Bullies Continue Growth Project

June 24, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies News Release


ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL have announced that defenseman Ian Walterson and forward Josh Prudden have agreed to terms on contracts for the 2004-05 season. The signings bring the Bullies roster for the upcoming season to six under Head Coach Matt Thomas.

Walterson, 26, returns for his fourth season in Atlantic City and is the final player remaining from the Bullies inaugural 2001-02 team with the recent retirement of Stefan Rivard. Considered one of the best defensive leaders in the ECHL, Walterson wrapped up his fifth professional season in 2003-04 with 2 goals and 11 points in 66 games. The Oakbank, MB native eclipsed two personal milestsones last season, tallying his 100th career point on March 13 at Reading, and playing in his 300th career game on March 19 at home against Peoria. Walterson and Rivard previously relocated with the Bullies franchise when the team moved from Birmingham, Alabama to Atlantic City following the 2000-01 season.

Prudden, 24, returns after a terrific rookie season in which he posted 18 goals and 52 points in 60 games to finish fifth overall in team scoring and 15th among ECHL rookies. The Andover, MA native, after missing 12 of the team's first 14 games, returned to become one of the Bullies most consistent performers by finishing the year with 48 points in his final 54 games. For his efforts, Prudden was selected through Internet voting as the Bullies 2004 Fans' Choice Player of the Year. Prudden signed with the Bullies last summer following a standout four-year collegiate career at the University of New Hampshire.

Thomas commented on both signings. "As we continue to build for a championship in 2004-05, today we bring back two very important pieces of the puzzle. Ian Walterson is the anchor of our blue line and has developed into one of our strongest leaders over the past two seasons," he said. "Meanwhile, Josh proved last year that he can be a dynamic scorer in the ECHL, and anticipating that he plays a full 72-game season, we expect him to be one of the top threats in the league."

Walterson and Prudden join defensemen Chad Dameworth and Dave Reid, forward Scott Horvath, and goaltender Jake Moreland as current Bullies under contract for 2004-05.

The Bullies Sales Department is currently accepting orders for season tickets and 12-ticket FLEX plans, and deposits for all group ticket orders beginning with Opening Night 2004 on October 29 against Trenton. Call (609) 348-7825 to speak with a Bullies Customer Service Representative.

Operation: 1,700 is now underway. The Bullies have set a goal to secure 1,700 season tickets between now and Opening Night 2004. IT'S TIME FOR ACTION! Season tickets start as low as $324 and are on sale now by calling (609) 348-PUCK.

For more information on the Bullies latest transactions, contact Dan Weiss at (609) 348-7809. For more information on South Jersey's only professional hockey team, visit www.boardwalkbullies.com.



ECHL Stories from June 24, 2004


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