Monarchs set to open camp

Manchester Monarchs coach Mark Morris just took a few minutes to give an update on how things are looking on the eve of AHL training camp. The Monarchs are set to take the ice for the first time on Saturday, as they prepare for their Oct. 12 season opener. I’ll have the full interview later, but for now here are some relevant points…

— Kings assistant coach John Stevens has been in town in recent days, to work with the coaching staff and get everyone on the same page, in terms of changes that Darryl Sutter has made to the Kings’ on-ice systems. The Kings always strive to have as much cohesion, on and off the ice, between themselves and the Monarchs, so Stevens’ presence in staff meetings this week has allowed the Monarchs’ coaches to learn more of Sutter’s terminology and concepts. Goalie coach Bill Ranford will also be part of the training-camp coaching staff in Manchester.

— The Monarchs’ 25-man training camp roster includes Andrei Loktionov, and Morris said he expects to have Loktionov in camp on Saturday. There have been published reports that Loktionov, who was assigned to the AHL by the Kings this month, might instead try to play in the KHL during the lockout. The legality of Loktionov attempting to play in the KHL during the lockout is considered highly doubtful, given that he is under assignment by the Kings. Morris said he also expects Slava Voynov to be in camp, although both of these situations seem to be a bit fluid in nature.

— There is some question as to whether defenseman Colin Miller will be in camp, but indications are that Miller will stay with his junior team, Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL.

For the record, here is the Monarchs’ announced training-camp roster…

FORWARDS: Andy Andreoff, Marc-Andre Cliche, Richard Clune, Robbie Czarnik, Justin Johnson, Brandon Kozun, Stefan Legein, Andrei Loktionov, David Meckler, Jordan Nolan, Brian O’Neill, Tanner Pearson, Nikolay Prokhorkin, Tyler Toffoli, Linden Vey and Jordan Weal.
DEFENSEMEN: Andrew Bodnarchuk, Andrew Campbell, Nick Deslauriers, Thomas Hickey, David Kolomatis, Jake Muzzin and Slava Voynov.
GOALIES: J.F. Berube and Martin Jones.