STATELINE, Nev. – It’s an exciting start to the season for the Tahoe Knight Monsters as they brace for their upcoming home opener with new team colors, a new captain and new head coach, Connor Jones, against brand new expansion, the New Mexico Goatheads.
“I think we’ve got an energetic group,” said Jones. “‘Resilient’ would be the word that I’d use. We’ve gotten down and overcame some adversity, early.”
Jones led the team during a two-game season-opener series against the Wichita Thunder starting on October 17, and although both games were neck-and-neck, the Thunder took home a 4-3 win after heading into overtime.
Stepping in to replace previous Knight Monsters coach, Alex Loh, Jones comes from coaching at Princeton University and said he’s learning “a different transaction system”.
“In college, you’re recruiting and you have [players] for four years, especially where I was at Princeton. You learn to develop those guys,” Jones told the Tribune. “That’s something I want to bring into this group and develop their games to get to the next level.”
While he continues to learn the ropes of head coaching an ECHL team, Jones is also striving to manage not just his players, but also staff and the operations side of things, saying that he’s more aware of the decisions he makes and how they might affect others.
New team captain, Jake McGrew has some managing ahead of him this season as he replaces previous captain, Luke Adam.
When asked which aspects of Adam’s leadership he wants to carry forward, McGrew praised Adam’s personableness.
“He really meshed with everybody. He was a knowledgeable guy, and he was easy to talk to,” McGrew said. “I want to be a voice for guys if they need anything. I think there’s more to it than just inside the rink, and that’s the kind of leader I want to be.”
McGrew also touched on letting his actions and results speak for themselves.
“I think, at times, it’s knowing the spots to buckle down, not say much, and just lead by example.”
Heading into the weekend, the team will face off against the New Mexico Goatheads, a new team in the ECHL who have replaced the Utah Grizzlies in the Mountain Division. Although they’re a new team, Jones said he’s not counting them out.
“I think in any game and any sport, you can’t underestimate your opponents,” said Jones. “My message to [my team] is going to be to worry about us, and we’ll make adjustments to what New Mexico will do.”
Jones, having previously played against Goatheads head coach Zack Stortini in multiple divisional AHL matchups, anticipates that Stortini will lead a competitive and physical team.
As the Tahoe Knight Monsters dawn their new powder blue and sky blue colors, forward Jake Derflinger said it’s all part of their transition period.
“I think they look great,” Derflinger said. “A lot of things changed this offseason. We’ve got a very different looking group. We have new staff, and it just so happens that the colors changed as well.”
In lieu of all the changes, the Tahoe Knight Monsters say they’re excited for the 2026-27 season.
Their home opener weekend starts this weekend, Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, both games starting at 7 p.m., followed by a game on Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m.
To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit https://knightmonstershockey.com/.
