Langdon leads Bulls’ list of protected players

With the 2013 ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs in the rear-view mirror, we can now officially start getting pumped for San Francisco Bulls hockey to return to the City By The Bay.

In addition to keeping fans engaged during the off-season by posting season highlights on its Twitter feed, the team announced today their list of 14 protected players for the Bulls sophomore season.

Team captain and 2013 Fan Favorite Award winner Scott Langdon (1 goal, 11 assists, 150 PIM) heads up the list of 14 players — nine forwards and five defensemen — fans can hopefully expect to see back at the Cow Palace this October.

Langdon won’t be the only enforcer potentially returning to San Francisco this fall, as Hans Benson (2 assists and 75 PIM in 32 games) will also potentially be back in an orange-and-black sweater.

Leading goal-scorer Peter Sivak — The Most Interesting Bull In The World — is also on the list. Sivak notched 33 goals, 23 assists in 2012-13.

Alternate captains Jordan Morrison (16 goals, 25 assists) and Dean Ouellet (24 goals, 28 assists) also made Monday’s list.

Defensemen on the list of protected players: Dylan King, Simon Danis-Pepin, Rob Kwiet and Mark Isherwood.

Listed forwards include Kory Falite (13 goals and 26 assists with SF and Utah), Christian Ouellet (17 goals, 20 assists), Kris Belan (8 goals, 13 assists, 141 PIM), late-season arrival Nick Czinder (2 goals, 1 assist).

ECHL rules dictate all teams must complete future consideration trades by June 13. Rules regarding the protected list policy can be found at on the ECHL website.

A full schedule for the upcoming season is typically announced in early June. Training camp should open in September with the regular season expected to begin October.