Gorillas Sign Another Talented Rookie
July 15, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Amarillo, TX â The Amarillo Gorillas have dipped back into the large talent pool at the Rochester Institute of Technology for its second rookie signing for the 2003-2004 season.
The Gorillas signed forward Mike Bournazakis, after being ranked among the top three in RIT scoring each of the last four seasons. In 106 career games at RIT, Bournazakis fired 66 goals and chipped in 135 assists for 201 points. He has picked up 16 game-winning goals and 30 power play markers.
"You always hope your rookies can make an impact," said Gorillas Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager Joe Ferras. "Mike has been a proven scorer at every level and I am confident he will continue to do so at the CHL level."
Mike Bournazakis is no stranger to the Central Hockey League as his brother Peter and former line-mate Derek Hahn were the past two winners of the Central Hockey League's Rookie-of-the-Year Award. Bournazakis, a native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, said knowledge of the league should help make his adjustment to professional hockey much easier.
"My brother Peter and friend Derek Hahn both had very successful seasons in the CHL," Mike Bournazakis said. "From talking to them, I feel very prepared coming into training camp and hope to contribute a great deal to the Gorillas hockey club."
"Mike is very strong on the puck and is very effective in traffic," said Coach Ferras. "With the size of the rink in Amarillo, these qualities will help create a lot of scoring chances and he'll be a great asset on our power play."
Bournazakis has received many prestigious honors in his collegiate career. He was named ECAC West Rookie of the Year during his freshman season and in his senior year, he was named the Rochester Press Radio Club's Male College Athlete of the Year.
"We are hoping that this season's rookies, Sam Hill and Mike Bournazakis have the same impact that the Hockey Club received with our two top notch rookies Derek Hahn and Darren Curry last season," said Ferras.
Mike Bournazakis is the ninth player signed by the Amarillo Gorillas for the 2003-2004 Central Hockey League season, joining Mark DeSantis, Henry Kuster, Ben Gustavson, Ryan Shannon, Eric Andersen, Derrell Upton, Scott Wray and Sam Hill.
Full and partial season ticket packages are on sale for the 2003-2004 Central Hockey League season for the Amarillo Gorillas. For further information, please contact the Gorillas Hockey Office at 242-7825.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 15, 2003
- Bats Schedule Press Conference To Address Coaching Status - Austin Ice Bats
- Just Peachy - San Angelo Saints
- Enforcer Cornish to Return - Laredo Bucks
- Gorillas Sign Another Talented Rookie - Amarillo Gorillas
- Blacktop Hockey Makes Weekly Stop at Sam Houston Park Every Tuesday - Amarillo Gorillas
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