Gorillas Grow Stronger Defensively with Latest Signing
Published on July 21, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX â The Amarillo Gorillas added more toughness to its blueline this week with the signing of Mario Cormier.
The Moncton, New Brunswick native is no stranger to Amarillo fans, after spending time with the New Mexico Scorpions and the Abilene Aviators of the Western Professional Hockey League. In three WPHL seasons, Cormier had three goals, 26 assists for 29 points and 160 penalty minutes in 161 games.
"If there is a player's style that was built for the Amarillo Gorillas ice surface it is Mario Cormier," said Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager Joe Ferras. "Mario plays a very sound defensive game and takes pride in winning one-on-one battles with his physical play."
Cormier said he is looking forward to his return to the Central Hockey League.
"I am very excited to be playing in Amarillo this season," said Cormier from his New Brunswick home. "I have a few friends on the team such as Coach (Joe) Ferras, Brian (Pellerin) and Mark (DeSantis) who was my defensive partner in New Mexico. It helped to make my decision to come to Amarillo that much easier."
The five-foot, 11-inch 215-pound left-shooting defenseman also spent time in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) with the South Carolina Stingrays and the Jacksonville Lizard Kings where he netted seven points in 68 games and amassed 88 penalty minutes.
"Mario is a team guy in all areas of the game," said Ferras. "He is the type of player that you love to play with, but hate to play against and he is willing to do whatever it takes to win hockey games, including sacrificing his body every game" Cormier said hard work is what characterizes his play.
"I am a hard worker and give 100 per cent every shift out there," he said. "I am a defensive defenseman and I like to try and shutdown the opposition."
Cormier played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Beauport Harfangs, Drummondville Voltigeurs, the Moncton Aplines and the Moncton Wildcats. He appeared in 267 junior games where he netted nine goals and 41 assists for 48 points and 682 penalty minutes.
Mario Cormier is the 10th player signed by the Amarillo Gorillas this season joining teammates Mark DeSantis, Ryan Shannon, Henry Kuster, Eric Andersen, Ben Gustavson, Scott Wray, Derrell Upton, Sam Hill and Mike Bournazakis.
Preparations are continuing for the Amarillo Gorillas 2003-2004 Central Hockey League season at The Jungle in the Amarillo Civic Center. The schedule should be released within the next week. Full and partial season tickets are available at all price ranges and for further information please contact 242-7825.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 21, 2003
- Gorillas Grow Stronger Defensively with Latest Signing - Amarillo Gorillas
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