Lumberjacks Sign Billy Collins; Add Demers
August 20, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- As the days grow nearer in anticipation of their 50th Anniversary of professional hockey in Muskegon, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League continue to move forward on a positive front in building their team for the franchise milestone season.
With that in mind, Lumberjacks General Manager / Governor Tim Taylor has announced on this date yet another major player signing as well as the addition of a new rookie player with the latter becoming the first direct player procurement spawned from the Lumberjacks new affiliation with the Battle Creek Revolution of the AAHL. Under the major player signing category, the Jacks have come to terms with veteran center BILLY COLLINS on a new one-year contract deal while reaching agreement on a pact that brings rookie right wing KEVIN DEMERS into the Muskegon training camp. Adhering to club policy, terms of both contract deals were not disclosed.
COLLINS, 27, will be embarking on his seventh season under the Muskegon banner, though, he will be actually commencing his sixth full season with the Lakeshore-based sextet. The 6-2 200lb pivot returns to the Jacks following a 2008-09 campaign that saw him compose his second best offensive outputs in his outstanding professional career. In 72-games for the home team, he compiled a total of 54-points on 26-goals, 28-assists with 101-PIM and superb +9 rating. Finishing sixth in overall team scoring and fifth in goal productivity, the native of Enderby, B.C. also generated 6-PPG, 6-PPA, 5-FG, 3-UG, 2-GWG, 1-SHG and 1/1 shooting proficiency in the OTSO with his sole goal on his sole attempt representing the ultimate GWG for Muskegon.
Historically and traditionally, Collins has emerged as a key, kinetic catalyst in the post-season with the 2009 IHL Turner Cup Playoffs providing even more center stage theater for the right-hand shooting former Detroit Wayne State U. star. Last spring, in his club's climb to the Championship Finals, Collins collected 8-points in 11-games as he finished 8th in league-wide scoring with 4-goals, 4-assists with 21-PIM and +1 rating. Adding another page to his prominent playoff resume, he delivered the electrifying GWG in the suspense and drama of OT in the Lumberjacks 4-3 OT triumph in Game #4 of the Finals, which represented his team's lone victory in the 5-game series against league kingpin Fort Wayne.
Muskegon GM Taylor is looking for a strong and stellar season from his veteran centerman. "Billy has been a staple of our franchise for many years now and we are very glad to have him back with us for our 50th Anniversary Season. Billy has always been a good community-oriented ambassador for our organization. He has been working quite hard during this off-season and he expects to be in top game condition once training camp arrives. His championship experience is vital to our success, and with that said, we are looking for a big season from him."
Having played his entire pro career for the same team here in Muskegon, Collins best season came in 2007-08 when he was named the Team MVP as he captured a share of the Muskegon club scoring crown while finishing tied for 11th in IHL league-wide scoring. That season, he set career-highs with 71-points on a team-best 36-goals, 35-assists, also earning the Team Most Improved Player Award for the second time following his first such honor in 2005-06. In 2008-09 he was presented the Lumberjacks Community Service Award.
Always a pre-eminent playoff performer, the Lumberjacks #8 is a member of the last two Muskegon title timber teams in 2003-04 and 2004-05. In the latter post-season, he fired 7-goals, recorded 11-points in 16-playoff games, scoring the most points by a league rookie. The following post-season of 2006, he tied for the team leadership in playoff goals, again with 7.
Originally obtained by Muskegon in the 4th round of the March 2004 North American Amateur Draft following an illustrious collegiate career at Wayne State U., Collins enjoyed some magical moments before coming to Muskegon. In fact in the 2002-03 season with the Warriors, Collins led the NCAA in SHG with 5, registering a real hockey rarity of a 3-goals SHG "hat trick" in the same game. Prior to his college career, while starring for the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL, Collins totaled 84-points in 60-games including a league-high 50-goals as he earned the Team MVP Award and First Team League All-Star berth.
For his Muskegon pro career, Collins continues his climb among the franchise all-time career leaders. He will commence the new campaign ranked 7th in games with 344; 9th in goals (108); 6th in PIM (590). In the playoffs, his 24-career goals rank tied for 3rd all-time with his 56-games listed 8th and 39-total points placing him 9th.
As for DEMERS (dih-MAIRS), 24, this will be his second pro season. However, under IHL league statutes, he is still regarded as a first year pro. The strapping 6-2, 205lb right wing becomes the first member of the Muskegon training camp roster through its recently completed affiliation agreement with the AAHL Battle Creek Revolution.
A native of Montreal, PQ, Demers saw action in 28-games in 2008-09 with the Battle Creek squad, collecting 23-points on 12-goals, 11-assists with 111-PIM and +5 rating. His 111-PIM were second most on the club. He proceeded to essay 4-points in 7-playoff outings on 1-goal, 3-assists and 25-PIM with the latter number topping the team.
GM Taylor amplified on his latest signee being the first from the Lumberjacks new affiliation. "Our contract signing of Kevin represents the first result of our new working agreement with the Battle Creek Revolution. Kevin has been identified as one of the players with the most upside from the Revolution's roster who has a great opportunity to play pro at the AA level. He is a big, strong kid who comes from a solid hockey playing family. We are looking forward to seeing what he can do."
The Lumberjacks Demers is the older brother of defenseman Jason Demers who was the 7th round choice of the NHL San Jose Sharks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and a top-drawer rookie with the Worcester Sharks of the AHL in 2008-09.
The signings of center BILLY COLLINS and right wing KEVIN DEMERS brings to 10 the total number of players presently under Muskegon contract for the Golden Anniversary Season. Previously, the Lumberjacks announced the signings of goaltender SEBASTIEN CENTOMO; defensemen MATT GENS, JASON LAWMASTER; centers TRAVIS BANGA, TODD ROBINSON; left wings ROBIN BIG SNAKE, JOHN DIPACE; right wing ROBIN BOUCHARD.
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- Lumberjacks Sign Billy Collins; Add Demers - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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