Fury see new faces in dispersal, expansion drafts
June 7, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- This past Tuesday in Detroit, the United Hockey League conducted a special league-wide Dispersal Draft as well as Expansion Draft as plans commenced to prepare for the 2006-07 UHL season. The Dispersal Draft, which preceded the Expansion conscription, was conducted to liquidate the player assets of three member clubs, the Missouri River Otters, Motor City Mechanics and Roanoke Valley Vipers, all of which ceased operations with the conclusion of the 2005-06 campaign.
Under the auspices of Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman and Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson, the Fury accentuated first-year pros through their initial three selections in the draft. Opting for two rookies from former Central Division rival Motor City and a third from Roanoke Valley, the Fury tabbed right wing TYLER DONATI from the Mechanics with their top choice and 11th overall. Donati, 20, was a late season acquisition by Motor City being signed as a free agent by former Fury Colonial II head coach Danton Cole, following an outstanding Major Junior 'A' career in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals and the Toronto St. Michael's Majors. Before his arrival to the UHL, the 5-10, 175lb Oakville, Ontario native engineered 72-points in 68 games with the Majors on 36-goals, 36-assists with 50-PIM. In his brief 4-games' stint in Motor City, Donati was 4(0-1-1) with 4-PIM and 10-SOG.
With their second choice, 22nd overall, Muskegon opted for another rookie in center MATT MILLER of Roanoke. A free agent signee by the Vipers at the inception of the 2005-06 season, the 6-0, 195lb right-shooting forward saw action in 59-games, collecting 18-points on 8-goals, 10-assists with 157-PIM, along with 1-PPG, 1-SHG, 1-FG and 102-SOG. The Sioux Lookout, Ontario native 22-year old is still classified under rookie status for next season, having performed in 60 or fewer games the past season.
The Fury made it three consecutive rookie selections in round #3 when they called the name of left wing JORDAN OWENS, also from Motor City. The 6-0, 170lb native of Niagara Falls, Ontario is coming off two excellent seasons with the Mississauga Ice Dogs of the OHL. In 2005-06, he fashioned 54-points in 66-games on 26-goals, 28-assists and 47-PIM.
Musekgon's fourth and final selection served as an opportunity to reclaim the UHL playing rights to defenseman CLAY WILSON, who had been lost by Muskegon to Missouri during the April 2006 UHL Waiver Draft. The former Michigan Tech standout began the 2005-06 season with the Fury before being summoned to AHL Grand Rapids following Muskegon's 13th game of the regular season. In 13-games as a member of the Fury, the 6-0, 195lb Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota native was 13(3-9-12) while with the Griffins, his numbers were 60(10-27-37) with 40-PIM. In the Calder Cup Playoffs, Wilson was 16(0-3-3) with 8-PIM.
Muskegon did pass in the fifth and final round of the UHL Dispersal Draft.
Subsequent to the Dispersal Draft, the UHL proceeded to hold its Expansion Draft expressly to begin the process of stocking player personnel for the newest league entry, the expansionist Bloomington (IL) Prairie Thunder.
Making their league debut in the 2006-07 season, Bloomington chose Fury defenseman / right wing Jason Lawmaster with their eighth overall selection. Lawmaster, 27, recently completed his seventh pro campaign overall and his third in the UHL with Muskegon. A member of the last two Fury Colonial Cup title timber teams of 2003-04 (Colonial Cup III) and 2004-05 (Colonial Cup IV), the 6-1, 215lb Westland, MI native played 50-games the past season, earning 27-points on 10-goals, 17-assists with 224-PIM and +7 rating.
2006 UHL DISPERSAL DRAFT
1- Donati, Tyler RW Motor City (UHL), Toronto St. Michael's (OHL)
2- Miller, Matt C Roanoke Valley (UHL)
3- Owens, Jordan LW Motor City (UHL), Mississauga (OHL)
4- Wilson, Clay Def Muskegon (UHL), Grand Rapids (AHL)
5- Passed
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from June 7, 2006
- Chicago Hounds Announce Greg Puhalski as Head Coach for Inaugural Season - Chicago Hounds
- Flags claim five players in dispersal draft - Port Huron Flags
- Martinson to lead Rockford for third straight campaign - Rockford IceHogs
- Fury see new faces in dispersal, expansion drafts - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Komets looking for coach - Fort Wayne Komets
- Trashers add four players in dispersal draft - Danbury Trashers
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