Gorillas Sign Two Solid Rookies
Published on August 15, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Amarillo, TX â Finding rookies to play at the professional level can be a difficult job for hockey coaches. The Amarillo Gorillas think they may have found a couple of diamonds in the rough with the signing of forwards Justin Schabes and Joe Degenstein (pronounced Diggin-stein).
Justin Schabes, a native of Orland Park, Illinois spent the past season with the Topeka Scarecrows of the United States Hockey League where he had 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points and 32 penalty minutes in 44 games.
The highlight of the season for the American born player was when he fired three goals in a 7-2 win over the Des Moines Buccaneers.
"Justin is a skilled player with good hands around the net and skates really well," said Scarecrows assistant coach Joe Coombs. Schabes has been a proven goal scorer in the past and potted 82 points (40 goals and 42 assists) for well know Team Illinois, his Triple A Midget Club. "I feel very good with the signing of both Joe and Justin," said Gorillas Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Joe Ferras. "Justin is a player that goes into traffic and is willing to pay the price to put numbers up. He has great speed and handles the puck very well in traffic which will make him a great addition to our offense."
Joe Degenstein, a native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, spent the past season with the Grand Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League where he had 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points and 365 penalty minutes in 57 games.
Degenstein was named co-captain of the Storm and helped them advance to the AJHL championship final against the Drayton Valley Thunder.
Degenstein was drafted by the Portland WinterHawks of the Western Hockey League, and saw some major junior action with the Kootenay Ice. In 13 games with the Ice, he had one assist and 20 Penalty Minutes.
"With Joe Degenstein we are getting a player that competes hard every night and a player that will be very valuable on our fore check. With our smaller ice surface it will be great to see Joe get in and finish on the opposition defensemen," said Ferras.
The 6'2'' â 225-pounder was a fan favorite with Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League due to his pugnacious style. In the 1999-2000 season, Degenstein was involved in roughly 30 fights.
Justin Schabes and Joe Degenstein bring the total number of signings of the Amarillo Gorillas to 13, including Brian Pellerin (F),Mark DeSantis (D),Chris Robertson (F), Scott Wray (F), Ryan Shannon (D), Todd St. Louis (F/D), Dave Rattray (F), Eric Andersen (D), Shawn Degagne (G), Ben Maidment (F), and Steve Debus (G).
The Amarillo Gorillas will begin their first season in the Central Hockey League on Friday, Oct. 18 when they host their arch rival Lubbock Cotton Kings at 7 p.m. Season Tickets and Game Packs are available for just a few bananas and for more information, contact (806) 242-7825.
Central Hockey League Stories from August 15, 2002
- Chris Johnston Joins Oilers - Tulsa Oilers
- Blazers Sign Pair of Rookies - Oklahoma City Blazers
- Kyle Reeves bringing scoring skills to Ft. Worth - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Two Players Sign with Bucks - Laredo Bucks
- Gorillas Sign Two Solid Rookies - Amarillo Gorillas
- Ice Bats Get Their Goalie - Austin Ice Bats
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