Defensive corps continues to grow for Brahmas
July 19, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
Fort Worth â Defense continues to be the primary focus for the Fort Worth Brahmas as they build their roster for the upcoming 2004-2005 CHL season. Today, the Brahmas bolstered their blueline with two separate player transactions.
Acquired in a trade from the Corpus Christi Rayz were the rights to two-time CHL All Star defenseman Mike Tilson. In exchange for the rights to the sixth year pro, the Brahmas gave the Rayz future considerations that will be executed following the 2004-2005 CHL playing season.
A native of Pickering, Ontario, Tilson is a familiar name to Brahmas fans. He played three full seasons in a Brahmas uniform from 1999-2002. He began the 2002-2003 season with the Fort Worth before being traded to Corpus Christi in December of 2002 in exchange for three players. Tilson's name is prominent in the Brahmas all time record book. He is tops in club history in games played (220) and shots on goal (733). He is second in penalty minutes with 590, and third in assists with 96. His 38 goals is the ninth most in team history, and his 134 points (96G/38A) are the fifth most amongst players who have worn a Brahmas uniform.
Tilson's best year as a professional came in 2001-2002 with the Brahmas. In 63 games played that season, he netted 16 goals while assisting on 28 others and picking up 175 penalty minutes. Last year, in 54 games with the Rayz, he totaled 34 points (10G/24A). He represented the Brahmas in the 2002 CHL All Star game and the Rayz in the 2004 CHL All Star game.
A veteran of five complete professional seasons, Tilson has skated in 314 career regular season games. Over that time, he has proven to be a versatile two-way defenseman. Offensively, he has flourished, with 205 points (63G/142A). He has also chipped in physically with 839 penalty minutes.
In addition to the acquisition of Tilson, the Brahmas also signed rearguard Mark Hynes to a contract.
Hynes, 6'2", 200, will be making his professional debut with the Brahmas in October. He has spent the last five years (1999-2004) playing for the University of Toronto Blues (CIS-OUA). In 2003-2004, his senior season, Hynes skated in 27 games as the team captain for the Blues, totaling 12 points (2G/10A) and 54 penalty minutes. For his efforts last year, he was named to the 2003-2004 OUA East All Star Team.
Altogether, Hynes played in 121 career regular season games for the varsity Blues, totaling 50 points on 11 goals and 39 assists while picking up 260 penalty minutes. His best individual year as a collegian came in 2001-2002 when he scored 15 points (3G/12A) and picked up 54 penalty minutes in 27 games played.
Hynes prepped for his college career with three seasons of major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) splitting time with the Erie Otters (1996-1998) and the Toronto St. Michael's Majors (1998-99).
Brahmas head coach Al Sims is excited about today's roster moves.
"Mike Tilson is one of the top defenseman in the entire CHL. Not only does he take care of his own zone, he is also an effective offensive player on the powerplay. Bringing him back to Fort Worth, where he has enjoyed success in the past, should be good for both Mike and our team. As for Mark Hynes, he's a physically imposing player that has proved himself in a quality collegiate program. He will be a solid first year player in this league," he stated.
The signing of Hynes gives the Brahmas twelve players under contract for the 2004-2005 CHL season. Jorin Welsh (D), Jan Jas (RW), Chad Woollard (LW), Joey Bastien (C), Derrell Upton (RW), Aaron Davis (C), Steve Reid (F), Adam Davis (D), Justin Laverdiere (RW), Sheldon Nedjelski (D), Tyler Nilsson (G), and Dan Murphy (G) all reached contract agreements earlier this off season. Hynes, Nedjelski, and Laverdiere are all rookies. Jorin Welsh and Chad Woollard will take up two of the Brahmas four CHL allotted roster spots for veterans with more than 260 professional regular season games played.
Tilson has yet to sign a contract with the Brahmas, however Sims expects to have the veteran under contract by the end of July.
The Brahmas will open their eighth season in franchise history and their fourth in the CHL in late October of 2004. Season tickets for the 2004-2005 season are on sale now. For more information, please contact the Brahmas office at (817) 336-4423.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 19, 2004
- Second time around - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Defensive corps continues to grow for Brahmas - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Saints All-Time Leading Scorer to Return - San Angelo Saints
- Bucks Sign Another College Defenseman - Laredo Bucks
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