Gulls ink another trio
Published on October 1, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
SAN DIEGO â The San Diego Gulls have signed left-wingers Max Birbraer, Tom Clayton and defenseman Jonathon Shockey for the 2004-05 season, head coach Martin St. Amour announced on Friday. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Birbraer, 23, joins the Gulls after spending the majority of last season with the Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League, posting career highs with 16 goals, 14 assists and 30 points in 44 games. He also notched five points (3g, 2a) during the Bucks' run to the 2003-04 CHL title. Over a four-year professional career, which includes four years in the American Hockey League, Birbraer has recorded 70 points (35g and 35a) in 208 games. The 6-foot-2-inch, 195-pound native of Kamenogorski, Kazakhstan was the third-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and was signed as a free agent by the Florida Panthers in 2003. He is the first Israeli to ever be drafted by an NHL team.
Clayton, 26, comes to San Diego after playing with the Elmira Jackals of the United Hockey league for the last three seasons. In 2002-2003, he earned 10 goals and 8 assists in 72 games, all career highs. The 5-foot-10-inch, 180-pound winger from Binghamton, N.Y. played three years at Niagara University prior to turning pro. Clayton spent part of training camp last season with the AHL's Binghamton Senators.
Shockey, 28, arrives as the veteran of the bunch, having spent the majority of his six-year professional career in the West Coast Hockey League. In 397 games, the 6-foot-2-inch, 190-pound native of Lethbridge, Alberta has recorded 20 goals, 78 assists, and 1058 penalty minutes. In addition to his WCHL experience, the defenseman has also played in the International Hockey League, ECHL, AHL, and for the Canadian National Team. Joining the team following a stint last season with the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers, Shockey now gets to contribute to the Gulls after attaining 11 points (2g, 9a) and 206 PIM in 43 career games against San Diego.
The Gulls open their second season in the ECHL Friday, Oct. 22 in Long Beach and open their home schedule Saturday, Oct. 23 against Fresno. Season ticket packages as well as individual game tickets are currently on sale. For pricing and benefits, contact 619-224-GOAL, ext. 7. For information regarding any promotions and giveaways during the 2004-05 season, log onto www.sandiegogulls.com.
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