Chris Thompson Returns as Stars Prepare to Open Season on the Road
October 21, 2003 - United Hockey League (UHL)
Columbus Stars News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 21, 2003
Forward returns from Cincinnati Mighty Ducks; First Weekend opponents Adirondack, Elmira two of East's best
COLUMBUS, OH â Hard-skating forward Chris Thompson has been reassigned to the Columbus Stars in time for the UHL's season-opening weekend announced General Manager Robb W. King and UHL Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Malcolm Cameron today.
Thompson registered four shots on goal and a minus one plus/minus rating in playing two games for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks in the American Hockey League. The six-foot 195-pound right wing tallied 56 points (19 g â 37 a) and 233 PIM in 62 games in the East Coast Hockey League last season. Thompson played 48 games for the Dayton Bombers and the remainder with the Augusta Lynx.
Thompson will practice with the team tomorrow and is expected to play this weekend.
WHAT IN STORE FOR THE STARS: After sweeping to shootouts on a preseason trip through Richmond, VA last weekend, the Stars play for points they keep on this opening weekend in the United Hockey League.
The regular season begins Friday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Glens Falls Civic Center with the Adirondack IceHawks, the top returning point-getter in the Eastern Conference. The IceHawks are lead by three-time UHL MVP Hugo Belanger who tallied a dizzying 143 points last season (42 g â 101 a). Belanger is the only player to be named MVP of three professional leagues (ECHL 1995-96, WCHL 1998-99, UHL 2000-2003).
Bryan Wells take the reins this year of the Adirondack IceHawks, becoming the team's seventh coach in its seven-year history. Wells brings a wealth of hockey experience as both a coach and a player. He began his playing career in 1986 as a free agent signee of the National Hockey League's Minnesota North Stars (now Dallas Stars), before embarking on a 10-year minor league career. (more)
During his playing days, Wells was a member with the inaugural Thunder Bay Thunderhawks who won the Colonial league cup in 1992, and was a member of both the 1994 and 1995 Central Hockey League's champions the Wichita Thunder.
Saturday night the Stars complete the two-game UHL New York state tour facing the NHL's Blue Jackets' affiliate in Elmira, NY; the Elmira Jackals. Face off is set for 7:00 p.m.
The Jackals' recently signed Greg Koehler split the 2002-2003 season between the Milwaukee Admirals and the Manchester Monarchs, both of the American Hockey League. The Scarborough, ONT native particularly shined in New Hampshire, as he tallied 14 points (1gâ 13a) in 13 games for the Monarchs; in 43 games for Milwaukee he had 16 goals, 10 assists and 56 PIM.
The Jackals are coached by Todd Brost. He was an Olympian on the 1992 Canadian hockey team and has coach in the WPHL (El Paso Buzzards 1996-2000) as well as the last three seasons in Elmira. Brost played with Stars' head coach Malcolm Cameron with the Huntington Blizzard for a short stint, and then coached Cameron in El Paso.
Both games will be webcasted on www.sportsjuice.com with the transmission beginning 15 minutes before game time. The link to the webcast is available on the Columbus Stars home page, www.columbusstars.com.
The Stars home opener is Friday, October 31 against the defending Colonial Cup Champion Fort Wayne Komets. One lucky fan will have a chance to win $10,000 based on the time of the first home goal scored by the Stars. Tickets are available by calling 985-STAR (7827), visiting www.ticketmaster.com or stopping by any TicketMaster location.
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