Cotton Kings Sign Gritty Centerman
June 27, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release
LUBBOCK, TX: June 27, 2006 - The Lubbock Cotton Kings of the Central Hockey League (CHL) have added another name to their 06/07 roster with the signing of center JayDyn Murray.
"JayDyn is a gritty skater with an offensive upside that we hope can contribute at this level," said Cotton Kings Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Chris Dashney. "He had over 600 penalty minutes throughout his junior career that shows that he will stand up for himself as well."
Murray joins the Cotton Kings looking for a fresh start after a disappointing season last year. The Melita, Manitoba native began last season in training camp with the ECHL's Augusta Lynx, but improper paperwork filed by the team for immigration purposes led to Murray departing back to Canada. He joined the senior amateur Verdun Dragons of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (LNAH) in Quebec for 6 games and was scoreless with 17 minutes in penalties.
The 5'11" 190-pound center was attempting to turn pro last season after closing out a four-year junior career of Junior A hockey. Murray spent his first three seasons of juniors in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey league (SJHL) with the Nipawin Hawks, combining for 24 goals and 69 assists for 93 points in 149 games from 01/02 - 03/04. His career in Nipawin was highlighted by an invite to the SJHL Prospects Game in 02/03 and the SJHL All-Star Game in 03/04. He ranked fourth on the club in scoring in his final season in Nipawin (03/04) with 30 points (12g,30a), and led the team in penalty minutes with 227. The 22 year-old followed Head Coach Doug Headley and Assistant Coach and brother Marlin from Nipawin to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Dauphin Kings for his final season in juniors in 04/05. As a teammate of Cotton Kings goaltender Brett Koscielny and recently signed Chris Barth, Murray served as the Team Captain for the Kings and he earned an invite to the MJHL All-Star Game. The two-time MJHL Old Dutch Player of the Week posted 17 goals and 40 assists for 57 points in 48 games and also compiled 252 penalty minutes in Dauphin. Murray's overall junior totals include 41 goals and 109 assists for 150 points and 621 penalty minutes in 197 games.
The addition of Murray places the Kings with three players announced for the 06/07 season. He joins goaltender Brett Koscielny and defenseman Chris Barth on the 06/07 roster. With no games of professional experience, Murray qualifies as a developmental player (128 games or less played). Each CHL team must have at least five developmental players on their roster. Media members seeking interviews or graphics of Murray or interviews with Head Coach Chris Dashney, can contact Chris Due at 806-549-4228.
24 FOUNDATION NEWS: This Sunday from 1-3pm, Paul Fioroni is working at Hotrod's Fireworks to raise money for the 24 Foundation. The fireworks stand is located at 4703 East 4th Street and they will be raffling off Cotton Kings items every hour that Paul is there as well. For more info, contact Stacey O'Brien at 747-7825.
The Cotton Kings are currently preparing for their eighth season of professional hockey in the South Plains. The Central Hockey League has not released the schedule for the 06/07 season, but the 64-game schedule will be announced soon. The home opener is set for Saturday, October 21st against an opponent to be named later. Season ticket and corporate sponsorship information for the upcoming season is available by contacting the Cotton Kings office at (806) 747-7825. Additional 'Kings info can be found online via their official site at www.cottonkings.com.
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Central Hockey League Stories from June 27, 2006
- Cotton Kings Sign Gritty Centerman - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- SteelHounds Bring Back 107-Point Man and Team MVP for the 2006-07 Season - Youngstown SteelHounds
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