Buffalo Sabres Draftee Joins Cotton Kings

Published on September 27, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


LUBBOCK, TX: September 27, 2005 - The defending Southwest Division Champion Lubbock Cotton Kings of the Central Hockey League welcomed a new addition to the 2005/2006 roster, with the signing of forward Aaron Goldade.

"Aaron should be a solid player for us," said Head Coach / Director of Hockey Operations Chris Dashney. "He brings a promising background to our squad and has the potential to be very productive."

Goldade joins the Cotton Kings after splitting last season between the University of Manitoba and the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League (SEMHL) with the Plum Coulee Xpress. The Prince Albert, Saskatchewan native closed out his college tenure last season with three points (2g,1a) in four games. Goldade spent parts of four seasons with the Bisons hockey program (01/02 - 04/05) and combined for 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in 62 games. With the Xpress, Goldade ranked tenth in league scoring with 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points in 12 games and then exploded in the postseason, ranking third in league scoring with 8 goals and 6 assists for 14 points in 7 games.

The 6'1 205-pound forward spent five seasons of "major juniors" in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Brandon Wheat Kings after the Wheat Kings selected him in the first round (16th overall selection) of the 1995 WHL Bantam Draft. With the Wheat Kings, Goldade appeared in 310 games from 96/97 to 00/01, which ranks fourth all-time in Brandon's history, and combined for 86 goals and 121 assists for 207 points. Goldade was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round (137th overall selection) of the 1998 NHL Draft. He also attended the 2000 NHL Prospects Tournament and was assigned to the American Hockey League's Louisville Panthers after attending training camp with the Florida Panthers, but later returned to the Wheat Kings for his final junior season. The 25 year-old briefly turned pro in 01/02 with the ECHL's New Orleans Brass, appearing in 9 games, but was released after suffering an injury. Goldade became a late addition to the University of Manitoba's squad later that season.

The addition of Goldade places the ‘Kings with 19 players under contract for the 05/06 season, joining forwards Josh Anderson, Bobby Brown, Nick Economakos, Paul Fioroni, Nolan Graham, Jan Melichercik, Kyle Nosan, Emery Olauson, Vic Pereira, defensemen Jason Beatty, Nolan Brown, Mike Kirby, Matt McDonald, Matt McNeely, Darren Shakotko and goaltenders Shawn Conschafter, Brett Koscielny and Lance Leslie. Goldade will qualify as "developmental" status players under CHL guidelines (less than 128 pro games played). Under CHL rules, each team must carry at least five "developmental" players, and Goldade gives the ‘Kings 14 "developmental" players on their roster, joining Anderson, Beatty, Conschafter, Nolan Brown, Economakos, Graham, Kirby, Koscielny, McDonald, McNeely, Nosan, Olauson and Pereira. Coach Dashney is available for interview in regards to the signing by contacting the ‘Kings offices. To arrange an interview with Goldade or to obtain additional player information, please contact Chris Due at 806-549-4228.

The Cotton Kings open their season on October 21st and 22nd in the Rio Grande Valley, and will open their home schedule on October 29th, as they welcome the Amarillo Gorillas. Season ticket and corporate advertising opportunities are available for the 05/06 season by contacting the Cotton Kings office at (806) 747-7825. Additional ‘Kings info can be found online via their official site at www.cottonkings.com.

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Central Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2005


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