Pensacola Ice Flyers Sign Rookie Defenseman Jeremy Gates
July 31, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Pensacola Ice Flyers News Release
Pensacola, Fla. - July 31, 2012 - The head coach of the Pensacola Ice Flyers, Gary Graham, has announced the first rookie signing for the 2012-13 season after defenseman Jeremy Gates from Neumann College agreed to terms with the Ice Flyers.
Gates, having played three seasons with the Neumann Knights of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC), tallied 32 points in 59 games. During his 2008-09 season at Neumann, Gates won the NCAA Division III national championship.
"My dream is coming true for the opportunity to play professional hockey, and I'm extremely excited to represent the Ice Flyers organization," Gates stated. "I understand the privilege and opportunity coach Graham is giving me, and I look forward to putting on an Ice Flyer uniform and contributing to a successful season."
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Gates, a native of Jackson, Mich., played junior hockey for the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). Gates scored 16 goals and added 56 assists for 72 points in 94 games. He won two league championships in 2007 and 2008, and went on to compete in a national championship for the 2007 Royal Bank Cup for the Lumber Kings.
"Gates has a history of winning and comes from a very strong Division III program as well as junior program that are nationally ranked consistently," Graham added. "He knows what it takes to win championships and those are the type of players that we are bringing to Pensacola. He has the size, speed and skill that will have an impact on the blue line.
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