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Fighting Falcons Make the Most of Affiliate Player Program

December 19, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Port Huron Fighting Falcons News Release


PORT HURON, MI - Great scouting has been a major factor in making the Port Huron Fighting Falcons a first-place team in the North American Hockey League. The team's network of scouts scour the country looking for the next Fighting Falcons stars, and USA Hockey's Affiliate Player Program has been a great tool for Port Huron's coaching staff.

 

Through the Affiliate Player Program, the team is able to designate up to a dozen players with birth years of 1995, 1996 and 1997 as "Affiliate Players," who may be called up throughout the season to get a taste of NAHL action.

 

Affiliate players are permitted to appear in as many of ten games throughout the NAHL season, and do not count against a team's protected list of players, or their maximum number of rostered players.

 

The Fighting Falcons have used the Affiliate Player Program to see which young players may be ready to make the jump from high school or AAA hockey to the NAHL level. The Affiliate Player Program gives teams the opportunity to offer the ultimate tryout to young players, as they get game action against NAHL competition.

 

Last season, Port Huron called up defenseman Lucas Little for four games before deciding to offer him a tender for the 2013-14 season. Forward Taylor Fernandez also appeared in a pair of games for the Fighting Falcons before signing his tender agreement for this season.

 

"The Affiliate Player Program is a great scouting tool that helps us see which players can compete at this level," said Fighting Falcons Head Coach and General Manager Michael Gershon. "It's a great way to see how younger players react to the speed and skill of the guys at this level.

 

"Year-round scouting is vital to be a successful franchise at this level," Gershon added. "Moving players on to college and to the USHL is a huge priority for our team, and we have to know who's ready to come in and make the most of an opportunity when a roster spot opens up."

 

This year, the Fighting Falcons have already called up two players through the Affiliate Player Program. Defenseman Shane Switzer was called up from Victory Honda's U18 team for a game earlier this month, and forward Lucas Brown came up from the New York Bobcats to play in Port Huron's most recent home game last weekend.

 

Though both Switzer and Brown have returned to their respective teams for now, they know that they are a phone call away from getting another crack at NAHL competition, and the chance at a tender agreement for next season.

 

Fans looking to keep an eye on players in the Fighting Falcons recruiting pipeline can follow affiliate players by looking for the (AP) designation on the team's page at pointstreak.com. EliteProspects.com is a great site to see how these players are performing when they're not lacing up for the Fighting Falcons.

 

The Fighting Falcons return to action this weekend when they host the Soo Eagles Friday and Saturday night at McMorran Arena. "Jackpot Friday" will send one lucky fan home with $1 per person in attendance and kids 12 & under can get a free walk-up ticket to Saturday's game with a paid adult.

 

Tickets to any Port Huron Fighting Falcons home game are available at the McMorran Arena Box Office starting at just $7 for seniors, students and military. For more information, call the front office at (810) 966-3800.



North American Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2013


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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