Bill Zaba signs for 2005-06

Published on August 11, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI.--- As the calendar for the dog days of the summer months and pro hockey's off-season turn into August, the two-time reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury continue their work in a concerted effort to assemble another formidable roster that will, again, contend for the league's most coveted crown. With three league titles spanning the past four seasons and a grand total of an all-time UHL best four championships achieved over the past six calendar years, the Muskegon organization seems to be on the right track in maintaining its royal and regal distinction as the UHL's and all of minor pro hockey's top winning franchise.

Today, the Fury Club Owner and Team President Tony Lisman, in collaboration with Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson, have announced that rugged right wing BILL ZALBA has agreed to terms and inked a new one-year pact with the club for the upcoming 2005-06 UHL campaign. Adhering to club policy, terms of the new contract were not disclosed.

When he arrives for the Fury training camp in early October, ZALBA, 22, will be approaching his second pro season and the inception of his first full season donning the Muskegon garb. The rugged 6-0, 204lb native of Thorold, Ontario enjoyed a particularly strong and effective initial pro campaign in 2004-05; especially prominent and pronounced following his advent to the Muskegon pro hockey community.

Acquired by the Fury shortly after the beginning of the new calendar year on January 3, 2005 from league rival Richmond, in exchange for Muskegon's second selection in the March 2005 UHL North American Amateur Draft, Zalba stepped into the first-place Fury lineup and immediately ignited a much-needed spark that continued to propel his new team to the Central Division, Tarry Cup and Colonial Cup Championships. In 40-games under the Fury employ, he engineered 13-points through 5-goals, 8-assists with 75-PIM and a +1 rating. The right-hand shooting forward demonstrated that he would be clutch when it was crucial as his first two goals came in a key January 9th come-from-behind road win at Motor City where the Fury surmounted a 3-0 shortfall to ultimately prevail, 5-3.

In the playoffs' post-season and the Fury's surge to Colonial Cup IV, the man affectionately referred to as simply "Z," struck in the clutch when it mattered most and , again, it came on a couple of key, comeback winning scenarios; both times in The Finals. His lone goal of the playoffs was the all-important GWG in Game #1 of the Championship Series that saw Muskegon rally from a 3-1 third period deficit to overcome Fort Wayne, 5-3, setting the tone for the remainder of the final round series. He then followed that effort by flashing his skills as a playmaker extraordinaire in the 5th and deciding game when he adeptly and adroitly arranged UHL Colonial Cup MVP Brant Blackned's GWG in a 4-2 triumph for the Fury's second successive title and a 4-games to one series verdict over the Komets.

Two-time Fury "Cup" Coach Nelson is looking forward to having Zalba in his lineup for a full season. "Billy came to us in the middle of the season when we were experiencing a somewhat shorthanded situation with. What we really liked about him was the way he stepped right into our lineup and what an outstanding job he did. He understood his role with the team immediately, playing with a lot of grit while also showing good speed and using it well. But we came away even more impressed with him during our playoffs' run. Despite the fact that he did not have a lot of pro experience, he handled himself exceptionally well and made some important contributions to help us win the championship. Billy had the GWG in Game one of the Finals and delivered a terrific assist on the GWG of the championship game in Fort Wayne. We are looking forward to having Bill Zalba in our lineup for a full season."

Zalba actually launched his first pro season in the UHL with the since-extinct Kansas City Outlaws where, in 29-games, he registered 14-points on 6-goals, 8-assists, along with 66-PIM. Kansas City later dealt him to the Richmond RiverDogs, though he never reported to the Virginia-based squad. That opened the doors for the Fury to swing into action and consummate their trade to secure Zalba's services.

Prior to his pro debut, Zalba starred at Brock U. of the CIAU Canadian Collegiate Conference. In the 2003-04 season, he authored 20-points in 14-games on 8-goals, 12-assists and 27-PIM.

In the 2002-03 campaign, he enjoyed another superb season; this one with his hometown Thorold junior ‘A' team where he amassed 99-points in just 44-games on 51-goals, 48-assists with 82-PIM.

He has also seen significant service in the OHL Major Junior ‘A' with both Owen Sound and Peterborough.

Today's signing of BILL ZALBA brings to eight the number of players currently under contract for the 2005-06 season with all eight representing returnees from Colonial Cup IV. Previously, Muskegon announced the player signings of goaltender CLAYTON POOL; defensemen DAVE VAN DRUNEN, CLAY WILSON; center TODD ROBINSON; right wings ROBIN BOUCHARD, RUSTYN DOLYNY, JASON LAWMASTER.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from August 11, 2005


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