SPHL Huntsville Havoc

Havoc sign forward, defenseman and goalie

Published on September 14, 2005 under SPHL (SPHL)
Huntsville Havoc News Release


HUNTSVILLE, AL - Huntsville Havoc head coach, John Gibson, announced today that the team has signed forward, Bill Monkman, defenseman, Mike Owens, and goalie, Andrew Reynolds, to try-out agreements.

Monkman (5-11, 175) has played in 104 professional games and scored 49 goals and added 22 assists for 71 points. He has stops with the Topeka Scarecrows, Macon Whoopee and Bakersfield Condors. He played in 59 games in three seasons at the University of Guelph and scored 34 goals and added 39 assists.

"Monkman was a teammate of mine in Topeka," Gibson said. "He has a lot of offensive skill and touch around the net. He was an all star in the CHL and I look for him to put up some solid numbers this season."

Owens (6-0, 205) has spent the past four seasons playing at Utica College. He played in 108 games and scored nine goals and added 25 assists. He played in 68 junior games for the Syracuse Crunch in 2000-01 and scored eight goals and added 33 assists.

"Owens is a defenseman that attended our prospects camp in Delaware," said Gibson. "After watching the scrimmage tapes of the games he started to stand out more and more. He has great feet and does not get beat in one-on-ones. He will be a solid stay at home style defenseman that every team needs."

Reynolds (5-11, 185) served as the emergency goaltender for the Muskegon Fury of the United Hockey League last season. He two seasons at SUNY-Brockport where he posted a 10-22 record, a 4.32 goal against average and an 87.0 save percentage in 32 games. He played two seasons at SUNY-Morrisville School of Technology and posted 27-1-4 record, a 1.75 goal against average, a 92.0 save percentage in 37 games.

"Reynolds was also a player that attended our prospects camp," Gibson said. "After further evaluation Andy was offered a chance to come and compete at the goalie position. He has good technique and I am looking forward to seeing him compete."

Havoc forward, Mike Degurse, has informed the team that he has accepted an offer to play in the League of North American Hockey with the Caron Et Guay Trois Rivieres. Degurse has been a permanent fixture for professional hockey in Huntsville since 1996. He put up 44 points and 198 penalty minutes last season while serving as Captain for the Havoc.

"Obviously Mike's announcement to take an offer from the LNAH leaves us with a large hole to fill," said Gibson. "I hate to see him go but he has a family and this is the right decision for them. I wish him all the best and thank him for all he has done for me, the team and the organization."

Forward, Dan Buccella, will be joining the expansion Youngstown SteelHounds of the Central Hockey League and forward Aaron Lewis is also expected to join a team in the Central League. Buccella played in every game for the Channel Cats in 2003-04 and for the Havoc last season. He scored 19 goals and added 28 assists last season. Lewis played in 40 games and scored 13 goals and had eight assists.

Defenseman, Steve Howard, and forward, Josh Liebenow, will be joining a new league starting up in Korea. Howard played in 48 games last season and scored eight goals and had 18 assists. Liebenow played in 37 games and scored 15 goals and had 11 assists.

Forwards, Doug Merrell and Brad McDonald, have joined professional leagues in Europe for the upcoming season. Merrell scored 43 points last season, 17 goals and 26 assists. McDonald scored 31 points, five goals and 26 assists.

"I am very proud to see our players climbing the minor league ladder," Gibson said. "That is the purpose of the SPHL, and I think the fans of the Havoc can join me in taking pride in our hockey program here in Huntsville. Your main goal is always to win a championship but there is also gratification to watch a player you have worked with further their career and be successful at the next level. I know from a fans stand point that they get attached to players and would like to see them return year in and year out but we should also be proud of our players accomplishments."

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