Jeff Petruic Signs
July 24, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder announced today that they have signed high-scoring left wing Jeff Petruic, for the 2002-03 season.
Petruic (pronounced pa-TREW-ick), 28, is coming off a phenomenal season with the United Hockey League's Asheville Smoke, where he led the UHL with 57 goals and 114 points. He also led the UHL with 10 game-winning goals and finished third with 18 power play goals, while notching a plus/minus rating of +15 and an impressive shooting percentage of 19.7%.
"Jeff will instantly become one of the CHL's premier players", said Thunder head coach Jim Latos. "He is big, fast, smart and above all a proven goal scorer."
Petruic began his junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 1989 with the Moose Jaw Warriors, and by his final season in 1995, was the Regina Pats leading scorer with 46 goals and 79 points. He turned pro immediately thereafter, notching an assist in three games with the IHL's Peoria Rivermen.
In 1998, he led the WCHL's Reno Rage with 63 points and the following season led the WPHL's Alexandria Warthogs with 45 goals and 89 points. He returned to the WCHL in 1999-2000 and recorded a whopping 57 goals with the Idaho Steelheads.
This past season, his 57 goals and 114 points were both more than any other player in North America's six professional hockey leagues. A native of Avonlea, Sakatchewan, Petruic has amassed 280 goals and 510 points in 441 games over his eight-year pro career.
Petruic is the eighth player to sign with the Thunder for the upcoming season, joining forwards Travis Clayton, Jeff Leiter and Adam MacKellar, as well as defensemen Pat Stachniak, Bob Rapoza, Paul Johnson and Vladimir Hartinger.
Season ticket packages for 2002-03 are on sale now, starting at just $120. For more information, contact the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 24, 2002
- All-Star Returns to Buzzards Line-up - El Paso Buzzards
- Defenseman David Bourque will return to Brahmas - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Jeff Petruic Signs - Wichita Thunder
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