Fury Add D-Man, Local Goalie
Published on September 4, 2008 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON - The Muskegon Fury added depth to their blue line and a bit of local talent with the signings of defenseman Steven Later and goaltender Adam Dekker for the 2008-09 season.
Later, 23, joins the Fury after playing his first three professional seasons in the East Coast Hockey League, splitting last season between the Bakersfield Condors and the Reading Royals. In 51 games last season, Later notched 27 points (9g, 18a) and 198 penalty minutes.
"Steven Later is an all-purpose defenseman that does well in all aspects of the game," Ramsay said. "He's big, strong and gritty with offensive capabilities. He should be a menacing and imposing presence on the blue line for us next season."
Later (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) broke in with the Pensacola Ice Pilots in the 2005-06 season, when he notched 21 points (7g, 11a) and 176 penalty minutes in 40 games. That same season, he appeared in 11 games with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, where had an assist and six penalty minutes.
Later played three seasons of junior hockey in the Western Hockey League before his professional career began, breaking out in the 2004-05 season with the Brandon Wheat Kings. In 70 games that season, he had 63 points (14g, 49a) and 220 penalty minutes. His 63 points were second among all defensemen in the WHL that season. He also notched seven points (2g, 5a) and 34 penalty minutes in 11 playoff games that season, helping the Wheat Kings to the WHL finals.
A Muskegon native, Dekker joins the Fury after a brief stint with the Wichita Thunder of the CHL at the end of last season.
"Adam is a young, up-and-coming goalie who had a tremendous college career and is looking to break into the professional ranks full-time," Ramsay said. "He's coming in to push Clayton Pool and Isaac Reichmuth for a spot on the roster."
Following two junior seasons with the North American Hockey League's Soo Indians, Dekker, 24, joined Utica in 2004. He went 14-4-6 in his freshman season and was named East Coast Athletic Conference West Goalie of the Year. Dekker (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) recorded a career-high three shutouts in his junior season, and last season went 9-6-1 with a .912 save percentage and two shutouts. Over four seasons at Utica, Dekker was 47-30-13 with a 2.47 goals against average and seven shutouts.
Dekker joined the Thunder on a five-game contract after his college season was over this spring, and appeared in three games. His record was 0-1-0 with a 6.77 goals against average and a .835 save percentage.
The Fury now have 22 players under contract for the 2008-09 season. Muskegon hosts Bloomington in a preseason game on October 11 before opening the regular season at home against Port Huron on October 18.
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