Although an NHL and AHL veteran, Tucson Roadrunners' center Kevin Rooney has had one issue with his numerous call-ups this season: packing.
In October, Utah signed Rooney to a one-year, two-way contract, and then, after being assigned to Tucson on Oct. 9 after NHL training camp, Rooney, 32, has been called up and sent back down five times this season. Other than when Tucson added defenseman Terrell Goldsmith to the roster on Nov. 13, the Roadrunners' whole transaction page for November was Rooney getting recalled and returned to the AHL.
“It's been great, this has been an awesome year,” Rooney said. “I've been super excited that Utah gave me this opportunity to come down to Tucson and help the younger guys, and then when they've asked me to come up, I've tried to do the best to be a good teammate, be good in practice and then obviously we've got the one game.
“So, just try to stay ready and continue to build my game down here in Tucson.”
Rooney, assuming he isn’t called up again before then, and the other Roadrunners (22-19-8-0) play a single game at the San Diego Gulls (23-16-6-4) on Wednesday to start a six-game road trip.
Tucson Roadrunners center Kevin Rooney, No. 21, has been called up to the NHL and sent back down five times this season.
Rooney played 70 games for the Calgary Flames last season and has played 331 NHL games in his career, also suiting up for the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.
Rooney has played one game for the Mammoth this year, Nov. 28 at Dallas, scoring a goal.
“He's set the bar for how to handle it, right? I think he's handled it with such poise,” said Tucson head coach Steve Potvin. “I think he's just kind of rolled with whatever scenario he's been put in and it's a real testament to his character and how much he appreciates the game and I think he's a guy that understands what what the American Hockey League is like, so there are no surprises for him.”
Rooney has 17 points, including 11 goals, in 28 games for Tucson this year.
He has played for the Albany/Binghamton Devils and the Calgary Wranglers since joining the AHL in 2015.
His stints in the NHL this season have been 22, six, six, seven and eight days and on Nov. 14, he was returned to Tucson only to be recalled to Utah on Nov. 16 and back with the Roadrunners on Nov. 22.
“At first I was packing light and then I was up for a little bit longer,” Rooney said with a laugh. “So the next time I packed a bigger suitcase and then when I got sent down the Tucson guys were giving me a hard time because my suitcase was so big, I just had to be prepared for anything.”
Transactions packed
With the Winter Olympic break ending in the NHL and Utah having four players that went to Milan, the transaction page has been busy for Tucson and its parent club.
On Tuesday, Utah recalled forward Daniil But, defenseman Maveric Lamoureux, forward Ben McCartney, defenseman Dmitri Simashev and goalie Matthew Villalta. Then on Thursday, the Mammoth sent Simashev and Lamoureux back to Tucson.
On Friday, But and Villalta were sent to the Roadrunners and defensemen Scott Perunovich and Kevin Connauton were recalled to Utah. Then on Sunday, Utah called up defenseman Max Szuber and sent Perunovich back to Tucson.
On Monday, Connauton, McCartney and Szuber were added back to the Roadrunners.
Gulls on the brink
The Roadrunners have 23 games left in the season, but the San Diego tilt is crucial in one respect.
Tucson’s record against the Gulls this season is 1-2-2-0 (four points) while the Gulls are 4-0-0-1 against the Roadrunners, good enough for nine points. With three more games against San Diego, Tucson needs to win out in regulation against SD to retain the I-8 Border Rivalry Trophy.
The Roadrunners have won the trophy every year except for 2021-22.
Playoff primer
On Sunday, the AHL unveiled its playoff primer for the first time this season with the Grand Rapids Griffins on the cusp of being the first team to clinch a playoff spot.
Had San Diego beaten Rockford in regulation on Sunday, the Detroit Red Wings’ affiliate would have earned a playoff spot. Still, with 83 points, Grand Rapids can punch its ticket on Wednesday.
Ontario leads the Pacific Division with 70 points, and its magic number (points needed to clinch a playoff spot) is 29. Tucson has 52 points, sits in the last playoff spot in the Pacific and has a magic number of 49.
Rooney has 17 points, including 11 goals, in 28 games for Tucson this year.
Golden boys
The Olympic men’s gold medal game was at 6 a.m. following a Roadrunners 7 p.m. game, but Rooney still got to check out a former teammate.
“Actually, it's tough for me to fall asleep after games,” Rooney said. “So I set the alarm for 8 o'clock, so I was able to see the third period. So it was great; our Americans took it home, it was a fun day.
“I got to play with Jack Hughes in New Jersey, so seeing him the last few years has been awesome, fun to watch.”
New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes scored the gold medal-winning goal. Rooney, a Canton, Mass. native, won a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.
On the road again
Fresh from their Gem Show road trip, the Roadrunners are set for another long road trip.
After going 3-2 on the gem excursion, Tucson hosted a two-game home stand and now will head to California for six games. After San Diego on Wednesday, the Roadrunners will play the San Jose Barracuda for a pair, then one against the Ontario Reign on Mar. 4 and then a series at the Bakersfield Condors starting Mar. 6.
The road trip isn’t Tucson's last long trip of the season; they have a seven-game road swing in April. The Roadrunners are 11-8-2-0 on the road.
