The draft gave Topeka several other pieces of its hockey foundation. CHL teams can carry 18 players on their rosters, plus three on an emergency list and a variable number on injured reserve. They were able to protect 12 of those from the draft. Still, Presson said he thought Topeka came away with the two best players on the Crows' natural rival, the Wichita Thunder, in Corey Dosdall and goaltender Jeff Salajko. Dosdall, elected a team captain by his Thunder teammates last year as a rookie, could be an integral part of the Crows if Presson can lure him away from the day job he took since last season.
Young players change their minds.
Another reason we took him is, whether or not we get him, that keeps him off Wichita. Presson expects to have about 10 players under contract in time for training camp, which tentatively is scheduled to run Oct. 5 though 14 and will be open to the public. Training camp is a lot of fun. It doesn't always come down to money. It's like college sports.