Spitfires Add Manchurek, Part With Cobham, Hughes and Milne
September 1, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Windsor Spitfires News Release
General Manager Warren Rychel is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Manchurek to the Spitfires organization, signing the Tecumseh native to a standard OHL player agreement.
Manchurek spent the 2013-14 season with the LaSalle Vipers of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League after going undrafted in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection for a second straight time; a development that allowed Rychel to him to the club's 50-man protected list back in November of 2013. In 39 games with the Vipers, the 6'1, 191-pound left winger scored 31 goals and added 34 assists for 65 points, playing primarily on a line with Dylan Denomme and Aaron Luchuk. He added another five goals and seven assists in nine playoff games.
While at the club's recently completed training camp, Rychel was impressed with not only Manchurek's efforts on the ice, but also off the ice; as the 18-year-old finished first overall in extensive fitness testing.
"I give mark a lot of credit," Rychel said. "He came in as a free agent and won a job by showing a high-level of committment. His play at camp was all-around very good. He won the fitness testing. All of that combined resulted in him making the team." Manchurek is one of three triplet brothers. Brother Joey is set to enter his second season with the Oshawa Generals, while Robbie, a Kitchener Rangers draft pick, played at Ridley College last year.
SEVEN MORE RELEASED FROM CAMP
Rychel also announced the club's roster has been trimmed to 24.
The club has released John Jeffries, Chris Cobham, Cameron Hughes and Brody Milne, while assigning Daniel Mainella, Eli Billing and Nick Gauvin to the LaSalle Vipers.
Cobham, drafted in the 10th Round of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection (188th) overall, played in 40 games with the Spitfires, scoring one goal with 23 penalty minutes.
Hughes, an 8th Round pick (148th overall) in 2012 was signed on June 1, 2013 after an impressive stint at the club's rookie camp. He dressed for 34 games last year, totalling no points and 14 penalty minutes.
Milne was acquired in the trade that sent Kerby Rychel and Nick Ebert to the Guelph Storm back on December 3rd, 2013. In 40 games with the Spitfires, he put up nine goals, six assists and 29 penalty minutes.
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