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Icehawks Announce Training Camp Roster

September 29, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks of the International Hockey League will open training camp next Monday with a 33-man roster. The lineup includes 18 forwards, 11 defensemen and four goalies.

Training Camp opens at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 5 at McMorran Arena and will conclude with three exhibition games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday through Friday the camp schedule will include practice sessions from 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and scrimmages from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. On Saturday, the team will skate from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. All practices and scrimmages are open to the public.

"This summer we wanted to get faster, bigger and more physical. I think we have done that," Head Coach and General Manager Stan Drulia said. "I am excited about this training camp. No one's jobs are secure; 33 players will vie for 19 spots. I think we have some first year players that are going to push some experienced players for their job with this hockey team."

"Camp will be very interesting as we get into the exhibition games," he continued. "I am going to give these young players time to impress us. The summer is over. It is time to play hockey."

Port Huron will host the Flint Generals on Friday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m. for their sole exhibition contest at McMorran Arena. Tickets are just $5. The Icehawks wrap up preseason action with a game at Flint on Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. and a showdown with the ECHL Toledo Walleye on Sunday, October 11. Sunday's game will be played at the Team Toledo Ice House at 4 p.m.

Among those taking to the ice next Monday are ten previously unannounced players. They include returners Jamie Lovell (D), Jason Selleke (RW) and Kevin O'Connor (D) and newcomers Cory Stillman (C), Mike Kinnie (F), Dave McNab (F), Mike Bray (RW), Myles Palliser (F), Mike Gershon (D) and Darcy Rees (D).

Jamie Lovell (6-0, 190 lbs) returns for his fifth professional season and third with the Icehawks. Last season, the offensive-minded defenseman put up career bests in goals (13) and points (35) before suffering a season-ending injury after 66 games. During the 2007-08 season, the 26-year old native of Elora, Ontario tallied 31 points in the regular season and nine points (3g, 6a) in 12 playoff games.

Jason Selleke (6-1, 190 lbs) will lace up his skates for his tenth professional season and second in Port Huron. Last season, the gritty right wing tallied 19 points (6g, 13a) and 113 penalty minutes in 41 games, despite battling injuries. The veteran forward came to Port Huron after stints in the Central Hockey League, overseas and in the United Hockey League, including three seasons with the Flint Generals from 2004-2007.

Kevin O'Connor (5-11, 190 lbs) joined the Icehawks near the tail end of last season and played in eight regular season games and one playoff game. Before coming to Port Huron, the 25-year old native of Trenton, Michigan played three seasons at Western Michigan University and four seasons of junior hockey, with stints in the North American Hockey League and the United States Hockey League.

Cory Stillman (6-2, 210 lbs) joins the Icehawks for his sixth professional season and first season in the IHL. A fourth round draft pick of the New York Islanders in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, he turned professional in the 2004-05 season with the ECHL Pensacola Ice Pilots.

The 26-year old native of Lindsay, Ontario has averaged nearly a point a game during his professional career, with 222 points (95g, 127a) in 234 games. His best season came with the CHL Arizona Sundogs in 2006-07, as he set career bests in goals (32), assists (43) and points (75). He also played with the Sundogs last season and tallied 19 points (4g, 15a) in 18 games. He played with Icehawks center Nick Lindberg while with the Ice Pilots.

Mike Kinnie (6-1, 200 lbs) returns to the International Hockey League after taking one season off. He played four seasons with the Flint Generals from 2004-2008, where he skated with Icehawks center Jason Selleke and averaged 56 points per season. In the 2007-08 season, he netted 51 points (22g, 29a) and 95 penalty minutes in 50 games before being sidelined by an injury. A native of Shelby Township, MI, he played collegiate hockey at Ferris State University.

Dave McNab (6-0, 190 lbs) comes to the Icehawks after four seasons of collegiate hockey; one at State University of New York-Plattsburgh (2005-06) and three at SUNY-Brockport (2006-09). He recorded the best numbers of his career last season with 21 points (11g, 10a) in 27 games. The 25-year old native of Hamilton, Ontario also played three seasons in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He will be reunited at training camp with former Brockport teammate Mike Gershon.

Mike Bray (6-3, 215 lbs) played the last two seasons in the Ligue Nord-Americaine de Hockey in Quebec.

A hard-nosed forward, he tallied 167 penalty minutes, including 21 fights, in just 25 games last season. An eighth round draft pick of the New York Islanders in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, he played three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and one in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League before retiring from hockey for several years. The 26-year old native of Halifax, Nova Scotia played five games with the Flint Generals in the 2002-03 season.

Myles Palliser (6-1, 200 lbs) played collegiate hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Superior from 2004-2007. The 27-year old native of Lake Cowichan, British Columbia transferred to Wisconsin after being named SUNYAC Rookie of the Year at the State University of New York-Potsdam in the 2003-04 season.

Mike Gershon (5-10, 195 lbs) played four years at Brockport College in the State University of New York Athletic Conference. Last season, he was named to the All-SUNYAC 2nd team with 17 points (8g, 9a) in 27 games. A native of Sparta, New Jersey, he will celebrate his 25th birthday next week.

Darcy Rees (6-5, 210 lbs) is a rookie with three years of junior hockey experience, including two seasons with the Smiths Falls Bears in the Central Junior Hockey League. Last season, the 21-year old native of Kingston, Ontario was the highest scoring defenseman for the Bears and was ranked third overall in points by defensemen in the CJHL with 42 points (9g, 33a) in 53 games.

The new additions join 17 previously announced players and six players attending camp on professional tryout agreements. The roster includes returners Kris Vernarsky (C), Nick Lindberg (C), Tab Lardner (LW), Kerry Bowman (F), Ian Turner (D), Daniel Tetrault (D), Rob Cowan (D) and Larry Sterling (G), and newcomers Adam Russo (G), Steve Natywary (LW), Kai Magnussen (LW), Jason Kostadine (RW), Billy Burke (C), Mikael Bedard (F), Adam Maccarone (D), Kevin Hansen (D) and George Halkidis (D).

Attending camp on tryout agreements are Scott O'Connor (F), Peter Pritchett (F), Matt Caranci (F), Andrew Scampoli (D), Jason Uller (G) and A.J. Bucchino (G).

The Icehawks open the 2009-10 regular season on Saturday, October 17 at home versus the Fort Wayne Komets. Single game tickets are on sale now at the McMorran Arena Box Office, any Ticket Master location or by phone at 810-966-3800. For more information and the complete 2009-10 schedule, visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from September 29, 2009


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