Gorillas bring back one pillar of defense corps
Published on June 30, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX â The Amarillo Gorillas of the Central Hockey League announced today that one of the anchors of the defense corps and top defensive defenseman in the entire League has been re-signed.
Ryan Shannon has agreed to terms for the 2004-2005 season. It will be Shannon's third year with the Gorillas and fourth in Amarillo. Shannon says he is excited to be coming back.
"We have made a lot of progress the last three years to put a championship team together," said Shannon. "My objective is to win a championship and hopefully next year is the big step."
The 6-foot, two-inch, 215-pound defenseman appeared in 62 of the teams 64 games during the 2004-2005 season and notched 2 goals and 8 assists for 10 points and 86 penalty minutes. In 10 playoff games, Shannon had four assists for four points and eight penalty minutes.
"Shanny (Ryan Shannon) has had two outstanding seasons with the Gorillas organization," said Gorillas Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager Joe Ferras. "He logs a ton of ice time and battles against every team's top lines and thrives on the challenge."
Shannon, a native of Leduc, Alberta Canada, posted two goals and seven assists for nine points and 77 penalty minutes in 63 games during the Gorillas' 2002-2003 season. His first year in Amarillo was the 2001-2002 season as a member of the Rattlers where he collected two goals and 10 assists for 12 points and 125 penalty minutes in 50 games.
Shannon said the community of Amarillo treats him so well and that is another reason for returning.
"I get treated so well there that it's almost like coming home," he said. "Joe and Brian have done such a good job recruiting and that is a main reason why we are doing so well."
Shannon first turned professional with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, where he was placed following a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. In 52 games during the 1998-1999 season, Shannon had one goal and 11 assists for 12 points and 68 penalty minutes. He moved on to the next season with the Fort Worth Brahmas of the former Western Professional Hockey League where he had eight points in 32 games.
"Ryan brings a ton of experience and leadership to the dressing room and away from the rink and will be counted on heavily in this regard again this season," said Ferras. "Ryan along with DeSantis, Curry and Butler solidifies our top four defensive corps heading into the new season."
Ryan Shannon had a brilliant junior career with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League where he captained the team to the Memorial Cup Canadian Major Junior Hockey Championship Game. In 272 career junior games with the Hitmen, Shannon had six goals and 46 assists for 52 points and 650 penalty minutes. He appeared in 38 playoff games where he had one goal and four assists for five points and 95 penalty minutes.
Ryan Shannon is the fifth player signed by the Amarillo Gorillas for the 2004-2005 season joining fellow blue-liners Mark DeSantis, Darren Curry and Tyler Butler as well as forward Derek Hahn. For further information on the signing please contact Assistant Coach Brian Pellerin at 242-7825.
The Amarillo Gorillas are building up the power for the 2004-2005 season. Corporate Packages as well as full and partial season tickets are available by dropping by the Corporate offices at 1934 Civic Circle or by calling 242-7825.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2004
- Rayz white and blue - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Blazers Sign Two Rookies - Oklahoma City Blazers
- Gorillas bring back one pillar of defense corps - Amarillo Gorillas
- Thunder re-sign defenseman - Wichita Thunder
- Tarantulas sign player - Topeka Tarantulas
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