Huge Addition, Huge Return
January 21, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Indianapolis Ice News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-- The Indianapolis Ice announced today that the team has acquired forward Jim Shepherd from the Lubbock Cotton Kings in exchange for forwards Russ Guzior and Steve Lecuyer and defenseman Mike Zeibaq. In addition, defenseman Remi Royer (ROHY-AY) has returned to the club.
Shepherd, 26, is in his sixth season of professional hockey and leaves a struggling Lubbock squad third in points (31), goals (12) and penalty minutes (92). The versatile forward has put up "power forward" type numbers throughout his career as his average season in his first five years pro has consisted of 20 goals, 55 points and over 150 penalty minutes.
"I had a chance to coach Jim down in Austin," said Ice Head Coach Ken McRae. "He brings grit, goal-scoring ability and more depth to our forward position."
The native of Kingston, Ontario has spent the majority of his pro career in the ECHL, but has also had stints in the former IHL and WPHL. His five-year numbers before this season included 274 points (102G, 172A) and 766 penalty minutes in 336 games.
Royer, 25 , played in six games for the Ice previously this season and tallied five points (2G, 3A) and 31 penalty minutes. He was a 1996 NHL Draft Choice of the Chicago Blackhawks (first choice, 31st overall) and played 18 games with the "Hawks," collecting 67 penalty minutes. In 304 pro games before this year, the rugged defenseman amassed 89 points (21G, 68A) and 1,089 penalty minutes.
"At the end of the day, I feel we have greatly improved our hockey club," added McRae. "The addition of Shepherd and the return of Royer provides us with more balance and experience up and down the line-up."
Guzior played in 16 games this season with the Ice and posted ten points (2G, 8A) and 18 penalty minutes. Zeibaq recorded five points (4G, 1A) and 58 penalty minutes in 38 games with Indianapolis, while the rookie Lecuyer compiled 73 penalty minutes in 38 games.
Both players are expected to be in the line-up for the Ice in the three games this weekend and be part of "Pack the House Night" this Saturday night. The Ice will attempt to pack Conseco Fieldhouse with over 14,000 fans as the club battles the defending CHL Champion Memphis RiverKings at 7:00 p.m. "Pack the House 2004" will benefit the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation-Indiana and the Jr. Ice Hockey Program. In addition, the players will wear jerseys designed by the children of St. Vincent Children's Hospital.
Tickets for "Pack the House Night" can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations including select Marsh Supermarkets, Karma Records, select L.S. Ayres, and the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Conseco Fieldhouse box offices, or by calling 239-5151 or online at ticketmaster.com
For all the latest Ice information, please visit www.indianapolisice.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2004
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- Bucks Unveil 2005 CHL All-Star Game Logo - Laredo Bucks
- Woollard ready for 2004 Dodge CHL All Star Game - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Coach's Show to Air from Hunter Brown's this Evening - Mississippi RiverKings
- All-Star Notes/Player Moves - San Angelo Saints
- Huge Addition, Huge Return - Indianapolis Ice
- Shepherd Traded to Indianapolis - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Blaznek Traded - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Thunder acquire CHL All-Star - Wichita Thunder
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