Icehawks Invite Five Free Agent Camp Players To Main Camp

September 22, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - Stan Drulia, Head Coach and General Manager of the Port Huron Icehawks, announced that five players who participated in last weekend's free agent camp have been invited to attend the Icehawks main training camp. The camp opens on Monday, October 5 at McMorran Arena at 9 a.m.

Forwards Scott O'Connor, Peter Pritchett and Matt Caranci, defenseman Andrew Scampoli and goalie Jason Uller have all been invited to put their skills on display for a second time.

Local resident O'Connor (5-10, 190 lbs) is a 2005 Marysville High School graduate and a product of the Port Huron Minor Hockey system.

"I feel really privileged to be here. It is what I have been working for my whole life," O'Connor said. "It is a little intimidating, but I know I can play at a high level. I just have to keep working hard. It is an honor to have the chance."

The 22-year old center previously played for the Petrolia Jets, a Junior B team in Canada, and also played on a practice squad at Northern Michigan University.

"Scott played well every day of the camp," Drulia said. "The puck seems to find Scott no matter where he is."

Caranci (6-0, 195 lbs) attended the Flint Generals training camp last season. He also played in two preseason games versus Port Huron and fought Icehawks prospect Paul Yavonic. The 23-year old native of Toronto, Ontario played four seasons in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League.

"Matt injured his ankle during the free agent camp and we want to see more of him," Drulia commented. "He is a hard worker who we think is on the verge of playing at our level."

Pritchett (6-3, 225 lbs) has also signed a training camp agreement with the Detroit Hitmen, the Icehawks AAHL affiliate, after attending a free agent camp with the team. The 20-year old most recently played with the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs in the Eastern Junior Hockey League.

"He has a nice shot, a big body and a hard nose for the net," Drulia said of the forward.

Scampoli (5-10, 200 lbs) has played with numerous teams in the last several seasons. The native of Islip, New York played 24 games with the Utrecht Dragons in the Netherlands last season, before returning to the U.S. and splitting time with two teams in the Eastern Professional Hockey League.

"He moves his feet well and has good up-ice vision with the puck," Drulia said of the 24-year old defenseman.

Uller (6-0, 175 lbs) is a native of Ottawa, Ontario.

"Jason was solid in every scrimmage and seemed to get better as the camp went on," Drulia said. "He will be one of four goalies at our main camp."

The 2009-10 Icehawks will make their first appearance as a team on Saturday, October 3. Icehawks players will take on the Welkin Baseball Club in a vintage baseball game at 6 p.m. at Pine Grove Park. Admission is free.

The team will take to the ice for the first time on Monday, October 5 and skate all week long. Training camp will wrap up with three preseason games; two with the Flint Generals and one with the Toledo Walleye of the East Coast Hockey League.

Port Huron will host the 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 Walleye on Sunday, October 11. Sunday's game will be played at the Team Toledo Ice House at 4 p.m.

The Icehawks open the 2009-10 regular season on Saturday, October 17 at home versus the Turner Cup Champion 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 22, 2009


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