Beechey, Phillips and Sauer sign qualifying offers

August 2, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release


Pensacola, Fla. – The Pensacola Ice Pilots, under the ownership group of Hockey Enterprises of Pensacola L.L.C. with owner Tim Kerr, announced that forward Tyler Beechey, forward Aaron Phillips and defenseman Kent Sauer have signed qualifying offers for the 2004-2005 season.

Beechey, who stands 5'11" and weighs 185 pounds, played in 69 games for the Ice Pilots last year during the regular season finishing second on the team with 25 goals, 35 assists and 60 points. He was the top goal scorer and scored the most points for the Ice Pilots in the five Kelly Cup playoff games with three goals and five points to go along with his two assists.

Beechey played in 51 games for the Trenton Titans of the ECHL during the 2002-2003 season scoring 8 goals, 38 assists for 46 points and picked up 33 penalty minutes and played in three games for Providence of the AHL scoring two goals, one assist for three points and two penalty minutes.

Beechey played his junior hockey from 1997-2002 for Edmonton, Kootenay and Calgary in the WHL. His last season in juniors with Calgary, Beechey scored 44 goals, 53 assists for 97 points and picked up 91 penalty minutes in 67 games played. He is 23 years old from Edmonton, Alberta and shoots left.

"It is great to have Tyler Beechey back. We are expecting him to be one of the offensive catalysts on the team this season and he is a great character guy," said Ice Pilots Head Coach Dave Farrish.

Phillips, who stands 6'1" and weighs 195 pounds, played in 70 games for the Ice Pilots last year during the regular season scoring 20 goals, 21 assists for 41 points and picked up 42 penalty minutes and played in five games during the Kelly Cup Playoffs scoring two goals, one assist for three points.

Phillips played in 76 games for Elmira in the UHL during the 2002-2003 season scoring 33 goals, 42 assists for 75 points and picked up 67 penalty minutes. He played in 38 games for El Paso of the Central Hockey League during the 2001-2002 season scoring 17 goals, 12 assists for 29 points and picked up 20 penalty minutes.

Phillips played his college hockey at Lake Superior State University from 1999-2002. He is 25 years old from Hawarden, Saskatchewan and shoots right.

"We are expecting some big things from Aaron this season. I saw some great things from him on the ice last year and I'm looking forward to him having a break out season this year," said Farrish.

With forward Dwayne Hay already signed, the Ice Pilots can possibly have a line of Hay, Beechey and Phillips together which was for 15 to 20 games last year. "It is great to have some familiar faces and a line of Beechey, Phillips and Hay is something that we will look at during training camp," added Farrish.

Sauer, who stands 6'3" and weighs 230 pounds, played in 61 games during the regular season for the Ice Pilots last year scoring 4 goals, 12 assists for 16 points and picked up 94 penalty minutes and played in all five Kelly Cup Playoff games picking up four penalty minutes.

Sauer played in 59 games for Cincinnati in the ECHL during the 2001-2002 season scoring one goal, four assists for five points and picked up 48 penalty minutes and played in four games with Milwaukee of the AHL picking up two penalty minutes.

Sauer has also played for New Orleans of the ECHL and Milwaukee in the IHL. He played in 65 games for Portland of the WHL during the 1999-2000 season scoring 12 goals, 13 assists for 25 points and picked up 116 penalty minutes. Sauer also played at the University of Minnesota-Deluth and North-Iowa of the USHL.

Sauer, who is 25 years old, was selected by the Nashville Predators in round four and the 88th overall player taken in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He is from Sartell, Minnesota and shoots right.

"Kent is a solid defensive player and has proven leadership qualities both on and off the ice. It is great to have him back for this season as he will help us out on defense," said Farrish.

The Ice Pilots under new Head Coach Dave Farrish will begin the 2004-2005 regular season at Mississippi on October 23 and play their home opener Saturday, October 30 vs. the Kelly Cup Finalists Florida Everblades at 7:05 p.m.

Season tickets for all 36 home games for floor and glass seats are $649.44, side seats are $459.00, goal seats and lower upper seats are $411.84 and upper seats cost $324.00 16 game plans, 8 game plans and flex packs also are available. Fans can call the Ice Pilots office at 432-7825 for season ticket and corporate sponsorship information.



ECHL Stories from August 2, 2004


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