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Icehawks Sign Three Rookie Fowards

July 20, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks announced that they have added some young talent with the signing of rookie forwards Mikael Bedard, Steve Natywary and Billy Burke for the 2009-10 season. Per team policy, details of the deals were not disclosed.

"We are excited to bring in new talent that will give a jolt of energy to the team," Head Coach and General Manager Stan Drulia said. "All three are talented, young players. We look forward to seeing what they can do when training camp opens in October."

Bedard (5-10, 190 lbs) enjoyed three successful seasons of junior hockey before he turned professional with the St. Georges CRS Express (LNAH) in his native Quebec last season. After skating with the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) during training camp, he joined the CRS Express and netted 17 points (5g, 12a) in 22 games.

During his junior career (2005-2008), the 21-year old averaged 63 points per season. In the 2007-08 season, he played with the Nanaimo Clippers in the British Columbia Hockey League and was named team MVP after leading the Clippers to the championship finals with 71 points (31g, 40a) in the regular season and 21 points (8g, 13a) in 12 playoff games.

For Bedard's career stats: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=89175.

Natywary (6-4, 230 lbs) also played with the St. Georges CRS Express last season, where he amassed 44 penalty minutes in 10 games. The 21-year old native of Mississauga, Ontario turned pro after four seasons of junior hockey. A tough winger, he played with a variety of teams in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and registered a total of 194 penalty minutes in 94 games.

For Natywary's career stats: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=89493.

Burke (6-1, 210 lbs) comes to Port Huron after three seasons with Queens University in Kingston, Ontario where he had a combined 34 points in 61 career games, including 14 points (3g, 11a) in the 2008-09 season. The 23-year old from Newmarket, Ontario began his collegiate career with Queens in the 2004-05 season, before going on to play with the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League during the 2005-06 campaign. He returned to Queens the following season.

For Burke's career stats: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=89175.

The signing of Bedard, Natywary, and Burke brings the Icehawks roster to ten, including five returning players and five newcomers. The line-up also includes Tab Lardner (F), Daniel Tetrault (D), Ian Turner (D), Rob Cowan (D) and Kerry Bowman (F), and newcomers Jason Kostadine (F) and Kevin Hansen (D).

Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now. Get in the action with ticket packages that are more affordable than ever. For more information, call 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from July 20, 2009


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.

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