IBL Looking for Great Energy from Edmonton this Season
February 7, 2012 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Edmonton Energy News Release
The Energy will be flowing in Edmonton once again this spring as the International Basketball League team opens its fourth season in the City of Champions.
The Edmonton Energy is coming off its most successful season to date as they advanced to the IBL Championship game in 2011, and is looking forward to stepping onto their new home court at the Saville Community Sports Centre (GO Centre).
The GO Centre, located on the University of Alberta's South Campus, is a state-of-the-art multi-use recreation facility which opened last September with guidance from the Energy's David Dorward as founder and past president of the GO Community Centre Board of Directors. The centerpiece of the 236,000-square-foot complex is a 2,800-seat arena which will serve as the Energy's home court.
"Our fans can expect a professional healthy basketball atmosphere that embraces much of the talent from Edmonton and around the world on and off the court," commented Energy General Manager Rick Stanley in regard to the team's move to the GO Centre. "Stay tuned for details on half time entertainment, the Energy Dance team and our new Proton and Electron mascots."
The roster that will make their debut on the GO Centre hardwood is largely a work in progress, though Stanley has announced the return of one talented Canadian to the team and the addition of another.
Troy Gottselig, a 6'8" center from the University of Saskatchewan and 2011 IBL All-Star, will be back for his third season in an Energy uniform this spring. Gottselig averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game last season and finished with five double-doubles, including one in Edmonton's playoff semi-final victory over Albany that propelled them on to the IBL Championship game last July. Most recently, Gottselig has been playing with a team in the Czech Republic.
"Troy's leadership and character as a player and person are second to none. We are privileged to have such a fine ambassador of the game back in Edmonton," stated Stanley.
New to the team is Danny Boticki, a 6'4" guard from Victoria, B.C., where he played at Saint Michael's University School, the alma mater of NBA great Steve Nash. Boticki played collegiately at Idaho State University and later moved on to a professional career in Germany for several seasons.
"Danny is a phenomenal player at both ends of the court and will bring excitement to our program," Stanley predicted. "He is a true citizen and we are proud to see him become a member of the Edmonton community."
Stanley will be adding additional players to the Energy's roster as well as announcing the team's head coach in the coming weeks.
There is a rich history of basketball in Canada, as the sport was invented by the great Canadian-American, James Naismith in 1891. The IBL has enjoyed great competitors in the North including the B.C. Titans where pro basketball may return.
"There is great talent in Canada and they need an opportunity to showcase their abilities in a highly competitive environment to progress as professional athletes, which the IBL and Energy are providing. With the Energy going into their fourth season, it provides a foundation for us to expand the possibilities, especially in the west. We look forward to our continued dialogue with Canada Basketball and collaboration with the provincial leaders including Basketball Alberta and Basketball British Columbia as well as others to find the right ownership to bring professional basketball to more communities," the Canadian born Commissioner shared.
The Energy will open the 2012 season at the Go Centre in early May. A full schedule for the IBL will be announced in February.
• Discuss this story on the International Basketball League message board...
International Basketball League Stories from February 7, 2012
- IBL Looking for Great Energy from Edmonton this Season - Edmonton Energy
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
