Lumberjacks Assigned Goalie From Griffins
Published on January 16, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- In a day replete with a flurry of activity in their hockey operations department, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League have strengthened their key goaltending position while entering into a trade agreement with league rival, the Bloomington Prairie Thunder.
On this date, the Lumberjacks have announced the assignment of goaltender JOHN CECI from the American Hockey League Grand Rapids Griffins, effective immediately.
CECI, (SEE-SEE), 25, reports to the Muskegon club after signing a two-way pact with the AHL Griffins before his re-assignment to the IHL and the Lumberjacks organization. The acquisition of the King City, Ontario native represented the culmination of a strong collaborative effort from both the Lumberjacks and the Griffins respective organizations. With the NHL Detroit Red Wings / Grand Rapids Griffins system listing only four goaltenders in the entire organization, the Ceci signing augments the much-needed depth at this important position for the entire organization.
The Muskegon hierarchy of team General Manager / Governor Tim Taylor and Head Coach Bruce Ramsay worked in tandem with Grand Rapids General Manager Bob McNamara to solidify this transaction which will truly benefit the whole organization. "We are very excited that we were able to work with the Griffins to secure a quality goaltender the caliber of John Ceci," proclaimed Coach Ramsay. "His assignment to us by the Griffins provides us with an outstanding 1-2 punch in goal for the rest of this season. For the remainder of this season, we are faced with a very busy schedule and a lot of games. Tim Taylor and I thought it was very important to have two very capable, solid goaltenders. With both Clayton Pool and John Ceci, we feel we have accomplished our objectives in this area. John is coming off an excellent season last season in Laredo where he had an outstanding playoffs."
The Lumberjacks newest netminder recorded a stellar 2.64 GAA in 16-games with the CHL Laredo team last season, sporting a .902 SPCT and 14(7-7-0) record. In the playoffs, the 5-11, 170lb human puck detour truly excelled, posting a 6(4-2-0) record in 6-appearances with his 2.66 GAA ranked #3 in the CHL and his .918 SPCT rated as 4th best in the circuit.
Ceci also saw service last season in the ECHL with the Fresno Falcons and the Las Vegas Wranglers. To add to his considerable credentials, prior to the inception of his professional career, he enjoyed two solid seasons in the CIS with Acadia U., preceded by a 4-year career in the OHL major junior 'A' league where he plied his craft for 100-career games. Ceci will be in the 'Jacks uniform for the first time Friday night when his team hosts Bloomington in a 7:00 pm clash at Walker Arena.
In an unrelated transaction, the 'Jacks have dealt rookie center Bill Bagron to Bloomington for future considerations. Bagron, 25, played in 23-games, collecting 10-points on 2-goals, 8-assists with 8-PIM and +5 rating. Bagron becomes the third Muskegon player sent to the Prairie Thunder this season. Previously, defenseman Geoff Patton and right wing Henry Kuster were dispatched in separate deals to the Illinois-based club, also for future considerations in the form of a player to be named later.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 16, 2009
- Icehawks Edged by Generals, 2-1 - Port Huron Icehawks
- PrairieThunder Loses to Muskegon 7-4 - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Kalamazoo Drops Third Straight on the Road with 2-0 Loss to Fort Wayne - Kalamazoo Wings
- PrarieThunder News - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Lumberjacks Assigned Goalie From Griffins - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- PrairieThunder to take on Muskegon - Bloomington PrairieThunder
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