CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles Announce Veteran Signings

Published on October 2, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


WINDSOR, Colo. - The Central Hockey League's Northern Conference champion Colorado Eagles announced today the singing of their four returning veteran skaters. Returning to the team will be forwards Greg Pankewicz, Riley Nelson and Ryan Tobler and defenseman Aaron Schneekloth. Defenseman Brad Williamson will not join that group due to the CHL's roster limits on veteran players; per CHL rules, a team can have no more than four veteran skaters (a veteran being classified as someone who has played in over 280 professional games). Pankewicz, Nelson, Tobler and Williamson have been with the team since its inception. Schneekloth joined the Eagles prior to the 2006-07 season.

Pankewicz has been team captain for the previous four seasons, and is coming off an All-Star season in 2007-08 and a Playoff MVP performance in 2006-07 - when he lead the Eagles to their second President's Cup championship. The Drayton Valley, Alberta native finished second on the team in special teams scoring last year (12-24-36) and finished only two assists away from the team lead despite missing half a dozen games. His nine game-winning goals nearly doubled the next closest member of the team (Nelson and Iannazzo with five). The team's second all-time leading scorer (169-210-379), Pankewicz holds or is tied for several offensive team records, including: most goals in a game (4), most shots in a game (12) and longest goal scoring streak (eight games, 10 goals).

Nelson - who has played in more games as an Eagle than anyone (306) - is the team's all-time leading scorer (171-243-414) and has served as an alternate captain the previous four seasons. In addition to leading the team in scoring last season (37-54-91), the Cranbrook, British Columbia native led the team in goals, power-play goals (13), short-handed points (4-3-7) and shooting percentage (.160). Nelson also is atop many of the Eagles all-time offensive records, including: most goals in a game (4), most power-play goals in a game (3), most shots in a game (12) and longest point streak (17 games, twice). In addition, the diminutive forward scored the first goal in team history, along with registering the first hat trick and first successful penalty shot.

Tobler, long recognized as one of the league's premier power forwards, is coming off a season lost to injury. After being voted the CHL's "Best Power Forward" each of the previous four seasons, the Calgary, Alberta native played in only 21 games in 2007-08 due to injury. He ranks third on the team's all-time scoring list (117-173-290), and tallied at least 25 goals and 60 points in his four full seasons with Colorado. Before being injured in the fifth game of 2007-08, Tobler had registered his 200th professional goal and 500th professional point while racking up four goals and four assists in the season's first four games.

Schneekloth is coming off his best season as a pro, being named an All-Star starter last season and coming in second in the vote for the league's Most Outstanding Defenseman Award. Statistically, the Calgary, Alberta native was far-and-away the team's best defenseman last season, leading Eagles defenders in nearly every statistical category, including: points (60), goals (21), assists (39) and plus/minus (+18). He was also fourth overall on the team in special teams points (10-18-28) and registered the first hat trick by an Eagles defenseman on November, 23 against Amarillo. The offensive defenseman ranks 10th on the team's all-time scoring list (32-74-106) after just two seasons consisting of 106 games played.

Williamson's time with the Eagles comes to an end after five seasons with the team, and he says he's embracing the change. "My family and I are preparing for our future here in Northern Colorado, and I'm looking forward to the next stage of my life," said Williamson. "I'm excited to spend more time with my wife and our two young sons, and we're thrilled to be raising them in this wonderful community. I'm looking forward to this new chapter of my life and I have no intention of playing for another CHL team." He added that, "I'd like to thank the Colorado Eagles organization and the fans for their support over the past five years. My family and I will cherish the memories forever."

Said Eagles president and general manager, Chris Stewart: "Obviously, this decision was not made in haste. Both Coach McClelland and I met multiple times with each veteran to discuss each individual situation. As a result of that process, the decision that was best for both the individual players and for the team is the decision that was made." He added that, "Brad Williamson has been a great member of our team and this community, and we wish him all the best as he starts the next phase of his life here in Northern Colorado."

The defending Northern Conference champion Colorado Eagles open the 2008-09 season with a home game against the expansion Rapid City Rush on October 17. Tickets for all home dates at the Budweiser Events Center can be purchased through the Budweiser Events Center box office, www.ComcastTix.com, 1-877-544-TIXX (8499), the Eagles' Office in Water Valley or through any ComcastTIX Outlet.

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