Lumberjacks Deal Kuster To Bloomington
January 7, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- Embarking on the new calendar year of 2009, the fourth place Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League have committed to team roster modifications expressly to enhance their title timber contending status in the extremely close league banner chase.
With those marching orders on their agenda, the Lumberjacks have announced on this date that they have traded veteran right wing Henry Kuster to the Bloomington Prairie Thunder in exchange for future considerations.
Kuster, 31, is in his 11th pro season and was in his initial campaign with the Muskegon club at the time of this transaction. In 28-games thus far this season, the 6-1, 230lb right wing has collected 29-points on 12-goals, 17-assists with 36-PIM, -1 rating and 4-PPG.
Signed by the Lumberjacks as a free agent in the summer of 2008, Kuster came to Muskegon having spent the preponderance of his pro career in the Central Hockey League (CHL) with a number of clubs, including Amarillo, San Antonio and most recently, the Austin Ice Bats. In all, he played for 9-years in the CHL while also seeing significant time and service in the ECHL.
A former standout in the major junior 'A' WHL, Kuster is a former 1996 second round choice, 45th overall, of the Boston Bruins in the NHL Entry Draft.
Miller, 28, is currently in his 8th pro season, having actually made his Muskegon debut last weekend when he was signed by the Lumberjacks on a PTO agreement for a two-game series at Bloomington. Signed as a free agent, the 6-0, 205lb rock-ribbed, ruffian rearguard commenced his third campaign with the Prairie Thunder this season before being waived.
The American-bred from Vancouver, Washington will mark his third tour of duty with present 'Jacks bench pilot Bruce Ramsay as his head coach. Previously, he served in the Ramsay administration with the ACHL St. Pete / Winston-Salem Parrots in the 2002-03 season and then a second time in 2003-04 with the UHL Port Huron Beacons.
In 23-games with Bloomington this season, Miller was 23(0-1-1) with 90-PIM. His 90-PIM rank as 5th most in the IHL while his 8-majors list him #4 league-wide in that department.
Last season, as Bloomington's all-time career PIM leader, he accumulated 240-PIM which ranked as 4th most in the IHL; his 22-majors for the same season placed as circuit 5th most.
In another separate move, the 'Jacks have procured the services of goaltender Jordan Alford to act as their emergency goaltender for the upcoming weekend. Alford, 25, began the current season as a member of the Flint Generals goaltending tandem. The 6-2, 180lb backstop made his pro premiere following an outstanding 4-year collegiate career at R.P.I. of the ECAC Division I Conference.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 7, 2009
- Itinerary Set for Stanley Cup Visit to Port Huron - Port Huron Icehawks
- Final Step Reached as Record Book and Trophy Now Complete - IHL 2
- Lumberjacks Deal Kuster To Bloomington - Muskegon Lumberjacks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
