Icehawks Sign Two Forwards As Camp Opens

Published on October 6, 2008 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks announce that they have rounded out their training camp roster and signed forwards Nick Lindberg and Matt Larke as they opened camp this morning at McMorran Arena.

The signings help to fill spots vacated by centers Rob Valicevic and Jeff Bateman, who will not be with the team when camp opens. Both players were recently offered jobs outside of hockey and made the decision to retire from the sport.

"I am happy for Rob and Jeff and their families. Life after hockey is inevitable," Head Coach and General Manager Stan Drulia said. "Both were presented with opportunities that they could not pass up. We will move on and continue our quest to win the Turner Cup."

Lindberg (5-11, 190 lbs) is a center who brings four years of professional experience to the Icehawks, including two seasons in the East Coast Hockey League and most recently, two seasons with the Corpus Christi Rayz in the Central Hockey League. He averaged a point per game for the Rayz last season, with 40 points (16g, 24a) in 42 games. In the 2006-07 season, he tallied 39 points (19g, 20a) in the regular season and also turned in 11 points (4g, 7a) in 12 games as the Rayz advanced to the President's Cup Finals.

The 28-year old native of Stockholm, Sweden turned professional with the ECHL Pensacola Ice Pilots. He played two seasons with the team (2004-06) and averaged 40 points per season.

"Nick is a solid two-way player that will impact our team immediately," Drulia said. "He is a point a game guy that can play in every situation. We are thrilled he will be wearing an Icehawks jersey this season."

"He was a player that we went after at the beginning of the summer. Through some long and good discussions with his agent Mark Feinsod of Elite Sports Management Group, we were able to get a deal done. As an agent, he really wanted Nick in a great situation, which you must respect."

Larke (6-0, 200 lbs) is a native of Oxford, Michigan with junior league experience, including seasons with the Traverse City North Stars (6-0, 190) and the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets (USHL).

The Icehawks have also signed defenseman Wes Baughman and forward Rick Ferroni to tryout agreements for training camp. They join goalies Mike Stone and Andre Laperriere and forwards Rory Smith and Frank Furdero as players on tryout agreements that will fight for jobs during camp.

The Icehawks open training camp with 27 players, including 14 forwards, nine defenseman and four goalies. The line-up includes returning players Tab Lardner (F), Jeff Zehr (F), Larry Sterling (G), Jamie Lovell (D), Kris Vernarsky (F), Jamie Carroll (F), Jeremy Tucker (F), Robert Cowan (D) Kerry Bowman (F), Derek Merlini (D) and B.J. Adams (F), as well as newcomers Jason Chafe (F), Paul Yovanic (F), Jason Selleke (F), Ian Turner (D), Daniel Tetrault (D), Justin Gutwald (D), Brett Aimone (D), Mike Minard (G), Mike Stone (G), Andre Laperriere (G), Wes Baughman (D), Rick Ferroni (F), Rory Smith (F), Frank Furdero (F), Nick Lindberg (F) and Matt Larke (F).

The Icehawks hit the ice for the first time on Monday morning from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Training camp continues with workouts from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday. The team will also practice from 10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday prior to a pair of exhibition games with the Flint Generals. All training camp practices are open to the public.

Port Huron hosts Flint on Friday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. Manon Rheaume, the only woman ever to play in the National Hockey League, will play in the first period of the game. Tickets are just $5 and the first 500 fans will receive a free Manon Rheaume poster.

The Icehawks head to Flint on Saturday, October 11 to wrap up the home and home preseason series.

The Icehawks open the International Hockey League regular season with a Turner Cup Finals rematch versus the Fort Wayne Komets at home on Friday, October 17. Single game tickets and flex packages will be on sale October 1 at the Icehawks office, 325 Huron Avenue, Port Huron. For more information, please call the Icehawks office at 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 6, 2008


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.

OurSports Central