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SteelHounds Make Blockbuster Trade; Acquire Four Players Including Three All-Stars

June 21, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - Youngstown SteelHounds Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Kaminski made Youngstown hockey history today with the announcement of a major trade with the Tulsa Oilers involving five players. The Hounds have acquired forwards Mike Wiggins and Bryan Lachapelle along with defensemen Kurtis Dulle and Terry Virtue in exchange for forward Jeff Christian.

"We are very excited to add depth to our organization with the addition of these four star players," said Kaminski. "These are players that are at the top level of their games and who will help the SteelHounds take the next step in their quest for a championship."

Wiggins, 27, has enjoyed two outstanding seasons over the past couple of years totaling 72 goals and 57 assists over 138 games. Last season was the Calgary, Alberta native's first in the Central Hockey League (CHL) and it produced an all-star season with 35 goals and 24 assists. His 59 points and 35 goals were both second on the Oilers team. The 5-8, 175-pound right wing notched seven points (4-3=7) in six games versus the SteelHounds. Wiggins played four years for the University of Wisconsin Superior between 2001and 2005 finishing his collegiate career with 54 goals, 47 assists and 101 points in 93 games. His rookie season (2005-06) was split between the Roanoke Valley Vipers and the Fort Wayne Komets, both of the United Hockey League (UHL) where he totaled 37 goals and 33 assists in 74 games.

Lachapelle, 27, is the lone player involved in the trade that was not a CHL All-Star last year despite putting up all-star type numbers. The Tay Township, Ontario native put up career highs in assists (30), points (47) and penalty minutes (239) while notching 17 goals in just 50 games played. He finished third on the Oilers with 47 points and had six points (4-2=6) in five games versus Youngstown. The 5-9, 185-pound center is one of the top agitators in the CHL getting opponents off their game night-in-and-night-out. His professional career consists of 199 games, 54 goals, 67 assists, 121 points and 587 penalty minutes.

"These two players bring so much to the table," said Kaminski. "Mike (Wiggins) can score goals in his sleep and is just that natural finisher that is hard to find and something we lacked last season. He goes to the net and has incredible hockey sense, a very smart player. Bryan (Lachapelle) is my kind of player. He gets under the skin of the opponent and is one of those guys that you hate to play against but love to have on your team. His progress last season offensively was remarkable averaging a point a game. He is truly one of the more well-rounded players both offensively and defensively in our league."

Dulle, 27, has enjoyed great success over his two seasons in the CHL and is coming off a career year. In 60 games, the Craik, Saskatchewan native scored seven goals and had 33 assists with 113 penalty minutes while splitting time with Rio Grande Valley and Tulsa. The 5-11, 196-pound blueliner was a part of another five player trade on January 11th, 2007 that sent himself, Bill Newson and Jamie Lovell to the Oilers, while David Masse and Matt Medley packed their bags and headed to the Killer Bees. In 33 games with the Oilers, Dulle posted 24 assists and is one of the more gifted offensive defensemen in the CHL. His collegiate hockey was played at the University of Regina where he finished with 155 games played, 21 goals, 71 assists, 92 points and 304 penalty minutes.

Virtue, 36, has had a very distinguished professional career that includes five games played in the National Hockey League (NHL) seeing games with the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers. The Scarborough, Ontario native played 51 games in the CHL last season with the Austin Ice Bats scoring nine goals with 24 assists ranking him among the top scoring defensemen in the league at the time that he left the Ice Bats and signed with the American Hockey League's Binghamton Senators. With the "baby" Sens, Virtue posted five points (1-4=5) in 23 games.

In his career, the 6-0, 195-pound defenseman has played in an amazing 1153 games scoring 117 goals, 454 assists totaling 571 points and 2419 penalty minutes. He has also had great post-season success winning back-to-back Calder Cups with the Providence Bruins (1998-99) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (1999-2000). In 115 career playoff games, Virtue has notched 60 points (10-50=60) with 302 penalty minutes.

The veteran ranks 10th among the AHL's all-time penalty minute leaders (1856) and 14th on the AHL's all-time games played list (888).

"Our defensive unit takes a big step in the right direction with the acquisition of Kurtis (Dulle) and Terry (Virtue)," said Kaminski. "Kurtis is a budding superstar in the CHL and has already made people take notice. He has great vision and speed and can really quarterback your special teams. What can you say about the leadership and experience Terry brings to the team? He has been there and done that with some of the best players in the world and has accomplished just about everything there is to accomplish. He will be a great inspiration to our young players and will be a game changing asset when it comes playoff time."

To complete the deal, the Hounds part with Christian (the franchise's all-time leading scorer and reigning CHL Most Valuable Player). The 36-year-old forward paced the Hounds with two straight 100-point seasons and along with center Chris Richards was one of the most feared duo in the CHL.

"As a franchise, we will miss what Jeff brought on the ice and maybe even more what his presence in the community meant to the Mahoning Valley," said SteelHounds General Manager Joe Gregory. "He will forever be a part of the SteelHounds family and as an organization we wish him and his family nothing but the best in Tulsa."

Season tickets for the SteelHounds 2007-08 season are currently available and your seats can be reserved with a $100 deposit. The Hounds begin their third season in the Central Hockey League in October.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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