Checkers sign d-men Kenton Smith & Tyler Lawson, forward Cody Loughlean
July 30, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Charlotte, NC â Friday, July 30, 2004: The Charlotte Checkers announce three player signings for the 2004-05 season. The announcement is made today by Checkers Head Coach & General Manager Derek Wilkinson. Defensemen Kenton Smith and Tyler Lawson, and right wing Cody Loughlean are the newest members of the Charlotte Checkers for 2004-05. The total number of Checkers players signed for the 2004-05 season has now reached eight with the agreements this summer with defensemen Dan Preston, Clay Plume, and Brett Petersen, and forwards Allan Egeland and Justin Dziama.
Smith returns to the Checkers where he played in 48 games during the 2002-03 season scoring two goals and 20 assists for 22 points. Last season Kenton played for the Columbus (GA) Cottonmouths of the ECHL where he enjoyed a solid season playing in all of the team's 72 games scoring five goals and 14 assists for 19 points. Prior to turning pro, the 24 year-old Edmonton, Alberta native played five seasons of junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. Smith's pro career has included stops in Detroit in the International Hockey League, Springfield in the American Hockey League, and Johnstown, Pensacola, Charlotte and Columbus in the ECHL.
Wilkinson commented on Smith's return to the Checkers for the 2004-05 season. "Kenton had a great year for Columbus last season. He's a great guy to have on the ice and in the locker room. He was one of the more popular players with his Checkers teammates two seasons ago so we know he'll fit right in."
Smith remarked on his return to the Queen City. "I'm really excited to come back to Charlotte for the coming season. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there two seasons ago. The Checkers are a good organization and it will be terrific to play again with quality players like Allan Egeland and Dan Preston who I played with in 02-03. Coach Wilkinson wants to make a serious charge at the ECHL championship and I definitely want to be a part of that."
Joining the Checkers for his rookie season will be former Providence College Friars right wing Cody Loughlean (pronounced "LOCK leen"). The 5' 10", 185 pound four-year starter for Providence College of prestigious NCAA Division College hockey league, HOCKEY EAST, Loughlean will be counted on to have an immediate impact on the Checkers fortunes in 2004-05. The Innisfail, Alberta native played four seasons of junior hockey for North Battleford North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League before heading off to college at Providence College. During his four seasons with the Friars, Loughlean averaged 35 games a season while racking up 20 goals and 30 assists for 50 points and 70 penalty minutes.
"Cody is a hard-working, tenacious right winger," commented Wilkinson. "He was a great scorer in juniors and a good scorer in college. Cody will be a good asset to our hockey club."
Loughlean talked about choosing Charlotte as his first professional club. "The Checkers were one of the first teams who contacted me about playing this coming season. Everyone I talked to said how great it is to play in Charlotte, and I'm really looking forward to starting my professional career there."
Joining Smith and Loughlean for the 2004-05 season will be defenseman Tyler Lawson. The Barrie, Ontario native split time between two United Hockey League Clubs last season (Richmond and Quad City). Lawson also played six games with the Memphis Riverkings of the Central Hockey League in 2001-02, followed by a return to juniors with the Barrie Colts in 2002-03. Lawson will bring size to the Checkers with his 6'4" and 230 pound frame.
Wilkinson commented on Lawson's characteristics and what he will bring to the Checkers. "Tyler is a character kid who will do whatever it takes to win. He'll be an important part of our team this season." One of Lawson's claims to fame was being drafted by legendary hockey coach and icon Don Cherry when he was coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Mississauga Ice Dogs.
The Checkers will open up their regular season 2004-05 season on the road on Friday, October 22 at 7:05 p.m. when they'll face the Greenville Grrrowl. The Checkers home opener for the 2004-05 season will be held on Saturday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Cricket Arena when Charlotte will host the Columbia Inferno. Season tickets for the upcoming season are now on sale. Fans may call the Checkers office at (704) 342-4423 for complete information.
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ECHL Stories from July 30, 2004
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- Lynx Sign Snyder, Jackson To Contracts - Augusta Lynx
- Falcons Set for Pre-season Games vs. Condors - Fresno Falcons
- Bilodeau and Sullivan Return - Johnstown Chiefs
- Checkers sign d-men Kenton Smith & Tyler Lawson, forward Cody Loughlean - Charlotte Checkers
- Grrrowl add talented vet and rookie - Greenville Grrrowl
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