Fury obtain new goaltender
Published on March 14, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- As they get set to commence the final 17-games of the 2005-06 United Hockey League regular season, the two-time defending Colonial Cup Champions, the Muskegon Fury , are continuing their efforts to streng-hten and solidify their roster in their bid to capture a second consecutive Tarry Cup regular season crown.
On this date, the Fury have completed their second major trade in the past week with this latest transaction consisting of a three player deal with their Eastern Division rivals, the Elmira Jackals. In Muskegon's latest roster move, the Fury have obtained goaltender NICK BOUCHER from the Elmira club in exchange for defenseman BRETT ANGEL and right wing ANTHONY BLUMER.
As part of today's latest Fury developments, the club also has also announced the retirement of goaltender KEVIN LAPOINTE.
The Fury's newest goaltender, BOUCHER, (BOO-shay) is a 25-year-old Western Canadian native from Cobble Hill, British Columbia. He arrives on the Fury hockey scene as a third-year pro who is currently in his initial campaign in the UHL. As Elmira's number one goalkeeper in this 2005-06 season, he saw action in 34-games, posting a record of 32(10-18-4) with a 3.94 GAA, 1-shutout and a SPCT of .888. On the Fury's opening night, back on October 22nd and a 3-1 triumph over the Jackals, Boucher was utterly electrifying in goal despite his team's defeat as he earned the game's #2 Star honors with a brilliant 43-saves performance. Just last month, he was acclaimed the Southern Sports Supply / UHL Goaltender of the Week for the week of 2/6/06.
Originally selected in the ninth round, 280th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Boucher achieved ECHL All-Star status in his first pro season with the Wheeling Nailers in 2003-04. In 29-games there, the 5-11, 175lb human puck detour posted a superb 27(20-6-1) record, carding 4-shutouts, a 2.48 GAA and .908 SPCT. Staying in the ECHL last season, in 2004-05, he was the Pee Dee Pride's consummate workhorse, performing in 50-games, authoring a 44(17-22-5) mark with 3-shutouts, a 2.74 GAA and .910 SPCT.
The Fury's Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson expressed much satisfaction with his club's latest trade, especially at such a key, important position. "This was a move that was important for us to make. For the stretch drive and the post-season, we wanted to solidify our goaltending position. With today's acquisition of Nick Boucher, we feel that we have succeeded. Nick is a quality goaltender who will have a fresh start in a new organiza-tion. With Nick and Clayton Pool, we believe that we now have a very capable, steady goalkeeping tandem as both of them are very capable of winning big games for us."
Addressing the matter of the two departing players, T. Nelson stated. "Brett Angel and Anthony Blumer are two solid hockey players that can look forward to having a fresh start with a good organization in Elmira."
As for Boucher, the Fury's latest acquisition comes from a collegiate hockey background that produced some superla-tive credentials. A four-year standout at Dartmouth College of the highly-prestigious ECAC Division I conference, he set numerous school records. In fact, when he left the Ivy League institution, he had established all-time school career records for games (105), saves (2,803), SPCT (.907), along with earning one Team MVP award.
As for Elmira's newest additions, Angel, 24, is in his first pro season, having been signed by the Fury as a free agent on 9/26/05 while attending the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins training camp. In 46-games, the Kingston, Ontario native was 46(0-6-6) with 196-PIM. Angel had also been summoned to the Griffins on a pair of occasions.
Blumer, 23, had been acquired just last week, 3/8/06 from the Quad City Mallards along with defenseman Tom Galvin in a four player deal that saw the Fury send defenseman Steve O'Rourke and right wing Jeff Petruic to the "Green-heads." He saw service in 3-Fury games before moving on to the Jackals.
The Fury's newest acquisition, goaltender Nick Boucher is expected for his first Fury practice Wednesday morning at 10:00 am at Walker Arena. He will formally don the Fury colors for the first time this Friday night when Muskegon hosts Central Division rival Flint in a 7:30 clash at Walker Arena.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 14, 2006
- Hogs acquire Mizerek at the deadline - Rockford IceHogs
- Frostbite Complete Trade Prior to Deadline - Adirondack Frostbite
- Jackals Trade Kotary To Quad City Before Deadline - Elmira Jackals
- IceHogs announce charitable foundation - Rockford IceHogs
- Mechanics Active At Trade Deadline - Motor City Mechanics
- Mallards Add Littlejohn and Kotary at Trading Deadline - Quad City Mallards
- Jackals Send Boucher To Muskegon In Three-Player Trade - Elmira Jackals
- Fury obtain new goaltender - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Komets Hold Second in West With Five Weeks Remaining - Fort Wayne Komets
- RiverDogs week in review - Richmond RiverDogs
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