IceGators sign Mizerek, six others
October 2, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LA â The Louisiana IceGators have signed defenseman Josh Mizerek (MIZ-air-ek), head coach and vice president of hockey operations Dave Farrish announced Thursday. The IceGators also signed goaltender Dwight LaBrosse, forward/defenseman Adam Collins, defensemen Anthony Bilotto and Jan Vrtik (YAN, VIR-tik), and forwards Guillaume Berube (ghee-OHM, bu-ROO-be) and Louis Peppe to tryout agreements.
The IceGators will go through physicals at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at 315 S. College St., with the first on-ice practice Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Louisiana HockeyPlex in Carencro.
Mizerek is entering his fourth full pro season, and the IceGators will be his sixth team. The 6-foot, 190-pound blueliner spent last season with ECHL Lexington, posting totals of 10 points (2g, 8a) and 38 penalty minutes in 67 games. The 25-year-old is no stranger to Louisiana, having played most of two seasons with Baton Rouge and part of a season in New Orleans. Mizerek, a native of Duluth, Minn., has 57 points (10g, 47a) and 125 penalty minutes in 196 career games. The Miami (OH) University product's best season by far was his rookie campaign of 2000-01, when he notched a combined 30 points (11g, 19a) in 71 games with Florida and Baton Rouge.
"Josh is a steady defenseman who will help anchor our blueline," said Farrish. "He's proven in the past that he can be a scorer, and he's also excellent defensively. Our fans know by his time in both Baton Rouge and New Orleans what kind of player he is."
LaBrosse, who will turn 20 on October 6, is a rookie who spent the last two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League. Last season with Kingston, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound native of McMurray, Pa., went 1-6-0 with a 4.27 goals against average. In 2001-02 with Guelph, LaBrosse was an impressive 15-11-2 with a 3.22 goals against average. Prior to his time in the OHL, LaBrosse played for the U.S. Junior National Team. LaBrosse was a ninth-round selection (No. 265 overall) of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
Collins is a versatile performer who has spent the last three seasons in the minor leagues in England. In 88 games with Chelmsford and Romford, Collins (6-foot, 200 pounds) posted 75 points (28g, 47a) and 34 penalty minutes. The 23-year-old had a career-best 37 points (11g, 26a) in 36 games with Romford in 2002-03.
Bilotto is the brother of ECHL'er Nick Bilotto. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman spent last season playing in Maritime Junior A, Tier 2 with Antigonish.
Vrtik hails from the Slovak Republic and has played in that country's top league for each of the past two seasons. In three overall professional seasons in the Slovak Republic, the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder has totals of 66 points (11g, 55a) in 156 games. The 25-year-old was a member of the Slovakian National Junior team from ages 16 to 20. Vrtik comes highly recommended from former IceGator Martin Bartek.
Berube has played the last three seasons with Quebec of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The 5-foot-11, 167-pound Berube totaled 91 points (29g, 62a) and 101 penalty minutes in 207 games with the Ramparts. The 20-year-old hails from Trois-Pistoles, Quebec.
Peppe hails from the Boston area and was at one time considered a top collegiate prospect in New England.
Louisiana opens the season at Mississippi on Friday, Oct. 17, at 7:35 p.m., before the Sea Wolves make a return trip for the IceGators' home opener Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets, starting at just $10 for adults and $9 for kids (ages 2-12 in any level) are now on sale at the Cajundome Box Office and Ticketmaster outlets.
Opening Night will feature a Chris Valicevic jersey retirement ceremony.
Full season ticket packages, half season plans and Ice Packs are also on sale now and can be purchased by calling (337) 234-4423. Full season packages start at just $288, while children ages 4-12 can have season tickets for only $225 in any level, including rink side, with an adult purchase.
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