Clay Wilson signs with the Fury
July 14, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- There is always much work to be done in the summertime of the off-season, especially if you are at the circuit summit as two time reigning Colonial Cup Champions. Such are the times for the United Hockey League's all-time winningest team, the Muskegon Fury. With their collective eyes still on the prize and a bid for an unprecedented "three-peat," the Fury organization continues to accomplish positive steps in assembling their roster for the 2005-06 season.
Today, the incumbent Central Division, Tarry Cup and Colonial Cup kings' Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman, in collaboration with Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson, have announced that young, promising defenseman CLAY WILSON has assented to terms and signed a new one-year contract for the Fury. Adhering to club policy, terms of the new deal were not disclosed.
WILSON, 22, will be entering his first full season with "Team Title," following a superlative professional premiere upon his advent to the Muskegon hockey scene at the latter stages of the last regular season of 2004-05. The American-bred from Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota left a lasting, indelible impression with the Fury after the organization had originally inked him to a pact following his collegiate eligibility at Michigan Tech of the highly-prestigious WCHA (Western Collegiate Athletic Association).
It was during a UHL league-wide season-high 17-games' team undefeated streak, (17(14-0-3), that the Fury closed the deal with Wilson, signing him on March 17th before the fleet, dynamic defenseman made his pro debut one night later against division rival Kalamazoo. The speedy 6-0, 195lb rookie stepped into the Muskegon lineup and asserted his presence and persona almost immediately. Playing with much confidence and maturity beyond his years, he delivered 6-points in 14-games on 3-goals, 3-assists with 2-PIM and a healthy +6 rating. Included in his overall offensive output were 1-PPG, 1-GWG and 29-SOG. His outstanding contributions late in the season helped solidify the Fury's best regular season record of 80 (51-20-9) for a club record 111-points and a third division title as well as a second regular season crown.
In the Fury's inexorable ascent to Colonial Cup IV and their third one in the last four seasons, the precocious Wilson was at his best. Playing with the calm and resolve of a seasoned veteran, he logged significant ice-time, emerging prominently as a future league all-star. Seeing service in all 17-post season encounters, he registered 17(0-2-2) with 8-PIM and 17-SOG.
The Fury's bench pilot Nelson is thrilled to have the youthful Wilson back in the fold and on his blue line for the next new season. "We are very excited to have Clay returning on our defense for next season. He is a dynamic player who possesses tremendous potential. In the time that he was with us last season, he showed us that he has the ability and talent to play here and be a major force in our lineup. Perhaps, even more intriguing is that he is a player who someday could very well play at the higher level." Coach Todd expounded on his praise for his rookie defenseman especially as an offensive weapon. "Clay can be really effective in creating and generating offense for our club. He has great skating ability and knows how to move the puck. With Clay Wilson in our lineup, the mobility of our defense is considerably increased and we become a much more mobile team on the back end. Also, certainly not to be overlooked is that he is an outstanding team-oriented guy and he has gained some valuable experience in being a strong part of our champ-ionship. We believe that with a full year in the Fury lineup, he can become a top player in the UHL." As for the Fury's latest player signee, he expresses much gratitude and satisfaction in his return to one of minor pro hockey's great communities. "I am most appreciative of the opportunity the Fury organization has given me. It is flattering to be a part of such a first-class organization that is so committed to winning and being such a strong part of its community. It is an honor to be a member of the Muskegon Fury."
Wilson made a remarkably rapid transition from the collegiate ranks to the pro style of game when his rights were secured by Muskegon.
He earned some outstanding credentials, achieved from a solid four-year career at Michigan Tech. In his senior season of 2004-05, he authored 7-points in 34-games on 3-goals, 4-assists with 1-PPG and 42-PIM.
His best campaign for overall offensive production occurred in his sophomore year of 2002-03, when he engineered 25-points in 38-games through 8-goals, 17-assists while accruing 37-PIM.
His four-year career totals with the Michigan Tech Huskies read: 147-games, 17-goals, 40-assists, 57-points with 6-PPG, 1-SHG and 119-PIM.
Today's signing of defenseman CLAY WILSON brings to four the number of players that the Fury have under contract for the 2005-06 season. Previously, the reigning champions announced the signings of goaltender CLAYTON POOL, center TODD ROBINSON and right wing ROBIN BOUCHARD.
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from July 14, 2005
- Woollard to help pace Hogs offense in 05-06 - Rockford IceHogs
- Mechanics welcome NHL back - Motor City Mechanics
- Clay Wilson signs with the Fury - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- NHL Back on the Ice! Mechanics ready for second season - Motor City Mechanics
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