Cottonmouths to Sign Two-Time Gold Medalist

March 7, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) announce the signing of goaltender Shannon Szabados, a two-time gold medalist with the Canadian National Hockey Team. Szabados joins the Cottonmouths after a successful defense of Team Canada's gold medal in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where they defeated the United States in a dramatic come from behind victory.

The Edmonton, AB, Canada native is a former teammate of current Snake's players Jordan Draper, Andy Willigar and Captain Kyle Johnson at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. Szabados' signing will make her the first female to play hockey in the Southern Professional Hockey League since its inception ten years ago.

"I am very excited to get a world class athlete that has competed and has faced, high pressured situations. Shannon has won at every level she has played, in women's hockey or men's hockey," head coach Jerome Bechard said. "She won a championship with NATI last year alongside Andy Willigar and Jordan Draper so I know she can compete at this level. We are working on her immigration, and we are looking to sign her officially Thursday, where she will be backing up Loewen. She will play when she feels comfortable and situated."

The Cottonmouths are scheduled to play at home next Thursday March 13th, Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th. A press conference has been scheduled to introduce Szabados on Thursday the 13th at noon in the Columbus Civic Center main lobby and is open to the public.

For more information about the Columbus Cottonmouths or for ticket information you may contact the front office at 706.571.0086 or visit www.cottonmouths.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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