Mad Hatters Announce Three More Signings
Published on July 23, 2008 under Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL)
Danbury Mad Hatters News Release
(DANBURY, CT) - The Danbury Mad Hatters of the Eastern Professional Hockey League (EPHL) have announced the signings of three more players. Forwards Mykul Haun and Brett Riley, and defenseman Mike Utzig have all signed contracts to join the Mad Hatters this season. As per club policy, the terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Mykul Haun, a native of Oakland, CA, is a 26 year old forward who plays primarily the center position. He played his first professional season in 2007-08 between Jamestown of the MAHL and Richmond of the SPHL before succumbing to injury. In 3 seasons at Plymouth State University, Mykul appeared in 70 games racking up 9 goals, 22 assists, and 141 penalty minutes.
"Mykul had a great camp last season in Richmond and was the last guy released. He went to Jamestown and was having a great season there until he broke his wrist and ended his season," General Manager of Hockey Operations Brendan Tedstone said of Haun. "He's one of those players that plays bigger then he is."
The Mad Hatters also signed Brett Riley. Riley is a 22 year old native of Rochester, NY who can play both wings. In Brett's first professional season, he saw action in 5 games for Richmond of the SPHL, but registered on 2 penalty minutes. His second professional season numbers were much improved. In 30 games for Wooster of the MAHL, Brett had 13 goals and 11 assists while amassing only 32 penalty minutes, a number among the lowest in the MAHL for players appearing in 25 or more games.
"Brett's a wiry little guy that zips all over the ice. He has a knack for the net, and is a guy that gets as many assists as he does goals," Tedstone said. "With his discipline, he'll be a good 2nd liner and great on the penalty kill."
Mike Utzig, a 6' 3", 29 year old defenseman from Buffalo, NY, was the third player signed by the Mad Hatters. Mike has played three seasons in the SPHL with Huntsville, Winston-Salem, and Fayetteville, playing in 54 games, scoring 1 goal and adding 7 assists while racking up 111 penalty minutes. Before turning pro, Mike played 2 seasons for SUNY-Brockport playing in 47 games, scoring 6 goals and adding 16 assists and recording 121 penalty minutes.
"Mike's a smart, steady defensive defenseman. He's surprisingly mobile for a big man. He's got a cannon from the point and is tough as nails," Tedstone said. "He's had offers elsewhere, but he wants to win a championship and sees Danbury as his best shot."
With the addition of these three players, that brings the number Mad Hatters signed to 8: Forwards Hutcheon, Payne, Cook, Haun, and Riley, and defensemen Hickman, Fiddler, and Utzig.
More signings are expected in the next few weeks, and, in addition to player signings, the Mad Hatters have also put their training camp information on the team's website. For more on the tryout camp information and schedule, visit the team's website at www.madhattershockey.com.
The Mad Hatters are scheduled to begin training camp on October 22, and will play 50 games in their first season, with opening night scheduled for November 1.
DANBURY MAD HATTERS HOCKEY: WELCOME TO THE MAD HOUSE! Season tickets are on sale now! Visit www.madhattershockey.com for more information or call 203-885-1128
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