John Dipace Latest to Ink Jacks' Deal
August 11, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- On the precipice of celebrating their 50th Anniversary Season of pro hockey in Muskegon, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League continue to move forward on a positive front in the organization's overall plans of making the 2009-10 IHL campaign one of the best and most memorable yet in the rich, storied history of hockey here.
On that note, the Lumberjacks General Manager / Governor Tim Taylor has announced on this date yet another major signing as hard-working, high-scoring JOHN DIPACE has assented to contract terms and inked a Muskegon pact for the franchise Golden Anniversary Season. Adhering to club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
DIPACE, 27, will be proceeding into his seventh pro season overall, his second with the Lumberjacks, though it will actually represent the inception of his first full season clad in the Muskegon code of colors. Being the principal acquisition in a major, blockbuster five-player trade consummated with the Flint Generals on February 18, 2009, the veteran, versatile forward enjoyed his best-ever campaign in his outstanding pro career in 2008-09. Finishing a lofty sixth in IHL league-wide scoring, the 5-11, 190lb sparkplug engineered a prolific 82-points in 74-games on 37-goals, 45-assists while accumulating 240-PIM and excellent +12 rating. His goal-scoring cannoneering, assists and total points all represented career-highs. He ranked fifth in the IHL in goals, fifth in the loop in SOG with 258 and third in the league in PIM.
The Detroit suburbs native of Clinton Township, MI was especially extraordinary upon his arrival on the Muskegon hockey scene. In 26-games, he registered 31-points on 13-goals, 18-assists with 81-PIM while his +14 rating ranked as third best for the home town team. In fact, the DiPace debut with the âJacks was utterly dynamic. In his first game following the deal, he promptly proceeded to score the game's FG in the first period of his first game, climaxing his first Lumberjacks' week by earning his first of two IHL Player of the Week honors with his new team on the strength of 4-goals, 7-points in 3-games with 16-SOG and strong +4 rating.
âJacks GM Taylor is fond of "Johnny D." and speaks in glowing terms of his latest ace in the Muskegon place. "We are thrilled to have John back with us and to have him at the start of this Golden Anniversary Season. Since his acquisition from Flint, he has emerged as a true team player who possesses that rare combination of skill and will to win. He has the ability to play all three forward positions very effectively as reflected in his producing of personal career-bests in all major offensive departments last season. He comes to play and play hard every night and he is as hard-working and hard-nosed as they come. His attitude, energy and spirit are exactly the qualities that we want to have in shaping our team this upcoming season. We are ecstatic to have him back with us for the new season."
The DiPace dossier is a testament and tribute of the complete pro player. In 2008-09, he authored two 5-games' point streaks with each consisting of 9-points on 4-goals, 5-assists and two brilliant single game +4 performances personi-fied. Moreover, he stoked 6-PPG, 3-SHG, which topped the âJacks, 3-WG and 7-FG. In last season's Turner Cup Playoffs, the fierce and fearless forward helped spur his club to a coveted berth in the IHL Finals with 2-goals, 5-assists, 7-points in 9-games.
Recognized and regarded as one of the premiere offensive talents in the league, DiPace was obtained from his long-time team Flint, along with defenseman Ryan Jorde in exchange for Frank Littlejohn, Maxime Lincourt and Alex LaMontagne.
Following a majestic junior career with the junior âA' Detroit Lightning of the CEHL, DiPace signed as a free agent with the Flint Generals in time for the 2003-04 season. He starred for the Generals for nearly four full seasons with stops along the way in the ECHL with the Richmond Renegades in 2005-06 and the CHL with the Rocky Mountain Rage in 2006-07. Although leaving Flint as a crowd favorite, it did not take him long to achieve the same heights in player and fan popularity in Muskegon.
DiPace will commence the new season with some rather impressive pro career numbers. In 429-games, he has amassed 331-points on 143-goals, 188-assists along with 1,178-PIM.
Today's signing of JOHN DIPACE brings to eight the total number of players currently under Muskegon contract for the 50th Anniversary Season. Previously, the Lumberjacks announced the signings of goaltender SEBASTIEN CENTOMO; defensemen MATT GENS, JASON LAWMASTER; centers TRAVIS BANGA, TODD ROBINSON, left wing ROBIN BIG SNAKE; right wing ROBIN BOUCHARD.
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