Both is back
Published on September 22, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Falcons head coach and general manager Matt Thomas has brought a fan favorite back to Fresno by signing left winger Brad Both (pr: Booth) to a contract for the 2005-06 season. Not only did Both previously spend three years in a Falcons sweater and win the West Coast Hockey League's Taylor Cup Championship with the club, but he also played last season for Thomas when both were with the ECHL's Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies.
Both began his professional career in Fresno during the 2000-01 season before helping the Falcons to the Taylor Cup title in 2001-02 and a return trip to the Finals in 2002-03. The 6-foot-2, 225 lb. forward racked up a team-record 438 penalty minutes during that 2002-03 campaign and stands second behind by former Falcons captain and head coach Greg Spenrath in all-time penalty minutes as a Falcon with 771 over the course of his previous three-year stint. In Atlantic City last season, Both appeared in 42 games and posted six points (4g-2a) and 157 penalty minutes.
"I'm both excited and maybe a little nervous to be coming back to Fresno. They have great fans, and I was always treated well there," said Both. "I enjoyed playing for Coach Thomas last year. He's brought in a good nucleus of guys, and I expect us to have a good chance of going a long way in the playoffs."
"Brad is certainly familiar to both our fans and the other teams in our conference," said Thomas. "He is one of the toughest players in the league and makes sure opposing players are held accountable on the ice, which is an element every team needs."
Both and defenseman Cory Murphy, who has also returned to Fresno following a two-year absence, are the only players on this season's roster that were with the Falcons during the team's back-to-back Taylor Cup Finals appearances.
Current Falcons roster for the 2005-06 season:
Forwards (11) - Brad Both, Fraser Clair, Luke Curtin, Korey Diehl, Peter Fregoe, Brett Hammond, Shawn Mather, JF Plourde, Dan Rohanna, Scott Rozendal, John Wroblewski
Defensemen (5) - Cramer Hickey, Cory Murphy, Matt O'Dette, Dustin VanBallegooie, Shawn Weiman
Goaltender (1) - Brett Jaeger
Falcons season tickets are currently available for the 2005-06 ECHL campaign, beginning with the club's season opener on Oct. 21 against the Victoria Salmon Kings at Save Mart Center. Both full season packages (36 games) and 24-game packages include seats to the 2006 Bud Light ECHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition to be held at Save Mart Center on Jan. 24 and 25. For complete ticket information and an arena map of Save Mart Center, please visit www.fresnofalcons.com/tickets.html, or contact the Falcons front office directly at (559) 485-PUCK (7825).
ECHL Stories from September 22, 2005
- Wranglers solidify defense with Chartier, Schoneck - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Grizzlies seek Anthem singers, other performers - Utah Grizzlies
- Both is back - Fresno Falcons
- Gulls invite four players to training camp - San Diego Gulls
- Thompson signs on with Titans - Trenton Devils
- Community Chips in to Help Area Youth - Wheeling Nailers
- Lynx announced their pre-season schedule - Augusta Lynx
- Stockton gets aggressiveness on the frontline - Stockton Thunder
- Condors invite fans to open house on October 9th - Bakersfield Condors
- Inferno host Katrina relief game - Columbia Inferno
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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