IceDiggers make series of moves

Published on October 25, 2005 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Alpena IceDiggers News Release


The Alpena IceDiggers are announcing a series of moves including a trade that sends veteran defensemen Adam Snead to the Cleveland Barons for forward Anthony McIntyre and defensemen John Kivisto.

McIntyre (Waterford, MI) is a 5'11" 195 lb forward who is in his 2nd North American Hockey League season ,he spent time with the SOO Indians before going back to play midgets half way through the season. Head Coach and General Manager Kenny Miller is looking forward to seeing McIntyre in an IceDigger uniform. "This guy is going to move the puck north and south, he will fill the role we are looking for and that is scoring goals," said Miller. "He can flat out play." Miller is also looking forward to Kivisto's (Brighton MI) arrival adding, "John will step in and become a big part of our defensive core he will help our defensemen in all situations, John also has a good bloodline, his older brother Kurt, who played with him in Cleveland last year, is at Michigan State, as a recruited walk on."

Miller also is looking to improve the IceDigger roster with the signing of 6'0" 175 lb Gilles Hickey. Hickey (Hamilton, ONT) played for Upper Canada College Prep School. If the name rings a bell, Hickey is the son of former NHL player Pat Hickey. Mr. Hickey played 644 games in the NHL spending time with the New York Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs and the St. Louis Blues. "We are very pleased to add Gilles, to our lineup," Said Miller. "He is a good skater who we feel has the potential to be solid forward in the NAHL, he should also be able to score goals for us during the season."

Also being added to the IceDigger roster, is a member of the arch-rival Traverse City North Stars. Alpena acquired forward Austin Rugal (Macomb MI) in exchange for a 5th round draft pick. "The trade will give Austin an opportunity to get more playing time, he will have to come in here and earn his ice time" said Miller. "The move not only helps us right now but also into the future. Austin scored over 85 points last season at the Midget level with Belle Tire AAA."

McIntyre, Kivisto, Hickey and Rugal are expected to report this week and could be in an Alpena uniform as early as Friday night when the "˜Diggers host the National Team Development Program's Under 17 Team this Friday and Saturday, October 28-29 at 7:00 p.m. in NAHL North Division play. The U-17's consist of the best 89 birth year players in the country.

Both games will be broadcast on WATZ 1450AM and on Teamline, John Pines will call all the action. The two teams will face each other again on Saturday night at Northern Lights Arena. Tickets are still available for both contests and can be purchased during normal business hours by calling the IceDigger Ticket Hotline at (989) 356-9812 or by stopping by the IceDiggers office inside Northern Lights Arena.

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North American Hockey League Stories from October 25, 2005


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