Falcons Add Three Rookies to the Mix

August 13, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


Fresno, Calif. – The Fresno Falcons have signed three more players to contracts for the upcoming 2004-05 season, including the first goaltender on their roster, rookie Mike Betz. Joining Betz are fellow first-year defensemen Thierry Douville and Jack Redlick.

Betz arrives in Fresno having played the last four years at Ohio State University, where he set Buckeye records for most career wins (73), most career shutouts (11) and lowest single season goals against average (2.24). The native of Elizabeth, Pa., won the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's Goaltender of the Year Award in 2002-03 and earned team MVP honors his sophomore and junior seasons. He also has one game of professional experience after playing as an emergency back-up for the defending Kelly Cup Champion Idaho Steelheads in their Game One, 4-2 loss to the Las Vegas Wranglers in the first round of last year's playoffs.

Douville, who stands 6'5" and weighs 230 lbs., captained his Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to the QMJHL's President Cup Finals last season. The former 7th round pick (208th overall) of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft racked up a total of 1,334 penalty minutes through four seasons of major junior hockey.

Redlick is another hard-nosed, stay-at-home defenseman who helped the Grande Prairie Storm win the Alberta Junior Hockey League regular season and playoff crowns last year. The 6'3", 224 lb. native of St. Albert, Alta., also spent three years playing major junior hockey in both the QMJHL and Western Hockey League.

"Of the goaltenders from juniors or college that we've brought in since I've been here, Mike has the most impressive resumé. He was an all-star in one of the best college leagues in the country and he'll become a top-level goalie in the ECHL, as well," said General Manager Blaine Moore. "Last year we felt we lacked a bit of size and toughness on the blueline, and both Thierry and Jack will help us address those areas of concern."

The rookie trio joins John Dahl, Jordan Landry, Brian Passmore, Wes Rypien, Kevin Truelson and John Wroblewski on the Falcons roster that is scheduled to play the Bakersfield Condors in a home-and-home pre-season series on Oct. 15 and 16 before opening the 2004-05 ECHL regular season campaign on Oct. 22 against the Las Vegas Wranglers at Save Mart Center.

Full season ticket packages and Flex Packs for the 2004-05 season are on sale beginning as low as $42. For complete ticket information, please visit the Falcons website at www.fresnofalcons.com/tickets.html or call the Falcons front office at (559) 485-PUCK (7825).



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