Four players sign with Gorillas for 2008-09
October 3, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Amarillo, TX 10/3/08 - As 2008 training camp fast approaches, Gorillas Head Coach Tom Coolen signed four players Friday, helping to solidify his roster.
Radovan Sloboda (pronounced slow-BO-da), of Bratislava, Slovakia, and Jamie Wright, of Fenelon Falls, Ontario were both signed to strengthen the Amarillo defensive corps. Wright played in Europe last season, scoring 29 points in 50 games with Thuringen EHC in the German Oberliga. Sloboda, meanwhile, has played most of his career in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, playing a total of 40 games in 2007-08 between HC Sumperk (Czech 1.liga) and Zilina (Slovakia Extraliga).
"(Sloboda) is a big, tough defensman, and has been good for a number of years in Europe," said Coolen. "It will be interesting to see him go against the competition in the Central Hockey League."
Added to the Gorillas group of forwards are Red Deer, Alberta native Dustin Claffey and U.S.-born Pat Lee. Claffey scored 31 goals during 69 games at Augustana University in Alberta, and hails from the same hometown as fellow Gorilla Austin Sutter. Lee, meanwhile, scored over a point per game while with the Springfield Junior Blues of the NAHL, netting a high of 76 points in 54 games. Lee was also the leading scorer in the 2008 IIHF Men's InLine Hockey World Championships, scoring 18 points in just six games against a field that included several NHL players.
"Both Claffey and Lee could step up and be real solid players in the Central Hockey League," Coolen remarked of his latest forward signees. "With Lee being the leading scorer in the InLine World Championships, he's got the potential to be a good scorer for us this year."
The Gorillas' first pre-season game will take place October 10 at the Amarillo Civic Center. Tickets are just $5 (not including a $2 facilities fee), and are available now at the Gorillas ticketing office! Call (806) 242-PUCK (7825) for details.
Enjoy all the benefits of being an Amarillo Gorillas season ticket holder, including pregame meetings with Coach Coolen and one-of-a-kind access to special events! Gorillas season tickets for 2008-09 are available by calling (806) 242-PUCK (7825) or by visiting the Gorillas office at 901 Buchanan in Amarillo.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2008
- Rage Sign Three More as Training Camp Begins Monday - Rocky Mountain Rage
- CHL Names Todd Bisson Manager of Hockey Administration - CHL
- Mudbugs Release Training Camp Roster, Dates - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Eagles Camp Set to Start on Monday - Colorado Eagles
- Brahmas to host "Meet the Players" party - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Show Your Passion With First National Bank Killer Bee Check Card - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- RiverKings and Norfolk Reach Working Agreement - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Announce Training Camp Schedule - Laredo Bucks
- Four players sign with Gorillas for 2008-09 - Amarillo Gorillas
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