Four Fresh Faces For First Place Pensacola
Published on November 19, 2009 under SPHL (SPHL)
Pensacola Ice Flyers News Release
The Pensacola Ice Flyers announced today the signing of three new players. Derek Hansberry, Rich Zalewski, and Joey Hughes will all join the first-place Ice Flyers this Friday and Saturday for two games in Fayetteville. The new players, in addition to Mark Hinz (whom the Ice Flyers signed last week) will add a boost to an already strong Ice Flyers team.
"Adding those forwards up front gives us a little extra. Joey Hughes gives us a lot of energy, and the addition of Hansberry is going to give us a little more offense," Ice Flyers coach Todd Gordon explained. "They'll add a little more speed, and they're natural goal-scorers."
Derek Hansberry joins the Ice Flyers after spending time with the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League. Before entering the Eagles' training camp this season, Hansberry played four years with the NCAA Division III University of Wisconsin-River Falls. In 110 college contests Hansberry scored 74 goals and notched 57 assists and was named team MVP both his freshman and senior seasons. A smart player on and off the ice, Hansberry achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.88 and was a three-time academic All-NCHA team selection.
Joey Hughes hails from Australia but is no stranger to the ice: over the last four years Hughes played college hockey for St. Scholastica. The 5-11, 190 pound Hughes played 100 games over his four year collegiate career, amassing 13 goals and 25 assists.
Rich Zalewski comes to Pensacola from the Twin City Cyclones of last season's SPHL. In six games the six foot, 204 pound defenseman contributed to the Cyclones' offense by assisting on a goal last season. Prior to the Cyclones, Zalewski played collegiately at SUNY-Oswego, recording 14 goals, 29 assists, and 114 penalty minutes in 83 games.
Coach Gordon is pleased to have Zalewski as part of his defense, feeling that "the addition of Hinz and Zalewski on the back end will solidify us defensively and put a little more polish than what we've had."
Indeed, Mark Hinz has already made his mark on the Ice Flyers, contributing greatly in two games against the Huntsville Havoc. In Huntsville on November 14, Hinz scored a goal and added two assists to help the Ice Flyers top the Havoc 4-3 in overtime. The 5-11, 189 pound Hinz played with the Allen Americans earlier this season, finding ice time in two games. From 2006-2009 Hinz played for the University of Saskatchewan, and the two years prior to that Hinz represented Minnesota State University-Mankato. Hinz best collegiate season was 2006-2007 when he scored five goals and 11 assists for the Huskies.
Along with the roster additions, the Ice Flyers waived Erik Stoyanovich, Chris Healey, and Arthur Fritch, with Fritch being claimed by Huntsville. Taylor Hustead was traded to Knoxville for cash considerations.
The first place Ice Flyers return to Pensacola Friday, November 27 to host the Mississippi Surge at 7:05 p.m. For ticket information, please visit www.pensacolaiceflyers.com. For groups, parties, or corporate event information please email jeff@pensacolaiceflyers.com.
SPHL Stories from November 19, 2009
- Surge Battle To The End, But Bears Win 5-4 - Mississippi Surge
- Four Fresh Faces For First Place Pensacola - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- Ice Bears Get Much Needed Win Over IceGators - Knoxville Ice Bears
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