'Jacks Gens Signs-In for '09-10 Season
July 22, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- Fresh from last week's signing of a top-flight goaltender, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League have remained in a defensive frame of mind with their latest player signing for the upcoming 2009-10 IHL season.
On this date, the Lumberjacks General Manager / Governor Tim Taylor has announced that Muskegon has come to terms with ace defenseman MATT GENS on a new one-year contract effective for the 2009-10 season; the 50th Anniversary Season of pro hockey in Muskegon at Walker Arena. Adhering to club policy, terms of the contract deal were not disclosed.
GENS, 26, is set to embark on his fifth pro season overall and his second clad in the colors of Muskegon's home town team. The 6-0, 188lb defenseman returns to the Lumberjacks backline following an extraordinary initial season of goal patrol and point-producing proficiency. In the 2008-09 season, the Baudette, Minnesota product finished a lofty circuit second in scoring among the blue line class, amassing 53-points in 73-games on 9-goals, 44-assists along with 83-PIM and +3 rating. His adept and adroit playmaking ability from his right defense position was nonpareil as he ranked runner-up in the league in both total assists with 44 and PP/Assists with 19. In recording 178-SOG for the season, he earned a third place listing in the league in that category. Included in his Muskegon numbers for the season were 3-PPG, 2-GWG, 1-FG and 1-OT/GWG.
Moreover, during the regular phase of the season, Gens fashioned some masterful individual performances in sparking the âJacks to a sound and solid third place finish in the league standings. The right-shooting rearguard engineered two 5-game point streaks with each one consisting of 5(1-5-6) as well as the team's best individual positive, premium, plus performance of the year in the form of a brilliant +5 rating in an October 31st 5-2 victory verdict on the road at Bloom-ington. He also came back with one +4 effort on February 21st at home where his team tamed archrival Flint, 9-3. Gens crowned his first Muskegon campaign by being honored with the team's annual Best Check Deliverer Award for his thunderous bone bruising body belts.
In the 2009 IHL Turner Cup Playoffs, he helped spur the Lumberjacks to a coveted berth in the Championship Finals by collecting 3-points in 11-games on 1-goal, 2-assists with 8-PIM and +2 rating.
GM Taylor knows the dynamic dimension that Gens provides the âJacks overall and, in particularly, on the blue line. "The return of Matt Gens to the Lumberjacks represents another major step in both improving and solidifying the key, defensive aspects of our team for our 50th Anniversary Season. Matt is coming off career highs in every offensive department as he is vital to both our power play and penalty-killing special teams. He brings us strong leadership skills, defensive responsibility and the experience of the competitive fire which is so necessary in winning a championship."
Originally the ninth round choice, 278th overall of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Gens was a major catalyst in the Rockford IceHogs UHL Colonial Cup Championship in the 2006-07 season when he registered 39-points in 75-games on 8-goals, 31-assists while adding 13-more points as the league's top-scoring defenseman in the post-season on 17(2-11-13).
Prior to his arrival on the Muskegon hockey scene, he saw service in the ECHL in 2007-08 with the Elmira Jackals where in 35-games, he essayed 22-points on 3-goals, 19-assists with 32-PIM and excellent +15 rating.
A four-year standout at St. Cloud State of the WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association), Gens played 147-games at the school, authoring 64-points on 16-goals, 48-assists.
In the 2008-09 season in Muskegon, he achieved overall pro career milestones of 200-pro games, over 100-assists and over 100-points.
For his entire pro career, Gens numbers read; 259-games; 25-goals; 112-assists; 137-points; 272-PIM.
Today's signing of defenseman MATT GENS, brings to 4 the number of players that are now under contract for the Lumberjacks 50th Anniversary Season of 2009-10. Previously, Muskegon announced the player signings of goaltender SEBASTIEN CENTOMO; center TODD ROBINSON; right wing ROBIN BOUCHARD.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from July 22, 2009
- 'Jacks Gens Signs-In for '09-10 Season - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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