Dynamic duo sign NHL deals
July 29, 2005 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Brandon, Manitoba -- The Wheat Kings' dynamic duo of Eric Fehr and Ryan Stone came to terms on National Hockey League Entry level contracts before Thursday afternoon's deadline.
The two - who finished 1-2 in both the Western Hockey League regular season and playoff scoring race this past season - would have been up for grabs in this Saturday's NHL Entry Draft had they not signed with their respective clubs.
A 19-year old native of Winkler who was chosen by Washington in the opening round of the 2003 draft, came to terms with the Capitals while the Calgary born Stone signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins - the club that selected him with the first pick of round two in 2003.
"I was happy to hear it get done," Fehr told 880 CKLQ on Thursday. "Washington has a good young team with a lot of Western League guys, so it should be interesting."
Fehr led the WHL with 59 goals and 111 points this past season while Stone finished second with 99 points including 33 goals.
During their four year WHL careers, Fehr, who was a former first round bantam draft choice of the Wheat Kings, averaged close to a point per game, scoring 116 goals and 277 points in 279 games while Stone averaged better than a point per game with 240 including 78 goals in 239 contests.
"The entire organization is real proud of both players," says Wheat Kings' general manager / coach Kelly McCrimmon. "They were great players on our team for four years."
In addition to their heroics on the ice, both Stone and Fehr, who was chosen the 2005 WHL Player of the Year, were valuable members of the hockey club's Community Relations Program. While Stone worked with the Brandon Police Service and the Join the Team Program, Fehr took turns visiting schools on behalf of the CIBC Read to Succeed Program.
Although financial details of the contract were not released, both deals were for three years.
Other WHLers to sign on the dotted line before Thursday's deadline included Medicine Hat's Clarke MacArthur (Buffalo), Lethbridge Hurricanes' defenceman Brent Seabrook and Prince George's Dustin Byfuglien (Chicago), Shawn Belle of the Tri-City Americans (Dallas Stars), Jeremy Colliton of the Prince Albert Raiders (NY Islanders) and Tristan Grant of Vancouver (Philadelphia Flyers).
Western Hockey League Stories from July 29, 2005
- Bubnick Traded To Portland For Garrett Festerling And A Third Round Pick - Regina Pats
- Winter Hawks Trade For 20-year-old Winger - Portland Winterhawks
- Dynamic duo sign NHL deals - Brandon Wheat Kings
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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