Dave Van Drunen back in the Fury pack
July 27, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- Seeking to become the first team ever to capture custody of three consecutive Colonial Cup crowns in the United Hockey League, the two-time presiding league champions, the Muskegon Fury are continuing their off-season roster construction expressly in an effort to realize the highly-sought after, coveted "three-peat." One more positive stride forward was gained today with the signing of another major marquee mainstay who was so integral and instrumental in Colonial Cup IV of the 2004-05 campaign.
The Fury Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman, in collaboration with Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson, have announced that top-drawer, ace defenseman DAVE VAN DRUNEN has agreed to terms and signed a new one-year contract deal with Muskegon for the upcoming 2005-06 UHL season. Adhering to club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
VAN DRUNEN, 29, will be approaching his ninth pro season, his third in the UHL and his second season of exem-plary duty on the Fury backline. The native of Sherwood Park, Alberta enjoyed an absolutely brilliant initial campaign for the reigning kingpins, emerging as one of the top, premiere all-star defensemen in the UHL as he infused much experience and expertise into the Fury lineup stemming from the many outstanding years that he had performed his craft in both the AHL and the IHL.
In the year of Colonial Cup IV in 2004-05, the rock-ribbed rearguard rampart was the utter master of his defensive domain. As far as the numbers are concerned, in 76-games, the 6-0, 208lb right-hand shooting bulwark tied for second overall in the Fury team scoring among the blue line brigade with 21-points on 2-goals, 19-assists with 130-PIM. His extraordinary +37 rating ranked a sterling circuit second in the league and number one for his Fury team. The total and complete package on the last line defense, Van Drunen's season was celebrated on the Fury's annual Awards Night when he laid claim to three major honors; the Fury Team Co-MVP, the Best Defenseman Award and the Best Plus/Minus Award. Moreover, he represented the Central Division, Tarry Cup and Colonial Cup Champions at the UHL's annual All-Star Classic in Adirondack.
During the Fury's inexorable ascent to their latest Colonial Cup coronation in May, Van Drunen, again, was his team's "Rock of Gibralter" on the backline. In earning his first-ever pro title, he was 17(0-3-3) with 28-PIM and a healthy +12 rating with the latter ranking second best on the club and, once again, second best in the entire UHL.
With "Vandy" on patrol in front of the Fury goal, Muskegon, once again, was the top-ranked defensive squad in the league, surrendering a league-low 195-GA in 80-games for a GAA of a miserly, minuscule 2.44.
For the Fury bench pilot Nelson, the return of Van Drunen is totally tantamount to more team future success. "Vandy is definitely an AHL defenseman playing all-star hockey in our league. He was very instrumental in this last champ-ionship, averaging over 35-minutes per game in the playoffs, playing against all of the opposition's top forward lines. We look at him as the complete hockey player. He was a co-MVP, our top defenseman and our best plus player. He leads by example, is a great stabilizing influence, and in short, he does everything for us. We feel quite fortunate to have him back with us for another run at the championship."
In the previous five years prior to his Fury advent, Van Drunen was the epitome of a steady, stable standout on the defense of the Grand Rapids Griffins, helping lead them to four consecutive division titles from 1999-00 to 2002-03. The Van Drunen dossier defines durability as in his final two years in Grand Rapids he carded considerable playing minutes in all 80-games. In the 2002-03 season, he sparked the Griffins to both the AHL Central Division and Western Conference crowns with 80(3-10-13) 106-PIM and an extraordinary +31 rating which tied him for the second best in the entire AHL. In 2000-01, still with the"Grifs," he authored a masterful +25 rating which ranked a lofty third among all IHL defensemen.
Muskegon's All-Star defenseman also has seen time in the NHL, having made his "big show" debut with the Ottawa Senators back on December 13, 1999. Previous to his five solid seasons in Grand Rapids, Van Drunen was an ECHL All-Star in his rookie pro campaign of 1997-98 with the Baton Rouge Kingfish 59(8-22-30) 107-PIM, leading the since defunct Louisiana-based club in all scoring departments among rearguards. He was never a stranger to the UHL warfare, having played 63-games for the Saginaw Gears in 1998-99; 63(5-17-22) 126-PIM.
His major junior âA' career was a stellar one with Coach Nelson's same junior squadron, the Prince Albert Raiders. Van Drunen starred for four seasons culminated in 1996-97 when in 72-games, he engineered 65-points on 18-goals, 47-assists, along with 216-PIM. That season, he led the Raiders in assists and finished second overall in team scoring.
Van Drunen's pro numbers read: 564(30-122-152) with 887-PIM.
Today's signing of defenseman DAVE VAN DRUNEN brings to six the number of players that are signed, sealed and delivered for 2005-06. Previously, Muskegon announced the signings of goaltender CLAYTON POOL, defenseman CLAY WILSON, center TODD ROBINSON; right wings ROBIN BOUCHARD, RUSTYN DOLYNY.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from July 27, 2005
- Boryczki accepts job in AHL with Providence - Adirondack Frostbite
- Another Solid Defenseman Added To Blueline - Motor City Mechanics
- Vipers mind the net with signing of Jamie Hodson - Roanoke Valley Vipers
- Dave Van Drunen back in the Fury pack - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- River Otters Add Brad Church and Brian Heckendorn - Missouri River Otters
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