'Jacks Ink Rookies Dale and Biduke
October 1, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- As training camp looms a mere few days henceforth to commence the gala 50th Anniversary Season of pro hockey in Muskegon, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League continue their pursuit of on-ice excellence in applying some finishing touches to the roster which will hit the ice for the first day of the early rites of the long season.
On this date, Lumberjacks General Manager / Governor Tim Taylor, in collaboration with Head Coach Rich Kromm, has announced the contract signings of two more rookie forwards which will increase the club's roster to 22-players set, signed, sealed and delivered for the genesis of the Golden Anniversary campaign. The latest newcomers to enter and sign-in for the 'Jacks are left wings JESSE BIDUKE and BRYCE DALE. Adhering to team policy, terms of the contract deals were not disclosed.
BIDUKE, 21, will be embarking on his initial pro season, touching down in his first-ever pro hockey hamlet in donning the Lumberjacks ensemble. The 6-1, 210lb left-hand shooting forward brings with him a resume replete with five standout seasons of prominent performances in the major junior 'A' ranks in both the OHL, and more recently, the QMJHL.
Last season, in the 2008-09 campaign, toiling with overage status, the native of Whitby, Ontario, divided his action between the Lindsay Muskies of the OPJHL and the Moncton Wildcats of the aforementioned QMJHL. In a combined number of 15-games, he engineered 25-points on 9-goals, 16-assists with all 9-goals and 22 of those scoring points essayed in a 12-games stint with the Lindsay club.
Biduke's dossier includes three more seasons in the OHL with such prestigious programs as the Oshawa Generals and Ottawa 67's as well as the Kingston Frontenacs. In 2007-08, in 42-games with Moncton, he authored 27-points in 42-games on 17-goals, 10-assists with 32-PIM. In 2006-07 with both Ottawa and Kingston, he was 53(12-17-29) totaling 21-PIM. His junior career numbers read: 226-games; 67-goals, 73-assists, 140-points with 142-PIM.
Coach Kromm stated his case concerning the signing of Biduke. "Jesse is a big, strong forward who brings some excellent credentials to the Lumberjacks. He has been an outstanding performer in the major junior 'A' hockey ranks and has played and learned under some of the best coaches in some of the best programs in both the OHL and QMJHL."
The name BRYCE DALE may have a familiar ring to Lumberjacks hockey fans of recent vintage. The 25-year-old, 5-10, 195lb speedy forward actually made his pro premiere through a brief stint in the 2008-09 season for Muskegon. Originally signed right off the campus of ECAC Division III West school Utica College in March of this current calendar year, the Fresno, California product debuted to the tune of 6-games for the black and Vegas gold, recording 6(0-1-1) with 0-PIM. He earned his first ever pro point in his first-ever pro game on 3/15/09 at Port Huron.
Before concluding his collegiate eligibility, Dale served as captain of his Pioneers team in his senior year of '08-09, registering 15-points in 24-games on 5-goals, 10-assists with 42-PIM and 2-PPG. His most prolific scoring season for the Central New York college came in his sophomore season of 2006-07 when he collected 19-points in 24-games on 7-goals, 12-assists, 30-PIM, crowning the campaign by being named to the ECAC Men's West All-Academic Team.
His four-year college career numbers are accordingly; 96-games; 22-goals, 35-assists, 57-points, 134-PIM.
Prior to his Utica College experience, Dale saw action in the BCHL junior 'A' circuit with the Williams Lake TimberWolves where in two years, he was 102(14-43-57) with 72-PIM.
GM Taylor commented on the return of Dale to the Lumberjacks lineup for the upcoming season. "We are looking forward to having Bryce back with us. In his short stay with us last season, he demonstrated will and skill and the overall ability to work hard to earn a position on our roster. He is a good skater with excellent speed and we are hoping as an organization that his time and experience with us last season will serve as a real benefit for the 'Jacks in our 50th Anniversary Season."
Today's signings of left wings JESSE BIDUKE and BRYCE DALE increase the total to 22-players signed on the bottom line for the franchise Golden Anniversary Season. Previously, the Lumberjacks announced the signings of goaltenders SEBASTIEN CENTOMO and MATT LUNDIN; defensemen DAN BOESER, JUSTIN DACOSTA, MATT GENS, JASON LAWMASTER, RUMUN NDUR, MIKE NOVAK, TODD SPENCER, LUBOS VELEBNY; centers TRAVIS BANGA, BILLY COLLINS, TODD ROBINSON; left wings ROBIN BIG SNAKE, JOHN DIPACE, MATT ROBERTSON; right wings BRIAN BICEK, ROBIN BOUCHARD, MARK CODY, KEVIN DEMERS.
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