Fels signs in for Fury
Published on September 7, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- There is lots of action and positive energy in the Fury nation as the United Hockey League's all-time top winning team, the Muskegon Fury, prepare to set sail for the rapidly-approaching 2006-07 UHL season. With the franchise 15th training camp less than one month away, the Fury have landed their thirteenth player for their building roster in their collective, concerted bid to reclaim custody of the league's most coveted "Cup."
On this date, the Fury Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman, in concert with Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Bruce Ramsay, has announced that popular right wing KEN FELS has assented to terms and affixed his signature to the bottom line of a new one-year contract for the upcoming 2006-07 season. Adhering to club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
When he touches down in Muskegon for his second consecutive campaign clad in the home town team's coat of arms on October 1st, FELS, 28, will be on the launching pad for his seventh pro season overall and his third in the UHL. The physically, fistic forward has earned his second contract with Muskegon on the makings of his major muscle, mighty mark which accented his performance last season, representing his first-ever endeavor with the "Furious Ones." His signing by the Fury signals his value and general importance to the Fury club and his prominent role that is paramount to the team's overall success.
In his initial campaign with the Fury in 2005-06, the especially well-chiseled 6-0, 220lb enforcing team element led his squadron in penalty minutes' sentences with 245-PIM in 73-appearances while engineering 10-points on 3-goals, 7-assists and 1-GWG with all three of his strikes stoked abroad in foreign ice warfare. His 21-major penalties led the Fury and ranked as fourth most in the UHL overall.
During the 2006 post-season activities of the UHL playoffs, Fels fashioned 1-goal, 1-assist, 2-points in 7-outings, adding 12-PIM in the process as well along with a +1 rating.
His head coach, Ramsay, is more than familiar with Muskegon's most recent signee having played and coached with him for the past five years. "I have played with or either coached Kenny over the past four or five years. He is the consummate stand-up guy who gives everything that he has every game, every night. There are few hombres around who you would prefer not to tangle with. Ken is one of those kinds of tough customers. He is one of the toughest players in the UHL and he gives absolutely everything for his team and all of his teammates. When he is on the ice, he makes our club a lot stronger. What makes Ken even more valuable to our team is the fact that he is an excellent, well-conditioned athlete. He is always in great shape. A player of Ken Fels caliber combined with his toughness is a real plus for us. We are excited to have him here."
Prior to his advent to the Muskegon hockey scene, the Bow Island, Alberta native had played the majority of his unique brand of crowd-pleasing hockey in the Central Hockey League (CHL), including the 2004-05 season. In that season, in 56-games with the Amarillo Gorillas, he essayed 8-points on 1-goal, 7-assists, accumulating 110-PIM. In addition, he saw service in all seven of the Gorillas' post-season playoff affairs, recording a single goal and 28-PIM. His intimidating presence in the northwest-located Texas team's lineup was most instrumental in Amarillo's surge to earn a share of the CHL Southern Conference Southwest Division crown on a 60(31-20-9) record for 71-points.
The Western Canadian was a teammate of his new coach, Ramsay, back in his rookie season of 2000-01 when he amassed 215-PIM in 63-games while collecting 7-points in 63-games on 2-goals, 5-assists with the CHL Wichita Thunder.
Fels has also seen service in the CHL in 2001-02 with the Lubbock Cotton Kings; 64(1-8-9) with 145-PIM and the since defunct ACHL St. Pete / Winston-Salem Parrots, also coached by Ramsay, in 2002-03.
In Port Huron, in 2003-04, again with Ramsay as his mentor behind the bench, he registered 170-PIM in 52-games with 52 (4-4-8).
Fels actually broached his pro career after performing in the Canadian Collegiate hockey ranks with the University of Brandon in 1999-00. That particular season, he was 42(4-1-5) with 108-PIM.
His all-time pro career numbers read: 362 (16-38-54) with 1,072-PIM.
Today's signing of right wing KEN FELS brings to 13, the number of players who the Fury have signed to contracts for the 2006-07 season. Previously, Muskegon announced the signings of goaltender CLAYTON POOL; defensemen JOSH CHASE, TOM GALVIN, PHILIPPE PLANTE, JOE POMARANSKI, DAVE VAN DRUNEN; centers BILLY COLLINS, TODD ROBINSON; left wings RYAN BARNES, DAVE NOEL-BERNIER; right wings ROBIN BOUCHARD, RUSTYN DOLYNY.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from September 7, 2006
- Hogs bulk up with Lizon, add backstop Cuthbert - Rockford IceHogs
- Fels signs in for Fury - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Chicago Hounds Announce Exhibition Schedule - Chicago Hounds
- Generals sign two players for 2006-07 season - Flint Generals
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