Add two more to the Brahmas goaltending competition
October 1, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
Fort Worth- The field for the race for the Ft. Worth Brahmas two goaltending jobs this season grew to five on Monday evening with the addition of two more netminders to the Brahmas training camp roster.
Cameron MacDonald, who played with the Brahmas during the 2001-02 season, was signed to a tryout agreement. Cory Batten, a former Ontario Hockey League standout, who last played with the Birmingham Bulls (ECHL) in the spring of 2001, was signed to a contract.
MacDonald and Batten will compete for roster spots with the other three goaltenders--Martin Fillion, Matt Mullin and Scott Roche--already under contract with the Brahmas. Fillion and Mullin agreed to terms on September 19th, and Roche signed on July 16th.
"I think players show their best when they are pushed," Lalonde said. "With this number of talented goaltenders in camp, they will definitely push each other to achieve more."
MacDonald, who was used as a back up to All Star goaltender Kory Cooper last year with the Brahmas, recorded a 2-3-1 record with a 4.23 goals-against average an 0.884 saves percentage during the 2001-02 season. In his three seasons as a professional, the 5'11, 180 pound native of Beaverton, Ontario has compiled a 6-9-3 record with a 4.76 goals-against average and a 0.869 saves percentage.
"Cam is a good guy to have in the locker room, and he does the most with the opportunities he has been given," Lalonde said. "I'm looking forward to seeing his progression from last season."
Batten, 6'2", 215, did not play last season due to personal reasons. He turned pro in the 2000-2001 season with Birmingham. In four games played with the Bulls, Batten allowed only 2.77 goals a game and tallied a 0.919 saves percentage.
In three years of major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League, the 22-year old garnered a 42-51-6 record, including a 20-win season in 1999-00 with the Belleville Bulls.
"Batten certainly has the talent to push some of the veteran goaltenders we' ve already signed," Lalonde said. "If he can play well and up to the ability that he showed in junior, he'll end up being a solid performer in this league."
The signing of Batten gives the Brahmas 20 players under contract for the 2002-03 season. Kyle Reeves (RW), Chad Woollard (LW), Adam Davis (D), Ryan Rivard (LW), Chad Michalchuk (LW), Chad Grills (C), Joe Van Volsen (C), Jason Reesor (C), Jim Midgley (C), Justin Williams (F), Brant Somerville (D), David Fry (F), Darren Curry (D), David Bourque (D), Lee Jacobson (D), Jeff Washbrook (D), Scott Roche (G), Matt Mullin (G), Martin Fillion (G)have already inked contracts with the Brahmas this season. MacDonald joins defenseman Justin Seaborg on the Brahmas roster with a tryout agreement. Curry, Rivard, Midgley, Williams, Jacobson, Somerville and Seaborg are all rookies on the Brahmas roster. Reeves, Grills, Van Volsen and Michalchuk will take four of the five CHL allotted veteran spots on the Brahmas roster for players with more than 260 professional regular season games played.
The Brahmas will begin their sixth season, and second in the CHL, on Oct. 18 with a road game against the Wichita Thunder. Fort Worth's home opener is scheduled for Nov. 2 against the Indianapolis Ice. Season ticket and advertising packages remain on sale. For more information, please contact the Brahmas office at (817) 336-4423.
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