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Barracudas update

September 18, 2006 - SPHL (SPHL)
Jacksonville Barracudas News Release


The evening temperatures are beginning to dip from sweltering to simply hot, and that can only mean one thing. The hockey season is underway! Updates have been slow for the past month as the Barracudas' front office hurriedly prepare for the upcoming season, but with SPHL League Meetings underway and NHL camps opening up this past weekend, now is a great time to get the ball rolling once again!

CUDAS FILLING OUT TRAINING CAMP ROSTER

The Barracudas are expecting a spirited and competitive training camp this season, highlighted with a pre-season game in Florence, SC on October 21st against the Pee Dee Cyclones. After missing the playoffs last season, Coach Allain has plenty of spots for the taking. However, there will be a number of familiar faces for Barracudas fans when training camp begins on the 18th.

The Barracudas are allowed to bring 30 players to camp, and Coach Allain and GM Richard hope that the team's free agent evaluation camp this week in Bourne, MA helps to fill a few spots. The Cudas currently have a solid core, with flexibility to make some key additions as camp nears.

FORWARDS

Greg Lecolst 6'0 180lbs Middleton, MA

Greg is entering his fourth season with the Barracudas, and is expected to do so at his natural forward position. Proving his versatility by playing defense over the course of the past two seasons, the Barracudas will be leaning on him for his leadership, character, and goal-scoring abilities.

Jason Simon 6'1 225lbs Sarnia, ON

Jason will be suiting up for his second season with the Barracudas. The former NHL'er scored 15 goals last season, and was the team's captain.

Patrick Doherty 6'1 190lbs Wakefield, MA

A mid-season pickup for the Barracudas last season, Doherty quickly proved himself to be one of the league's top rookies. The Barracudas look forward to him taking another step forward, and becoming a reliable source of offense.

Ryan Webb 6'0 190lbs Pontiac, MI

Ryan was an electrifying offensive player for the Barracudas last season, after being acquired mid-way through the season. Webb led the team with 24 goals, and has a chance to become one of the premier offensive talents in the SPHL this season.

Garrett Summerfield 5'11 175lbs Endicott, NY

Garrett is returning for his second season with the Club, joining the Barracudas late last season, but leaving a lasting impression. The gutsy forward displayed an endless work ethic and great character in his short stint with the team, and he has a chance to establish himself as part of a hard-working, hard-nosed core of forwards.

Guy Come

A sparkplug, tank, and offensive wizard is what Come has been referred to since being signed by the Cudas. A former Division III NCAA star, Guy comes equipped with top-end offensive skills and vision. Look for him to battle for a spot among the team's offensive elite.

Brad Hawkins 6'0 195lbs Nepean, ON

Hawkins looks to reestablish himself in the SPHL, after spending a season with the Knoxville Ice Bears in 2004-2005. A former star at Marian College, Hawkins will be looked upon to apply his two-way skills in order to add depth to the Barracudas' forward ranks.

Jeff Angelidis 5'8 165lbs Toronto, ON

Another elite offensive talent, Jeff is was a star forward from Elmira College, the same school that produced the likes of former Barracuda forward Jason Silverthorn. Though slight in stature, Angelidis has incredible vision and playmaking ability. He's ready to continue his North American pro-career after spending a few seasons in Europe.

Ryan Thompson 6'1 170lbs Fort Erie, ON

Ryan is bound to quickly become a fan favorite among Cuda followers. A veteran of one of the world's elite junior leagues, the Ontario Hockey League, Thompson is a gritty, hard-working forward who has been through the Canadian junior wars. Another gritty, hard-nosed forward, he played against Coach Allain's Peterborough Petes in the OHL, and clearly made an impression.

Josh McNair 6'0 195lbs Sudbury, ON

A star in the Tier 2 Ontario junior ranks, Josh looks forward to winning a spot on the Barracudas and beginning his professional career.

DEFENSE

Martin Viazanica 6'2 200lbs Bystrika, SL

Arguably the Cudas' best defenseman last season, Viazanica is back for his second stint with the Cudas. Martin plays a quiet, steady defensive game, has good mobility, and is not afraid of the rough stuff. The Cudas look for him to be a fixture on the blue line this season.

Derek McKinlay 6'1 200lbs Port Franks, ON

Possibly the Barracudas' top off-season acquisition, McKinlay is a proven competitor at the SPHL level, starring for the Huntsville Havoc in 2004-2005. After the Barracudas acquired his rights in a trade last season, McKinlay caught on with the Memphis Riverkings of the CHL. A tough, defensive-minded player, McKinlay has the opportunity to be one of the league's top defensemen once again.

Shane Wagner 6'0 190lbs Stillwater, MN

Shane's solid, steady play once he joined the Barracudas late last season earned him an invitation to camp this season. A gritty defenseman with good mobility, Shane has a chance to be a key member of the blue line.

John Fieweger 6'5 225lbs

This towering defenseman had a stint with the Barracudas last season, along with playing over 30 games in the East Coast Hockey League. He'll be looked upon to make the Barracudas' zone a dangerous one for opposing forwards.

Kurt Walsten 6'0 215lbs Kenora, ON

A long-time veteran of North American minor league hockey, Walsten is a tough customer with a ton of experience. He adds size and toughness to the Cudas' blueline.

Dan Hickman 5'9 190lbs Hamden, CT

Another sparkplug-type of player, Hickman displayed great speed and determination in his stint with the Cudas last season. If he can prove to win battles along the boards, and move the puck effectively out of the Cudas' zone, he has a chance to win a spot on the blue line.

GOALTENDERS

Matt Meacham 6'1 185lbs Massena, NY

Despite facing a shooting gallery worth of shots, Meacham turned some heads with his steady play for the Barracudas at end of last season. He will be competing for the starter's job again this season.

Jamie Tompkins

A veteran of the competitive Eastern Ontario Senior League, Topkins will be battling hard for one of the goaltending spots this season. From all accounts a solid, steady goaltender with big-save ability, he may be a diamond in the rough for Coach Allain.

BARRACUDAS PREPARE FOR RE-LAUNCH OF JAXCUDAS.COM

Updates to the website have also been few and far between, as the Barracudas prepare for the re-launch of jaxcudas.com! The Barracudas are proud to have teamed up with the talented folks at Geer Services for the 2006-2007 season. Geer Services has completely redesigned the website, making it easier for the visitor to navigate, allowing the Barracudas staff to update the site quicker and more regularly, and adding exciting features to the site that will bring the fans closer to the team than ever! New features include:

- An Online Store where you can buy your favorite Barracudas gear straight from home!

- A multimedia section, with regularly updated photos, videos, and audio throughout the season!

- Full integration with Pointstreak.com, making jaxcudas.com your one stop for all the statistical information on your team!

- Plus much more!

Look for the new JAXCUDAS.COM to be launched in the coming weeks! For more information on Geer Services, visit www.geerservices.com.

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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.

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