Lumberjacks Complete Major Trade With Flint
February 18, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- In their first major trade of the 2008-09 International Hockey League season, the Muskegon Lumberjacks have announced on this date a major, blockbuster five player deal with their league rivals, the Flint Generals.
Today, the Lumberjacks have announced that they have acquired high-scoring CENTER / RIGHT WING JOHN DIPACE and veteran DEFENSEMAN RYAN JORDE from the Flint Generals in exchange for veteran right wing FRANK LITTLEJOHN, first-year CENTER MAXIME LINCOURT and rookie DEFENSEMAN ALEX LAMONTAGNE. The trade is effective immediately with all players expected to report to their new addresses this week.
This consummated deal represents the first one in the IHL thus far this season of such major impact, import and magnitude.
The Lumberjacks General Manager / Governor Tim Taylor spoke of the importance of this deal and what it brings to the Muskegon club and the community. "We have a major responsibility and it's one that we take very seriously concerning this team for this community. Our responsibility is to provide the best on-ice product we possibly can and a top-flight team that our community deserves. The purpose of this trade is to take another major step forward in bringing a championship caliber team to this community. This deal signals that we going to do everything in our power and will continue to do such until we feel that we have the best team for the best hockey fans in our great game and business." The Lumberjacks GM concluded, "In short, we have made a business decision to make us better."
As far as the Lumberjacks two newest acquisitions are concerned, DIPACE, 26, is currently in his sixth pro season and his fourth through two separate stints with Flint. The 5-11, 190lb center / right wing is recognized and regarded as one of the premiere offensive talents in the IHL. Thus far this season, he ranks 8th in league-wide scoring production averaging over a point a game. In 48-games, the right-hand shooting forward has collected 51-points on 24-goals, 27-assists with his 24-goals ranked 6th most in the league. Known for his feisty, combative on-ice style and persona, DiPace has gained a solid reputation as a fierce competitor who will play with a serrated edge. Testimony to that notion are his 159-PIM accumulated at this juncture of the season, ranking him fourth in the league in that category. Included in his scoring output currently are 3-PPG, 6-PPA, 1-SHG, 2-GWG, 1-ENG and a team high 5-FG.
A native of the Detroit suburbs and Clinton Township, MI, DiPace arrived on the professional scene back in the 2003-04 season when he starred in his rookie season on his first go-around with the Generals. Having come off a majestic junior 'A' season in 2002-03 with the Detroit Lightning of the CEHL where he amassed 77-points in 50-games with 35-goals and 309-PIM, he registered 47-points in 70-games for Flint on 16-goals, 31-assists, adding 84-PIM. In his first-ever playoffs post-season, he averaged over a point a game in the Generals code of arms with 3(2-2-4). After his second season with Flint, DiPace moved on to UHL Richmond in 2005-06 when he achieved his best season in the pro ranks. That season, in 74-games, he engineered 67-points on 31-goals, 36-assists while amassing 224-PIM. After spending the 2006-07 campaign in the CHL with the Rocky Mountain Rage, the newest Muskegon on-ice employee returned to the Flint club last season when he registered 55-more points in 70-games on 24-goals, 31-assists along with 238-PIM. He culminated the 2007-08 season on another high note in the playoffs, emerging prominently as Flint's top scoring machine with 5(4-2-6) and 12-PIM.
Through the initial 5-years of his illustrious pro career, DiPace has accrued 259-points in 355-games on 106-goals, 143-assists while accumulating 938-PIM. Projecting his scoring numbers at this stage of the present season, the 'Jacks newest member of their high-scoring machine is expected to attain his best season ever in goal scoring and point productivity.
JORDE, also 26, (jor-DEE) is in his seventh pro season and his third in Flint. Obtained by the Generals from the Fort Wayne Komets during the 2006-07 season, the right-hand shooting rearguard is expected to bring much steady play, stability and leadership to a Lumberjacks defensive corps that requires some significant upgrading especially in the GA department. Originally the 9th round choice of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Muskegon's newest defender has seen service in 45-games for Flint this season. The Western Canada native from Kelowna B.C. has recorded 18-points this season on 2-goals, 16-assists, with 40-PIM, 4-PPA, 2-SHA and one OT/GWG for the Generals. He has been Flint's second top scoring defenseman this year. Last season, in the 2007-08 season with Flint, Jorde had 10-points in 59-games on 1-goal, 9-assists with 86-PIM.
A pro veteran of the highest order, the 6-3, 215lb Jorde actually launched his pro career with his drafting team Buffalo's principal AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans in the 2002-03 season. He spent three seasons under the Sabres auspices there before spending parts of two seasons with the Fort Wayne Komets (2005-06 & 2006-07). In 2005-06 he also saw some action with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.
Entering this current season, the dedicated defensive-minded defenseman Jorde had played some 309-career games in the pro ranks, having recorded 37-points on 5-goals, 32-assists with 493-PIM.
As for the three players Muskegon is sending to Flint, the entire trio were in their initial campaigns in the Lumberjacks stable. The 32-year-old Littlejohn is in his 11th pro season, having registered 33-points in 47-games on 19-goals, 14-assists with 6-PPG, 2-SHG and 2-GWG.
Lincourt, 21, is in his second pro season, However, under IHL statutes, is still considered of first-year status. In 46-games this season, he has 15-goals, 17-assists, 32-points with 2-GWG and 1-SHG.
Lamontagne, 20, was signed by the Lumberjacks as a free agent on November 20, 2008 after commencing the current campaign in major junior 'A' with the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL, a finalist in the May 2008 Memorial Cup Tournament. In 39-games with the 'Jacks, he had authored 7-points on 2-goals, 5-assists along with 112-PIM.
The Lumberjacks newest acquisitions, John DiPace and Ryan Jorde are expected to make their respective debuts for Muskegon's next league action this Friday night, February 20th when the team travels to Kalamazoo to be hosted by the Wings in the opening game of three games in three nights coming up this weekend.
DiPace and Jorde are expected to see their first home action in the Jacks jerseys this Saturday night, February 21st when Muskegon hosts Flint in a 2-game home-and-home series between the two trading teams with all the new players. It's "Beach Night" Saturday night. The same two teams will lock horns in an encore Sunday, February 22nd in Flint for a 4:00 pm encore presentation.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 18, 2009
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- Lumberjacks Complete Major Trade With Flint - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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