch for a few former NHL stars, high caliber hockey, and plenty of scoring.
“This is truly one of those weekends where it’s us against the world,” coach Howie Carruth admitted.
The DraftKings are a loosely knitted hockey club from the Bay Area in California. When time comes to travel to Jackson Hole, several non-roster players often make the trip, eager for a winter weekend of skiing, skating, and fine dining.
Rumors abound already about who might be in this weekend’s lineup for the DraftKings. Former NHLer Rene Bourque’s name has been mentioned as a possible San Francisco temporary recruit. The right-winger spent time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Colorado Avalanche.
Eddie Lack is another one who could be in the building this weekend as San Francisco’s goaltender. The 32-year-old Swedish netminder played for the Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes. He is currently the goalie coach for Arizona State University.
Coach Carruth will get sniper Jason Reese back into the lineup. He’ll take Dakota Richardson’s spot on the top line to play with Drew Akins and AJ Sanders. Richardson will join Alex Dewitz and Tom Hartnett on the second line. It’s as potent a 1-2 offensive punch as the Moose have ever dressed in their history.
Defensemen Sage Welch and RJ Majkozak will be scratches for this weekend, leaving the blueline a bit thin. Miller Resor will round out the core four of Brad Improta, Kristian Ophus, Nate Goss-Woliner, and Sam Barrett to make five d-men rotating in.
The Moose grabbed an OT win from San Francisco last year to go along with a 7-4 victory the following night. The teams split two high-scoring affairs in the 2017-18 season.
San Francisco DraftKings vs. Jackson Hole Moose. Snow King Sports and Event Center. Music by Aaron Davis & the Mystery Machine beginning at 7 p.m. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night.
