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Chicago Hounds Continue to Add Talent to the Roster

August 9, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Chicago Hounds News Release


Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 9, 2006) - The Chicago Hounds and Coach Greg Puhalski announced Wednesday the signing of Defensive Player Mike Kautz, Forward Steve Cygan, and Goalie Marty Magers. All three of the new Hounds proudly call the Chicagoland area home.

Mike Kautz, from Des Plaines, will play his Rookie season in the UHL with the Hounds. Growing up, Kautz played his juniors for the Chicago Steel. Most recently, Kautz played for the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL). Prior to that, he was selected as a member of both the All-Northern College Hockey Association and All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams while playing for Lake Superior State University and University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Coach Puhalski says of Kautz, "He will be a positive contributor to our defensive corp."

Joining Kautz for the Hounds' inaugural season is Steve Cygan. A native of Spring Grove, Cygan graduated from Wheaton Warrenville South High School. After high school, Cygan went to the University of Alaska-Anchorage where he achieved excellence on and off the ice. Named to both the All Rookie and All Star teams while at UAA, he led the Seawolves in goals scored two years in a row. As a true student-athlete, Cygan was recognized on the Honor Roll and Dean's List and named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's All-Academic Team.

After college, Steve Cygan (5 feet, 6 inches and 160 pounds) signed with the UHL's Rockford IceHogs. In 2003, he was named the UHL's Rookie of the Year. And in his two years with the IceHogs, he scored 53 goals and had 62 assists in 152 games. For the past 3 years, Cygan has played in the ECHL as a member of the Trenton Titans, Pee-Dee Pride, and Johnstown Chiefs. With his reputation for speed on the ice, Coach Puhalski is looking to Cygan to "provide electricity and a spark" to the Hounds lineup.

Marty Magers, of Plainfield, rounds out the newest Hounds as an experienced and gifted goalie. From early in his career, Magers displayed his talent by setting records for the Omaha Lancers. Several of his records still stand including a single season record for best save percentage at .927 and career records of most shut outs (17) and most games played (89). In the 2000-2001 season, Magers was named to the All-USHL Team.

In the 2002 NHL Draft, Magers was selected in the 4th round by the Buffalo Sabres as the 121st overall pick. Magers joins the Hounds after playing in both the UHL and ECHL. Coach Puhalski is excited to have Magers on the roster. And of the signing, Coach said, "Marty Magers is looking forward to the opportunity to be a quality goalie for us."

Kautz, Cygan, and Magers bring a passion for both Chicago and hockey as they join the Hounds for this exciting inaugural season. All Hounds home games will be played at the brand new, state of the art Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.

The Sears Centre is an 11,000-seat state of the art multi-purpose family entertainment, sports and cultural center under construction in Hoffman Estates' Prairie Stone Business Park. Located right at I-90 and Route 59, it will host more than 135 events each year, and is projected to attract more than 750,000 annual visitors.

Season ticket and sponsorship packages are now available -- for more information on the Chicago Hounds and their inaugural please call 847.882.2255 or visit www.chicagohounds.com

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