Beauregard Headlines Jackals Picks In Second UHL Dispersal Draft
June 15, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Elmira, NY - The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have acquired the rights of forwards David-Alexander Beauregard and Ryan Bennett, along with defensemen Scott Drevitch, Matt Smith and Eric Lind in the UHL's second dispersal draft of the off season. This draft was necessitated when Adirondack and Danbury both announced plans to cease operations for the 2006-2007 season.
With their first round pick (3rd overall) Jackals General Manager Robbie S. Nichols selected left wing David-Alexander Beauregard from the Danbury Trashers. Beauregard started the 2005-06 season with the Roanoke Valley Vipers, before being traded to Danbury in mid March. The 31-year old native of Montreal, Quebec native combined between the two teams for 93 points (31 goals, 52 assists) in 70 games this season. He was also named the Most Valuable Player of the UHL's All Star Classic, scoring 4 goals in the game, all assisted by Jackals rookie sensation Jarrett Konkle. Beauregard also helped Danbury to the Colonial Cup Finals this season, scoring 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) in 18 playoff games. He was also named to the Second Team of UHL All-Stars selected at the end of the regular season. Beauregard has made a living as a goal scorer. In 628 professional hockey games, the 6'0" 190 lbs winger has 384 career goals and 298 assists, an average of almost 1.1 points per game. He was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the 11th round (271 overall) in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.
"I am thrilled with the five players we received in today's dispersal draft," said Jackals General Manager Robbie S. Nichols. "That is step one, now I would love to get these guys signed and wearing the Jackals uniform, representing the Beast of the East."
Elmira fans will be very familiar with the Jackals 2nd pick in this dispersal draft, Right wing Ryan Bennett from the Adirondack Frostbite. The 24-year old from Queensbury, New York just completed his 2nd season in pro hockey with Adirondack. He started the 2005-06 season with the ECHL's Augusta Lynx, before coming back to Glens Falls, where he spent his entire rookie season in 2004-05. Bennett also appeared in 6 games with the AHL's Portland Pirates, his second stint at the next level. Combined between the three clubs this season, Bennett had 55 points (25 goals, 30 assists) in 70 games played. Not only can he put points on the scoreboard, but Bennett is known for his defense. He was +12 this season for Adirondack and scored two shorthanded goals; in his rookie year 2004-05, he had 5 short-handed goals and was +32.
With their 3rd round pick, Nichols chose 6'6", 235 lbs defenseman Matt Smith. A native of Kent, England, Smith played this season for the Motor City Mechanics, but was acquired by Adirondack in the first dispersal draft. The 29-year old had 40 points (21 goals, 19 assists) and 120 PIMs in 69 games for Motor City this year; he also appeared in one game for the AHL's Cleveland Barons. Smith has been a journeyman in his 9 seasons as a professional, playing in the ECHL, AHL, CHL, UHL, Italy, Germany and Finland.
Well known Adirondack defenseman Scott Drevitch was taken by Elmira in the 4th round of the dispersal draft. The 40-year old from Brookline, Massachusetts had 58 points (14 goal, 44 assists) in 70 games for the Frostbite this season. He has twice been named to the UHL's Second Team All-Stars in 2002-03 and 2004-05. Drevitch has recorded some monumental numbers in his 18-year professional career. In 1,124 games played, he has 984 points (223 goals, 761 assists) and 997 PIMs, even though he only averages 55 penalty minutes per year. Drevitch has played in leagues all over North America and Europe. He has spent time in the AHL, UHL, ECHL, WCHL and IHL, along with Holland, Sweden and Austria.
In the 5th and final round of the draft, Elmira gained the rights to Danbury defenseman Eric Lind. Lind, a Stamford, Connecticut native, was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 9th round (234th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He appeared in 18 games for the Trashers this season, scoring 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists), but did not see any action in the playoffs. He has 63 points (19 goals, 44 assists) in 238 career pro games. The 6'2" 195 lbs 28 year old played 4-years of Division I College hockey for the University of New Hampshire, a perennial powerhouse in Hockey East.
Today's dispersal draft was held via teleconference, conducted to disperse players from the 2005-06 final rosters of the Danbury Trashers and the Adirondack Frostbite who will not participate in the 2006-07 season. The draft order was based on the final regular season standings with the lowest ranked team choosing first. As an expansion club, the Bloomington Prairie Thunder received the first overall selection. The Jackals had the third pick in each round.
After completing their 6th season in franchise history in the UHL, the Jackals are gearing up for Season 7. Season tickets for the 2006-2007 UHL season are on sale now at the First Arena Box Office. For more information call 607-734-PUCK (7825).
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from June 15, 2006
- Fury pick five players in dispersal draft - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Beauregard Headlines Jackals Picks In Second UHL Dispersal Draft - Elmira Jackals
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