Bucks Sign Former NHL Draft Pick Norrie
Published on August 6, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release
LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Wednesday that they have signed rookie right wing Shaun Norrie for the 2008-09 season. Norrie spent the last five seasons at the University of Lethbridge (CIS), in Calgary, Alberta, where he was a teammate of fellow Bucks rookie Devin Featherstone.
Norrie was drafted in the sixth round (#184 overall) of the 2000 NHL entry draft by the Edmonton Oilers.
In his five year college career with the Pronghorns, Norrie played in 162 games, scoring 52 goals, with 52 assists for 104 points. Norrie also racked up 324 penalty minutes playing with Lethbridge.
"Shaun was a very big priority for us to sign for this season", said Bucks Head Coach and General Manager Terry Ruskowski. "He was a guy that we really wanted to go after fast and get down here".
Norrie, a Calgary native, had 15 or more points in all five of his college seasons, including 20 or more points in three of those five years.
Last season with the Pronghorns the 6'3, 200-pound Captain tallied nine goals with 11 assists for 20 points, to go along with 71 penalty minutes.
"Shaun is big, strong, and physical, but he can also score goals. That's what we want him to do on our team. He will fit in quite nicely here", Ruskowski commented.
Norrie's most productive offensive season in college was in the 2006-07 season. During that campaign Norrie put up 15 goals, handed out 15 assists for 30 points, while spending 48 minutes in the penalty box.
Norrie had a very good reference on his resume, as he was a part of the 2002 Memorial Cup Champion Kootenay Ice, as a teammate of four year Buck Igor Agarunov.
"Iggy (Agarunov) told us some very good things about Shaun both on and off the ice. And when you have a guy like Iggy give his stamp of approval that means a lot". Ruskowski said.
"Norrie will bring a lot of toughness to our team. He's also a good playmaker", Agarunov said of his former teammate. "He's a great guy to have in the locker room. He gets along great with his teammates".
Norrie spent five seasons playing junior hockey in the WHL, where he split his time with the Calgary Hitmen, Kootenay Ice, and the Vancouver Giants. In his junior career Norrie scored 65 goals, with 64 assists for 109 points, to go along with 454 penalty minutes.
In his five junior seasons, Norrie's teams made the postseason every year. In those five playoff runs Norrie put up 22 points (10-12-22), and had 68 PIM's in 56 playoff contests.
During the 2002 Memorial Cup Playoffs, Norrie played a key part in Kootenay's championship run, scoring six goals with eight assists for 14 points in 22 postseason games.
"Norrie was the right wing on our line when we won the cup that year", Agarunov said. "We had a good checking line thanks to him. Whenever we had a big play, he seemed to always be involved in it somehow. He was a key part to that title team".
Norrie becomes the sixth player offcially signed by the Bucks for the upcoming season, joining four other rookies on the roster.
The Bucks open training camp on October 6th, and will begin their seventh season at the LEC on October 17th against the Rocky Mountan Rage. Season ticket prices stayed the same as they were last season, starting at just $34 a month (including playoffs). Call 718-BUCK (2825), or visit the LEC to speak to a Bucks ticket representative.
To be eligible to win FREE GAS for a year courtesy of the Bucks, just buy or renew your Bucks season tickets by AUGUST 31st. Season ticket prices stayed the same as they were last season, starting at just $34 a month (including playoffs). Call 718-BUCK (2825), or visit the LEC to speak to a Bucks ticket representative.
Central Hockey League Stories from August 6, 2008
- Blazers add three new faces to roster - Oklahoma City Blazers
- Bucks Sign Former NHL Draft Pick Norrie - Laredo Bucks
- Eagles to Host Celebrity Golf Tournament to Benefit Borsheim - Colorado Eagles
- Icerays Add To Roster, Sign Reynolds - Corpus Christi IceRays
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