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CHL Colorado Eagles

Eagles Re-sign One, Add Another

September 28, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Colorado Eagles News Release


WINDSOR, CO – The Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League added two more players for the 2004-05 season with the signing of defenseman Jesse Cook and center Chris Hartsburg.

Cook, 24, was one of the biggest surprises for the Eagles as he helped lead Colorado to a regular-season Northern Conference title in their inaugural season. The 6'5", 220 pound defenseman ranked third on the team among defenseman in plus/minus with a +25, and set career highs in goals (4), assists (12), points (16), and penalty minutes (122) with the Eagles. His impressive play in 54 games with the Eagles did not go unnoticed as Cook was called up to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). In 11 games, Cook netted one goal, a game-winning goal against the Binghampton Senators in his second game as a Penguin. He added three assists and two penalty minutes for Wilkes-Barre. Cook finally returned to the Eagles on March 10 to finish out his best professional season.

"I am excited to be back," remarked Cook. "This is a good, young team with a lot of opportunity to do well this year."

The Englewood, Colorado native skated for the University of Denver for four seasons amassing 59 points (6G, 53A) in 152 career games. As a freshman he won the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) tournament title in an upset win over North Dakota. He missed only nine games in a four year career as a Pioneer, and in 1999 he was drafted in the fifth round (153 overall) by the Calgary Flames. Prior to playing with the Eagles, Cook played in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) for the Lexington Men O' War. He tallied 4 points (1G, 3A) and 122 penalty minutes in 54 games with Lexington.

Chris Hartsburg, a native of Edina, Minnesota comes to Colorado having played professionally for the Albany River Rats of the AHL. In two seasons, Hartsburg netted 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points in 91 games. Last season (2003-04), two of his four goals were short-handed goals and one was a game winner.

"I played four years of hockey at Colorado College, it was a great place to come and play," commented Hartsburg, "I am thankful for the opportunity to come back and play for an outstanding organization."

Before playing in Albany, the 6'0", 200-pound center played in Colorado Springs for the Colorado College Tigers alongside fellow Eagles teammates Gian Baldrica and Jesse Heerema. He scored his first two goals in his very first game as a Tiger against Michigan Tech. Reminiscent of Cook, Hartsburg was drafted in 1999 in the seventh round (214 overall) by the New Jersey Devils. In his senior season, the right-hander was named as alternate captain for the Tigers. He had his best season statistically setting career highs for goals (14), assist (8) and points (22) during his final season at Colorado College.

Both Hartsburg and Cook are classified as developmental players under the CHL's developmental player rule which states that each team must have a minimum of five players on their roster who have played 128 professional games or fewer. Colorado has signed a total of 14 players for their second season, 12 of the 14 players are developmental players. The four veterans that will be on the Eagles roster will be announced at a "Meet the Eagles" event on Thursday, September 30 at the First National Bank Hall at The Ranch.

In other news, the Eagles are looking for a mascot for the upcoming season. Anyone interested in being the next Slapshot, or for more information call the Colorado Eagles front office at (970) 686-SHOT.

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Central Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2004


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