KENNEWICK, WA - Tri-City Americans' Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that the club has selected Darcy Ewanchuk to serve as their new athletic therapist for the upcoming 2010-11 season.

Out of the League for the past two seasons, Ewanchuk is an 11-year veteran of the Western Hockey League. Prior to his hiatus, Ewanchuk spent the 2007-08 season as the Athletic Trainer/Equipment Manger for the new expansion team, the Edmonton Oil Kings. He made his jump into the WHL before the start of the 1996-97 season, spending two seasons with the Edmonton Ice. The club relocated to Kootenay in 1998 and Ewanchuk joined them before the start of the 1999-00 season, eventually winning a WHL Championship with the Ice in 2000 and a Memorial Cup Championship in 2002. From 1994-96, Ewanchuk served as the student athletic trainer for the University of Alberta basketball team, then returned to serve the same position with the Golden Bears' hockey team for the 1998-99 season.

KENNEWICK, WA - Tri-City Americans' Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that Terry Virtue has announced his resignation as associate coach due to personal reasons.

Virtue, a former Americans defenseman from 1989-91, wrapped up a 16-year professional playing career before joining Tri-City as an assistant coach in time for the 2007-08 season. Over the past three seasons with the Americans, Virtue's defensive units have finished in the top-6 in goals allowed while featuring three defensemen with 30+ points the past two years. The Spruce Grove, Alberta-native spent 13 seasons as a player in the American Hockey League prior to joining the Tri-City coaching staff, appearing in 888 games and totaling 88 goals, 387 points and 1,856 penalty minutes.

KENNEWICK, WA - The Tri-City Americans announced today their tentative regular season schedule for the upcoming 2010-11 season, their 23rd season in the Mid-Columbia.

For the third consecutive season, the Americans will start the season at home, as Tri-City will host the arch rival Spokane Chiefs at the Toyota Center on Saturday, Sept. 25. Tri-City will also raise their third straight U.S. Division banner and first Western Conference Championship banner prior to the game.

"We are on the road a lot to start the season but, in return, we have a strong second half in front of our fans," noted Americans' Governor/General Manager Bob Tory. "It's never an easy process but, overall, I feel this year's schedule puts us in position for a good year, both on the business side and the hockey side."

RICHLAND - Carey Price was chatting up former Tri-City Americans teammate Dylan Stanley and watching the long drive competition Monday at the ninth annual Olie and Stu's Desert Bash at Meadow Springs Country Club.

The Montreal Canadiens goaltender was getting in a couple of rounds of golf after a long season that saw Montreal lose in the Eastern Conference finals to the Philadelphia Flyers.

"It was pretty fun," Price said of the experience. "When you get in the playoffs and get on a run, everyone is pulling on the same rope. I think what made the difference was everyone was enjoying themselves. When you get on a roll like we did last season, everyone was excited. It's an electrifying city."

RICHLAND - Alonzo Mitz competed in Monday's long drive competition one-handed, unable to swing his golf club with both hands because of years of wear and tear on his shoulders.

But for the former Seattle Seahawk - one of nearly three dozen celebrities teeing off for autism at the ninth annual Olie and Stu's Desert Bash at Meadow Springs Country Club - the event wasn't about his golf game.

"What Olie and Stu have done here for autism is phenomenal," said Mitz, who played for the Seahawks from 1986-89. "I think with what Olie has started here is going to be something that will allow kids to smile. This is fun. I love golf, but the cause is what makes the difference."

RICHLAND - Hockey and golf. For Drew Owsley, it couldn't be a more perfect weekend.

The Tri-City Americans starting goaltender will be teeing off this morning with his Dade Moeller and Associates team at Olie and Stu's Desert Bash at Meadow Springs Country Club. A couple of rounds of golf is a bonus, but when the field contains nearly a half-dozen former and current NHL and Olympic goalies, the experience is well worth the trip.

"I'm really looking forward to it. It's an honor and it's for a good cause," said Owsley, the Western Hockey League's Western Conference playoff MVP. "I think it will be fun to talk to a few of those guys. Any tips I can get, I'll take."

The Tri-City Americans are proud to offer their annual Summer Hockey Camp. It is our aim to provide quality instruction, supervision and enjoyment for all enrolled participants.

The annual camp invites students of all abilities ranging in age from 6 to 14. The primary focus of the camp will be on skating, fundamentals and skill development with a goal of maximizing individual potential while instilling proper techniques.

This year's camp will run for five (5) days, with sessions running from the late afternoon through early evenings. Each player will receive approximately 7 hours of ice time with daily activities including 1 hour and 15 minutes of ice time and a 30-minute video session in the Americans' locker room.

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with goaltender Devan Dubnyk on a two-year deal.

Dubnyk, 24, played in his first National Hockey League season last year appearing in 19 games sporting a 4-10-2 record with a 3.57 GAA and .889 save percentage.

Tambellini also announced today the club has agreed to terms with defenceman Shawn Belle on a one-year contract.

Belle, 25, spent last season with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the American Hockey League where he played in 70 games collecting 19 points (3G, 16A) and 69 penalty minutes. He also played in two games for the Montreal Canadiens but was held pointless.

KENNEWICK, WA - Tri-City Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that the team's Asst. General Manager/Dir. of Player Personnel Terry Bangen has officially chosen to retire. Bangen, however, will remain as a special advisor and consultant to the General Manager.

Bangen, in his five seasons working for Tri-City, helped Tory transform the Americans into a formidable team year in and year out. Prior to his second stint with Tri-City, Bangen spent five years with Hockey Canada as their Manager of High Performance Program. In 1989, Bangen made the jump to major junior hockey when he accepted the role of Assistant Coach with the WHL's Kamloops Blazers. He spent five years with the Blazers, winning three Memorial Cup championships in the process. In 1995, Bangen moved east, assuming the role of Head Coach of the McGill University Redmen for one season before making his way to the NHL as an Assistant Coach with the Vancouver Canucks. He rejoined former Blazers' coach Don Hay in Tri-City for two seasons (1998-99 and 1999-00) as Assistant GM/Assistant Coach before accepting a position within Hockey Canada.