Bird and Bear turned into Fish

February 6, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings announced today the signing of Vancouver, BC native, Ryan Thrussell and Edson, AB native Tyler Shybunka.

Thrussell, 24, played a combined 66 games over three seasons with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds from 2002 to 2005. He recorded 11 goals and 25 assists with the T-Birds. The 6-foot-1, 200-lb Defenceman joins the Salmon Kings in his first ECHL experience.

He has played a combined four seasons in the WHL with the Portland Winter Hawks, Prince Albert Raiders and Tri-City Americans, and one season in the BCHL with the Burnaby Bulldogs.

Thrussell enters the remainder of the ECHL season after playing 10 games with the Stuttgart Wizards of the GerObL, with which he scored one goal and earned three assists.

Shybunka, 27, played a combined 163 games over five seasons with the University of Alberta Golden Bears from 2000 to 2005. He recorded 52 goals and 93 assists with the Bears. The 5-foot-10, 180-lb Forward hits the ECHL ice for the first time in his career.

He has played a combined six seasons in the WHL with the Swift Current Broncos and the Saskatoon Blades. Shybunka tallied 37 points in 36 games with the Bears last season.

Shybunka played 30 games with the Trondheim Ice Hockey Club in Norway before signing with Victoria.

"Ryan and Tyler come from struggling European teams, and were looking for a place to play in Canada. We hope they can help us short and long term," said Salmon Kings Head Coach Troy Ward.

"Although I haven't seen them play, we wanted to give them the opportunity to help us with our quest," said Dan Belisle, Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager for the Salmon Kings. "We welcome them both to our family."

The Victoria Salmon Kings continue their home stint with a three-game series versus the Long Beach Ice Dogs, which starts Wednesday February 8, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.



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