Fury sign former Michigan State star Jon Insana

Published on October 12, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI.--- Having completed the pre-season schedule as they did last season with a completely perfect record, the reigning Colonial Cup Champions of the United Hockey League, the Muskegon Fury, are in the process of applying the finishing touches to their latest lineup as they embark on the defense of the franchise 2003-04 league crown.

Recently concluding their three-game pre-season schedule with an unblemished 3(3-0-0) record following a season-climaxing, club record 14-game winning streak in the year of Colonial Cup III, the "Furious Ones" have taken another positive step with the UHL opening weekend 2004-05 looking at them straight ahead.

Today, the Fury Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman, in concert with Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson, have announced that Muskegon has signed top-flight defenseman JON INSANA to a contract deal for the new season. Adhering to club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

INSANA, 24, is commencing his third pro season; his first in the UHL and with the Fury. He arrives on the "Titletown Hockeytown" landscape following an excellent training camp with Muskegon's AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he saw action in two of their three pre-season games. He brings to the Fury a rich resume of experience and accomplishments from both the collegiate and professional ranks.

The 6-0, 202lb native of New Baltimore, Michigan has played the preponderance of his pro career in the ECHL with a couple of short stints in the AHL along the way. Last season, in the 2003-04 campaign, Insana saw action in his second season with the ECHL Florida Everblades. While there, he helped lead his club to a tied for second place position in the Eastern Conference Southern Division standings with a record of 72(37-25-10) for 84-total points. His Florida team advanced all the way to the Kelly Cup Championship Finals before bowing to Idaho. In 58-games with the Everblades, he collected 30-points on 6-goals, 24-assists with 38-PIM. The right-hand shooting defenseman was especially effective on his Florida team's power play, authoring 11-points through 2-goals, 9-assists. He did realize a one-game opportunity as well with the Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL.

In recent vintage, under his guidance, the Coach Nelson defensive effort and ultimate performance have been exemplary as Muskegon yielded a scant 4-GA in sweeping through their three-game pre-season docket. When they captured their third Colonial Cup crown in five calendar years last May, his Fury did it with defensive wizardry, surrendering an all-time UHL league record low 14-GA in the 11(11-0) record. The Fury bench pilot, himself, a stellar defenseman in his time, in his own right, knows what Insana can do and is enthused about his presence on the club's back line. "We have been searching for a defenseman to bring our entire blue line corps totally together. With today's addition of Jon Insana as well as Dave Van Drunen, our defense seems to be well-solidified as we start the new season. As far as Jon is concerned, he brings us plenty of experience with plenty of upside. In fact, he almost made the Grand Rapids final roster. Jon should be an excellent complement to our whole defense crew. We expect him to fit in nicely and make things happen for us this season."

Insana was originally selected by the Fury in the fifth round of the March 2002 UHL North American Amateur Draft, during his senior year at perennial national collegiate power Michigan State. Over two years later, he will finally make his Muskegon debut and the former Spartans' star is looking forward to opening weekend playing for the champions. "It is really great to come to an organization that has enjoyed so much success for so many years. It is my hope to come in here and contribute and make an impact right away. There is a lot of energy here to be on top and stay on top and I'm excited about being a part of this."

His pro career was launched in the 2002-03 campaign with the ECHL Trenton Titans where he saw service in 20-games; 20(2-2-4)22-PIM before he was dealt to the Florida club 23(1-4-5)12-PIM. In that same year, he also enjoyed an AHL trial with the Manchester Monarchs.

A four-year standout at "State," Insana earned several major accolades playing for the Green and White. Most notably, he captured the Dr. John Downs Team Best Defenseman Award at the conclusion of his senior season in 2001-02. The year previously, in 2000-01, he was named to the NCAA West Regional All-Tournament Team.

With today's latest Fury player signing two former MSU star teammates are re-united as Insana was a Spartan teammate of Fury 4-year right wing Rustyn Dolyny.

FURY ROSTER PLAYER MOVEMENT: With today's signing of defenseman Jon Insana and the arrival of another defenseman, Dave Van Drunen, the Fury have released three players from their training camp roster. Players released are goaltender Dan Hoehne, defenseman Joe Pace and left wing Alexander Thymaras.

OPENING WEEKEND 2004-05: The Fury, along with the rest of the UHL will inaugurate the new season this Friday night, October 15th when Muskegon journeys to Flint for a 7:30 pm face-off. The Fury will open their 40-game regular season home schedule the following night, Saturday, October 16th at 7:30 pm, hosting the Motor City Mechanics. The Fury will celebrate Colonial Cup III one more time as they raise their latest championship banner and present the rings to the champs. In addition, the first 1000 fans will receive a replica Fury championship banner, compliments of DTE ENERGY.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 12, 2004


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