Gorillas Sign Ryan Shannon
June 13, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX â Defense was one of the Amarillo Gorillas strengths last season, and the hockey club took a huge step to solidifying that position again with the re-signing of Ryan Shannon.
The Leduc, Alberta, Canada native will begin his third season in Amarillo and his second with the Gorillas. Shannon was one of the Gorillas' most durable players last year appearing in all but one game where he notched two goals and 10 assists for 12 points and 125 penalty minutes.
"Ryan played outstanding hockey for us last season," said Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager Joe Ferras. "Ryan was a great leader on and off the ice and I look for him to build off that and be a huge part of our hockey program this season."
Shannon was a standout on defense all season long. He was asked to play in many key situations for the hockey club, including penalty killing where he was a force in keeping the opposition from setting up in front of the net. The big defenseman had tryouts with a couple of National Hockey League teams. His professional career began four years ago in 1999-2000 with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League where he appeared in 52 games, and had one goal and 11 assists for 12 points and 68 penalty minutes.
In 2000-2001, Shannon moved on to the Fort Worth Brahmas of the Western Professional Hockey League where he had one goal and seven assists for eight points and 81 penalty minutes in 32 games.
The six-foot two, 215-pound left-shooting defenseman would begin to make Amarillo home in 2001-2002 as a member of the Rattlers in the Central Hockey League. In 50 games, Shannon picked up two goals and added 10 assists for 12 points and 125 penalty minutes.
"Ryan is a player that takes pride in his defensive game and shutting down the other teams' top lines," said Coach Ferras. "He is a complete team player and one that has enormous respect from his teammates and the coaching staff."
Shannon played his entire junior career with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. In his final season, (1998-99) he captained the Hitmen to the WHL Championship and later the Memorial Cup Canadian Major Junior Hockey Championship game where they would lose in the final in overtime.
Shannon is the third player signed by the Amarillo Gorillas for the 2003-2004 Central Hockey League season along with defenseman Mark DeSantis and forward Henry Kuster.
EUROPEAN DECISIONS
Meantime, Coach Joe Ferras is currently in Canada on a recruiting trip and feels that the prospects for next season look very promising.
Ferras reiterated his thoughts about Brandon Carper and Dorian Anneck's move to Europe to play in the German Elite League.
"Having played in Europe for a number of years I understand and fully support Brandon and Dorian's decision to experience European Hockey," said Ferras. "This is a boost in the arm for our hockey club knowing that there are few spots available for North Americans on European teams. This shows that the caliber of hockey played in the Central Hockey League very strong."
Various Season Ticket packages are available for the upcoming season, starting as low as $300 for full packages and $80 for partial. For further information please contact the Gorillas office at 242-7825.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 13, 2003
- Bats Star Holds Summer Camp - Austin Ice Bats
- Hockey Clinics / Ticket Packs Announced - San Angelo Saints
- Gorillas Sign Ryan Shannon - Amarillo Gorillas
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