Barracudas off and running with two major signings

Published on June 27, 2006 under SPHL (SPHL)
Jacksonville Barracudas News Release


The Jacksonville Barracudas were excited to announce the re-signing of two key players, Patrick Doherty and Ryan Webb. After coming to the team last year mid-season the two forwards will return for their second year with the Cudas and are looking to get their first taste of the playoffs with the team.

STACKED STATS: Patrick Doherty

Position: Forward

Height: 6'1

Weight: 190 lbs

DOB: 7/13/1982

Hometown: Wakefield, MA

Season Team GP G A Pts PIM

2005-06 Barracudas 28 12 13 25 16

2005-06 Cyclones 27 13 8 21

A Closer Look...

The Barracudas acquired Doherty through a trade with the Pee Dee Cyclones, in exchange for forward Geoff Rollins. Doherty, who also produced great results with the Cyclones, 13 goals, 8 assists in 27 games, finished the season strong with the Cudas, finishing with 12 goals and 13 assists in 28 games. He proved to be one of the top rookies in the SPHL, and a player to watch. In fact, Doherty finished in the top 5 of rookies in points with an impressive final tally of 46.

Before his professional career Doherty had already established himself as a hard-working team leader. After his four years at Southern New Hampshire University, Doherty walked away with 56 goals and 46 assists in 104 games. During his senior year Doherty scored 26 goals, 13 of them on power plays, and had 21 assists in only 28 games and was named the Northeast-10 Player of the Year for the 04-05 season. In that same year he also made the NE-10 All-Star team and helped lead the Penmen to the Northeast finals.

Doherty established himself as a leader not only with the Barracudas, but in the community as well.

"He made it known to the front office early on that he was willing to do anything and everything to get involved with the children in the local community," said Barracudas Director of Public Relations Ken Vezina. "He quickly established relationships with local organizations and schools like Nemours Children's Hospital and John Stockton Elementary, and made a lot of fans along the way."

"He's a PR-dream, and over the course of an entire season, will become a definite fan favorite here in Jacksonville."

STACKED STATS: Ryan Webb

Position: Forward

Height: 6'0

Weight: 190 lbs

DOB: 3/3/1982

Hometown: Pontiac, MI

Season Team GP G A Pts PIM

2005-06 Barracudas 35 24 22 46 59

A Closer Look...

Ryan Webb signed with the Barracudas on December 17th, 2005 as a free agent after playing with the Flint Generals of the United Hockey League and also a short stint with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. Webb seems to have finally found himself at home with the Cudas having a standout season and finishing with 24 goals and 22 assists in only 35 games. With his surprising speed and his playmaking ability Webb has established himself as one of the SPHL's most feared offensive threats. Webb, like Doherty, finished with 46 points and can also count himself among the top five rookies in points for the 05-06 season.

In his earlier years, Ryan Webb played in the elite United States Hockey League, the most prestigious junior hockey league in the US and the only Tier I junior league within the United States. He also was a member of the 1999 Team USA and helped lead the Pittsburgh Forge of the NAHL to a Junior A national championship in 2003. At Utica College in Utica, NY, Webb had 15 goals and 26 assists in 03-04 and 7 goals and 10 assists in 04-05 for a remarkable career total of 58 points in only 51 games.

General Manager Gilles Richard's statement reflects the club's excitement over the signing when he says, "Ryan proved that he was among the best offensive talents in the league. We are excited to see the sort of production he can put op over an entire season in this league."

Webb also proved to be valuable in the community, and the effort and tenacity he displayed on the ice with the Cudas made him an instant fan favorite. His signing immediately gives the Cudas talent to compete with any team in the SPHL.

With the official start of the 2006-2007 season coming quickly, the Cudas are looking forward to Ryan Webb and Patrick Doherty, no longer rookies, getting on the ice and showing what they can do.

AROUND THE SPHL

Florida Seals: The Seals have announced the signing of two more players, veteran defenseman Art Mnatsakanov and rookie winger Chad Haacke. This will be Mnatsakanov's 2nd season with the Seals and his 4th season with Head Coach Tommy Stewart behind him. Last season Mnatsakanov posted 6 goals and 26 assists, for a final total of 32 points. Haacke will also join the Seal's roster, coming to the team from the St.Hyacinthe Cristal in the LNAH where he had 6 goals and 5 assists in 24 games.

Pee Dee Cyclones: Eric Naud, the 28 year old LaSalle, Quebec, Canada, native has announced his retirement. The former left-winger will start his new position as assistant coach for the Cyclones, becoming the first assistant coach the Cyclone have ever had. Naud started

playing with the Cyclones in the 00-01 season and finished the 05-06 season with 13 goals and 23 assists. His jersey, number 20, will be retired at the first home game of the upcoming 06-07 season.

AROUND THE HOCKEY WORLD

With the Stanley Cup finding it's home in Carolina, and the NHL Awards being doled out, the hockey world turned it's focus to the 2006 NHL Entry Draft held in Vancouver, BC. While, there was no one Crosby or Ovechkin-level star to be plucked in this year's draft, there was plenty of intrigue with a solid top-five that has scouts drooling, and the usual trade rumors that swirl every year at this time.

The St. Louis Blues held the first overall selection, and they surprised no one, drafting highly regarded American defenseman Erik Johnson. Next up were the Pittsburgh Penguins, who drafted center Jordan Staal, younger brother of Hurricanes' star forward Eric Staal. The Washington Capitals selected Swedish star Nicklas Backstrom with the third pick, and the Chicago Blackhawks followed that selection by selecting Jonathan Towes. Towes is a center who's leadership qualities have led scouts to liken him to a young Steve Yzerman (rather large shoes to fill for an 18 year old). The final pick of the top-5 went to the Boston Bruins, and it was an intriguing one, as they selected American Phil Kessell. Kessell has question marks surrounding his work ethic and attitude off the ice, but is widely considered the top offensive force available in the draft.

Trade followers were not disappointed this year, as the Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks dropped a bomb on the NHL the night before the draft. The Panthers dealt Roberto Luongo, quite possibly the best goaltender in the world, to the Canucks along with defenseman Lukas Krajcek. In return they received much-maligned star power forward Todd Bertuzzi, young stud defenseman Bryan Allen, and fast rising goaltender Alex Auld.

More player movement can be expected shortly, as the Unrestricted Free Agent signing period kicks off July 1st. With the NHL increasing it's salary cap to $44 million, and with big names such as Zdeno Chara, Rob Blake, and Patrick Elias being available, die-hard hockey fans can anticipate some big moves in the near future.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



SPHL Stories from June 27, 2006


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.

OurSports Central