Gorillas announce signing of Mark DeSantis
Published on June 1, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX â One of the backbones to the Amarillo Gorillas defense from this past season will return for the 2004-2005 season.
Team Captain Mark DeSantis, who was nominated for the CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman, will be back patrolling the blue line for the black, grey, white, and red after posting 12 goals and 42 assists for 54 points and 113 penalty minutes in all of the 64 regular season games. The announcement of the signing of the Brampton Ontario Canada native was made at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Gorillas Corporate Offices.
DeSantis' outstanding play was noticed as he participated in his third straight Central Hockey League All-Star Game. The Game took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a former city where he used to play.
The Amarillo Gorillas stomped through the 2003-2004 CHL playoffs where they beat the San Angelo Saints in five thrilling games and then coming close to beating the eventual Central Hockey League champion Laredo Bucks. DeSantis had one goal and one assist for two points and appeared in eight of the 11 games.
"In starting the building process of your hockey club, it is very important to bring back character guys that make an impact every night," said Ferras. "With Mark being a cornerstone of the Gorillas organization for the last two seasons, it was very important to get Mark back in the fold."
In DeSantis' first season in Amarillo, he notched seven goals and added 41 assists for 48 points and 106 penalty minutes. The 2002-2003 season was also the first time the Gorillas qualified for the playoffs where they were beaten by Indianapolis in four games. DeSantis had five assists in four of those games.
The Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League signed the six-foot, 205-pound, right-shooting defenseman as a free agent in 1993. He has had a remarkable 11-year professional career, appearing in 748 career regular season and playoff games, notching 112 goals and added 329 assists for 441 points and 1,839 penalty minutes. DeSantis has played in the International Hockey League, American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and the Central Hockey League.
"I expect another big season both offensively and defensively from Mark," said Ferras. "He brings the intensity and work ethic to the rink every day. It's this professionalism that will spill over to the younger players and new editions that will keep us improving as an organization."
Mark DeSantis is the second player under contract for the Amarillo Gorillas for he 2004-2005 season joining leading point getter Derek Hahn. For further information on the Amarillo Gorillas please contact Gorillas Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager Joe Ferras at 242-7825 or 242-0099.
The Amarillo Gorillas are preparing for another exciting season at The Jungle in the Amarillo Civic Center. Full and Partial Season Tickets as well as Corporate Packages are available by either dropping by the Gorillas Hockey Offices located at 1934 Civic Circle or calling 242-7825. The Gorillas summer business hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 1, 2004
- RiverKings and Sports 56 WHBQ partner for game broadcasts - Mississippi RiverKings
- Gorillas announce signing of Mark DeSantis - Amarillo Gorillas
- Bucks & Law Out & About - Laredo Bucks
- RiverKings to play in memorial tournament for Special Olympics athlete - Mississippi RiverKings
- RiverKings veteran will return to patrol blueline - Mississippi RiverKings
- Enforcer Returns for Another Round - San Angelo Saints
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