Gorillas Re-Sign All-Star Defenseman Mark DeSantis
Published on May 13, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX â After a successful and record breaking 2002-2003 Central Hockey League season, the Amarillo Gorillas are looking to continue the winning tradition in the upcoming year.
Head Coach/ Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager Joe Ferras began to assemble the group of talented players with the hopes to putting together a Gorillas hockey club that will surpass all the achievements and records attained by the 2002-2003 team.
His first step was to re-sign the cornerstone of the Gorillas defenseman corps with player-assistant coach Mark DeSantis.
The Brampton, Ontario native was one of the Gorillas ironmen last season appearing in all of the team's 64 games, while notching seven goals and 41 assists for 48 points. DeSantis had an even plus-minus rating although he played against the other team's top forward lines all season long. He was second on the team in shots on goal had five points in the first four playoff games in Amarillo history.
"I believe the key to any successful team is character people," said Gorillas head coach Joe Ferras. "Mark is a premier defensemen in the Central Hockey League and is a player that demands a lot from himself and from his teammates."
The former Central Hockey League and Western Professional Hockey League all-star was also instrumental in helping the Gorillas finish fourth in goals against and third in shots for in the CHL last season.
DeSantis was signed as a free-agent by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 1992, and was sent to their minor league affiliate in San Diego. In the past 10 years he has played for 13 different hockey teams in five different leagues, while amassing 98 goals and 308 assists for 406 points.
This could be a milestone year for DeSantis who is two goals shy of 100 for his career and is 94 points away from 500 for his professional career.
"Mark was a big reason that we were able to get to the playoffs for the first time in Amarillo history," said Ferras. "When the leader of your team doesn't accept losing, it has a very positive reaction throughout the dressing room and it's this leadership that will be counted on next season."
The 6'1'', 218-pound, right-shooting defenseman was runner up for the 2001-2002 CHL Defenseman Of The Year, and was third ranked offensive and defensive defenseman in the 2001-2002 CHL Best-Of-The-Best Poll.
Mark DeSantis is the first player signed by the Amarillo Gorillas for the 2003-2004 Central Hockey League season.
Season Ticket packages are available for the upcoming season by calling the Amarillo Gorillas hockey office at 806-242-7825.
Central Hockey League Stories from May 13, 2003
- Gorillas Re-Sign All-Star Defenseman Mark DeSantis - Amarillo Gorillas
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