RiverHawks Sign NHL Draft Pick Matt Auffrey for the 2010-11 Season

Published on August 4, 2010 under SPHL (SPHL)
Augusta RiverHawks News Release


The Augusta RiverHawks Hockey Club today made a big splash by announcing the signing of forward Matt Auffrey for the 2010-11 season. Auffrey, 24, is a bruising power forward who has made appearances in the American Hockey League, International Hockey League, and the East Coast Hockey League, most notably as a key member of the 2007-08 and 2008-09 Augusta Lynx. He will be introduced to the fans Thursday, August 5th at a meet and greet event at Malibu Jacks (231 Fury's Ferry Station Augusta, GA). The event starts at 6pm.

"We are extremely excited to add Matt to our roster," said RiverHawks Head Coach Brad Ralph. "With his size, work ethic, and skill he is the kind of player we can build our team around. He has a fantastic attitude, and wants to be a leader on this team."

Auffrey is very excited to be back playing hockey in the CSRA.

"I was extremely comfortable and happy in Augusta my first time here, so I'm very pleased to be able to call it home," said Auffrey. "I'm looking forward to putting down roots and being a part of this community. It is a great place to live!"

As a fourth year player and a former Alternate Captain, Auffrey will be looked upon as a leader for an expansion RiverHawks team looking to make a splash in the SPHL in their first year.

"I will absolutely be a 'lead-by-example' guy and will strive to make a positive impact on and off the ice," said Auffrey. "We want to make the James Brown Arena a difficult place to play for the other teams. I know the great fans here will do their part, and I look forward to doing mine on the ice."

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Auffrey was a 6th-round selection of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He played one season with the University of Wisconsin before moving transferring to junior hockey and the fabled Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. He spent another season in the OHL while also playing his first two professional games in the American Hockey League where he picked up an assist.

Auffrey started his pro-career in earnest right here in Augusta, playing for the Augusta Lynx in 2007-08. Here he was a key member of the squad, picking up 25 goals and 25 assists, while being a physical force and racking up 92 penalty minutes. The following season Auffrey was named Alternate Captain of the Lynx scoring 11 points in 17 games before moving on to the Florida Everblades. That season he again made the jump to the AHL, performing in a similar fashion picking up an assist.

Auffrey finished the 2008-09 season with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL. In 2009-10 Dayton joined the IHL and they kept Auffrey as a key piece of the new franchise. He played 54 games there before being traded to Port Huron to finish the season, where he scored 10 points in 15 games.

The RiverHawks' inaugural season will begin with a weekend extravaganza October 22nd and 23rd. Information on season tickets and sponsorships for the 2010-11 season are available by visiting www.augustariverhawks.com and clicking on "Augusta Hockey", or by calling 706-993-2645.

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