Posted Sep. 5, 2015 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON – Fans came to see the Stockton Heat’s new training facilities at Stockton Arena and for answers to their questions.

On Friday, they received both at the Heat’s meet-and-greet event at the University Plaza Hotel.

An estimated crowd of 250 participated in a question-and-answer session with officials from the new American Hockey League franchise based in Stockton and its NHL parent club, the Calgary Flames, before touring the locker room and fitness center inside the downtown arena. Along the way, the Heat announced the signing of three players, the opportunity for two popular former Stockton Thunder players to make the team, and Flames’ president of hockey operations Brian Burke squashed rumors the Heat might some day move to Sacramento.

Calgary’s assistant general manager, Brad Pascall, created a buzz among the attendees with news about the roster. He announced the signing of forwards Blair Riley, Ryan Lomberg and Michael Kirkpatrick, and said he planned to offer tryout contracts to Garet Hunt and Ryan Constant, the two longest serving and most popular players for the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL.

Pascall, who handles player personnel for Stockton, hopes the contracts are signed next week.

“I’ve spoke to both, and I believe they will come out,” Pascall said. “We made the offer because they are quality people and will have an opportunity to make the roster.”

On Friday, attempts to contact Hunt were not successful.

Burke didn’t wait for a question to address rumors on the Internet and social media stemming from the announcement earlier this week the Heat and Bakersfield Condors would play an outdoor game on Dec. 18 at Raley Field in Sacramento. Some have speculated the game would be a trial run for a possible move to Sacramento.

Burke said the Heat is dedicated to Stockton and looks forward to being involved in the community, which he spoke about extensively.

“We didn’t even look at Sacramento, folks. We’re not going to Sacramento. We’re not interested in Sacramento,” Burke said. “We bought this team and we’ve sunk over a quarter of a million dollars into the arena already in improvements.”

Fans got a chance to see those improvements. The Flames updated the training room, expanded the locker room, and created a fitness center and coaches offices.

Jeff Bockser of Galt brought his 9-year-old grandson, D.J. Clark, to see the Heat’s new setup.

“It’s beautiful,” Bockser said. “It’s nice for a young man like D.J. to have a chance to see what a professional locker room looks like.”

The panel for the discussion included Burke, Pascall, Heat head coach Ryan Huska, Heat president Dave Piecuch and Mark Francis of RS Ice Sports and Entertainment.

Pascall said he was thrilled to see the crowd near the hotel’s restaurant.

“When we walked in, we were ecstatic,” Pascall said. “It was a great turnout.”

— Contact reporter Scott Linesburgh at (209) 546-8281 or slinesburgh@recordnet.com. Follow him at recordnet.com/sportsblog and on Twitter @ScottLinesburgh.