Left Wing Chad Michalchuk signs with Brahmas
Published on September 5, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
Fort Worth- The Ft. Worth Brahmas added another veteran forward to their lineup on Thursday morning with the signing of left wing Chad Michalchuk to a contract.
Michalchuk will return to professional hockey in North America after playing last season in Hanover, Germany with the Hanover Indians of the German Oberliga (OBL). Michalchuk was one of the top scorers in the OBL as he netted 41 goals and assisted on 53 others in 41 games played.
The 5'10", 190 pound Michalchuk is a familiar face to Brahmas head coach Todd Lalonde. The 29 year old winger has played for the Brahmas bench boss in three of his six previous professional seasons. In 1998-1999, he was an integral part of Lalonde's Waco Wizards (WPHL) squad that won a division title. That year, Michalchuk scored 32 goals and picked up 29 assists. After beginning the 1999-2000 season in Waco, a midseason trade sent Michalchuk to the Lalonde led Central Texas Stampede (WPHL). Michalchuk helped the Stampede to WPHL regular season records of 50 wins and 103 points by scoring 25 points (5G/20A) in his 25 games played. Michalchuk was back in a Stampede uniform under Lalonde's direction for the first half of the 2000-2001 season, skating in 18 games for Central Texas (1G/10A) before the Stampede franchise ceased operations in early January of 2001.
In addition to his time in Waco and Central Texas, Michalchuk has also laced the skates up for the Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL), Madison Monsters (CoHL), Brantford Smoke (CoHL/UHL), and Amarillo Rattlers (WPHL). In his 287 professional regular season games played, he has totaled 104 goals and 162 assists for 266 points. He has also earned a reputation as an agitator with 854 career penalty minutes.
Brahmas head coach Todd Lalonde is excited to have Michalchuk on his Brahmas roster.
"Chad Michalchuk is going to be a difference maker for us. In addition to his considerable offensive and defensive talents, he's a very unnerving player to play against. He's constantly in the middle of things, distracting the opposition in a Pat Verbeek type of way. He'll earn us a ton of power plays based on his annoying style of play," said Lalonde.
The Brahmas bench boss went on to say that he also expects a dose of veteran leadership from the experienced Michalchuk.
"Guys in the room tend to rally around Chad. He's been a leader on both teams that I've had him on, and I'm looking for him to come in and do the same here. He knows how to win, and he'll do whatever it takes to win. He' ll definitely have to set an example for all of the younger players that we' ll have," said Lalonde.
Michalchuk is looking forward to being reunited with Lalonde and playing for the Brahmas this season.
"To say I'm excited to be coming to Ft. Worth would be an understatement. Todd is a great coach that I've enjoyed tremendous success playing for. Ft. Worth is a great city and the Brahmas are a solid organization. At this stage in my career all I'm concerned about is winning a championship. That' s obviously the number one goal in Ft. Worth and I'm looking forward to coming in and contributing," he said.
The signing of Michalchuk gives the Brahmas sixteen players under contract for the 2002-2003 season. Kyle Reeves (RW), Chad Woollard (LW), Adam Davis (D), Ryan Rivard (LW), Chad Grills (C), Joe Van Volsen (C), Jason Reesor (C), Jim Midgley (C), Justin Williams (F), Brant Somerville (D), David Fry (F), Darren Curry (D), David Bourque (D), Lee Jacobson (D), and Scott Roche (G) have already inked contracts this off season with Ft. Worth. Defenseman Justin Seaborg is also on the Brahmas roster as he has signed a tryout agreement with the club. Curry, Rivard, Midgley, Williams, Jacobson, Somerville, and Seaborg are all rookies on the Brahmas roster. Michalchuk also takes the Brahmas fifth and final CHL veteran spot on the Brahmas roster for players with more than 260 professional regular season games played. Van Volsen, Roche, Grills, and Reeves are the Brahmas other veteran players.
The Brahmas will begin their sixth season, and second in the CHL, on Friday, October 17, with a road game against the Wichita Thunder. Ft. Worth's home opener this season will be on Saturday, November 2, against the Indianapolis Ice. Season ticket and advertising packages remain on sale now. For more information, please contact the Brahmas office at (817) 336-4423.
Central Hockey League Stories from September 5, 2002
- Sharuga re-signs; Hogue expected to add depth - Corpus Christi IceRays
- IceRays Strike Gold With Belecki - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Three Rookies Join Blazers Roster - Oklahoma City Blazers
- Buzzards Make a Strong Goalie Match - El Paso Buzzards
- Left Wing Chad Michalchuk signs with Brahmas - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Bucks Sign David Myson - Laredo Bucks
- 'Kings Add Punch With Fioroni - Lubbock Cotton Kings
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