Americans gain grit with signing of forward Huculak
Published on August 10, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Allen Americans News Release
ALLEN, TX - The Allen Americans of the Central Hockey League announced that right wing Liam Huculak signed with the club today.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound winger adds more muscle to the already strong Americans' lineup. He joins hard hitters Britt Dougherty and Nathan O'Nabigon on the front line.
Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins describes Huculak as "a big, strong forward that plays with an edge and can skate extremely well considering his size."
Fans can expect the 26-year-old to be a pest on the ice. "My main job is to aggravate the other team," Huculak said Monday.
Huculak was involved in 20 fights in the 2008-09 season with the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors. He had 11 points and 168 penalty minutes in 51 games.
After speaking with the coaching staff, coming to the Americans seemed like a good opportunity for Huculak. "I liked what I heard from [Associate Coach and Director of Player Personnel] Bill McDonald and [Head Coach and GM] Dwight Mullins. It sounded like a really good fit. You get that feeling, you know?"
Not only did the opportunity feel right, but Allen is also a good location to play hockey with its close proximity to three American Hockey League teams located in Austin, Houston and San Antonio.
"I'm looking to move up, and this is a good place for calls to happen," Huculak said.
Huculak was invited to attend the Texas Stars' training camp in September. The Texas Stars are the Dallas Stars' AHL affiliate in Cedar Park near Austin. Huculak will see a familiar face there, as teammate Bruce Graham will be attending as well. Huculak and Graham played together last year for the Condors.
Huculak graduated from Colgate University in 2007, where he played four seasons for the Raiders. The Lethbridge, Alberta, native served as captain during his senior year. Before attending school, Huculak played two seasons in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.
After graduating he signed with ECHL's Idaho Steelheads before being traded to the Columbia Inferno. Next season will be his third year playing professional hockey.
Attached picture courtesy of Michael Duffy/Bakersfield Condors.
The Americans, the Dallas Stars' CHL affiliate, begin play this fall in the newly built Allen Event Center. Season tickets are on sale now, and corporate partnerships are also available. For information, call 972.912.1000 or visit allenamericans.com. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday.
Central Hockey League Stories from August 10, 2009
- Pankewicz retires, becomes assistant coach - Colorado Eagles
- RiverKings In The Mid-South Update - Mississippi RiverKings
- Americans gain grit with signing of forward Huculak - Allen Americans
- CHL-TV To Debut This Season - Mississippi RiverKings
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.
