FireAntz Add Two More
August 25, 2009 - SPHL (SPHL)
Fayetteville Marksmen News Release
Chad Collins wasn't surprised by the impasse, but that didn't make the outcome any easier to swallow.
The Fayetteville FireAntz' top goalie for the past five seasons, Collins was traded Monday for future considerations to the Pensacola (Fla.) Ice Flyers, one of the three expansion teams for 2009-10 in the Southern Professional Hockey League.
"I guess we just couldn't come to terms where we'd both be happy," Collins said.
"Chad did a lot for the organization through the years," said FireAntz head coach Tommy Stewart. "He got the No. 1 job in Pensacola and we really couldn't promise him that here."
Collins became the face of the organization during his tenure, which began in a 2004-05 season that saw him selected SPHL Rookie of the Year. Two years later, he won 27 regular-season games and went 7-1-0 in the playoffs as the FireAntz captured the league title. Collins was named Most Valuable Player of the playoffs.
The past two years, his numbers dipped, and in 2008-09 he was 18-16-3 with a 3.50 goals-against average. Late in the season, Stewart added Guy St. Vincent to the roster, and St. Vincent started the final eight regular-season games while Collins sat the bench.
The Antz made the playoffs on the final night of the campaign, and Collins' only postseason appearance was 25-plus minutes of mop-up duty in a blowout loss in which he allowed four goals. St. Vincent started all 12 playoff games, which saw the FireAntz come within 72 seconds of a championship.
Collins is a native of Guelph, Ontario, who made Fayetteville his year-round home from the start. He said that while he's excited by the prospect of a fresh start in Pensacola, parting with the FireAntz is difficult.
"It's tough, but this is definitely being a professional - you know this happens," he said. "I may not have had the greatest season last year, but we were about a .500 club all year. In the playoffs, I would've liked the opportunity to get back in net and do what I do best: win hockey games."
Bridges, Daly sign on
Stewart already has Collins' replacement signed.
He announced Monday that he is bringing in Bryan Bridges, a 23-year-old native of Victoria, British Columbia, who already has six pro seasons of experience. He battled a groin injury last year, Stewart said, as he split time with four teams, but in 2004-05 he won 36 games with Seattle in the Western Hockey League.
"Guy and Bryan are going to be 1A and 1B goalies. I want two guys that're going to push themselves and make our team better," Stewart said. "Hopefully, they will be the best tandem in the league."
Bridges said he is anxious to prove his value again now that he's healthy.
"I'm really excited about coming to Fayetteville," he said. "I don't know a whole lot about the league, but I've talked to quite a few players who have played in the SPHL and they all tell me Fayetteville is a very good place to play."
Stewart also announced the signing of Nathan Daly, a 25-year-old center from North Bay, Ontario, who was part of Knoxville's championship team in 2005-06.
In 2007-08, Daly played in Holland's premier pro league with the Gronigen Pecoma Grizzlies, scoring 36 points in as many games. Last year, he had 42 points in 40 regular-season games for the Geleen of the same league as the Smoke Eaters lost in the playoff semifinals.
"I think I bring experience," Daly said. "I've won a championship in the SPHL before. That's a big part of the reason I'm going to Fayetteville because I know they want to win a championship."
Assistant sports editor Thomas Pope can be reached at popet@fayobserver.com or 486-3520.
SPHL Stories from August 25, 2009
- FireAntz Add Two More - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Ortiz Re-Signs with Havoc - Huntsville Havoc
- Snakes Add Four Forwards - Columbus Cottonmouths
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