Makway Signed to Bolster IceMen Defense
June 29, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN.Activity continues to abound around the summer off-season camp of the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League in preparation for the upcoming 2011-12 CHL pro hockey campaign. Having moved into new downtown offices earlier this week in anticipation of the opening of the new Downtown Evansville Arena, the IceMen organization has attained yet another giant positive step forward in building their team roster with today's most recent player signing.
On this date, IceMen General Manager / Head Coach Rich Kromm has announced the signing of stellar defenseman STEVE MAKWAY to a one-year contract effective with the upcoming 2011-12 CHL season. Adhering to club policy, terms of the contract deal were not disclosed.
MAKWAY, 28, will be commencing his eighth pro season overall and his fifth in the Central Hockey league. The strong, muscular 6-5, 230lb left-hand shooting rugged rearguard will make his IceMen premiere armed with vast experience and a multitude of accolades stemming from an outstanding major junior `A' career and further advanced and enhanced from his longevity and overall staying power achieved through his pro prowess.
The Western Canadian from Trail, B.C. is marking his return to the North America hockey wars following a one-year stint last campaign overseas with the Dundee Stars of the EIHL European Theater. In 2010-11 in Dundee, he was his team's second top scoring defenseman, collecting a prolific 37-points in 50-games on 6-goals, 31-assists. Providing that rare combination best described as mammoth measures of might, mettle and muscle, Makway's 178-PIM were second most on his Dundee team. He is considered an excellent two-way defenseman who will augment the IceMen immeasurably in many important team-oriented depart-ments.
Makway last saw service in the CHL in 2009-10 when he divided the season between the Mississippi RiverKings and Wichita Thunder. In 43-games that season, he registered 34-points on 7-goals, 27-assists, adding 125-PIM.
GM/Coach Kromm intoned the importance of the Makway acquisition. "We are very, very pleased to be signing Steve Makway. He is coming off a strong season over in Europe last season in making his return to the CHL. Steve has developed an outstanding history in the CHL, having made his mark professionally at this level. He will bring to us the talents of a two-way defenseman who plays a physical, mean game as well as making significant contributions offensively."
Evansville's newest defenseman enjoyed his best pro season back in 2007-08 in Mississippi where he, again, was his team's second top scoring defenseman, authoring 43-points in 64-games on 11-goals, 32-assists with 147-PIM and team best +20 rating. His 11-goals were foremost among his club's blue line brigade.
After an outstanding major junior `A' career in the highly-prestigious WHL and SJHL, Makway launched his pro career in the CHL with the Laredo Bucks in the 2004-05 season; 56(3-9-12) 165-PIM. His best junior campaign came in 2003-04 with the Battlefords North Stars of the SJHL where he was 36(11-33-44) with 208-PIM.
Makway's pro career numbers are: 398-games; 44-goals; 155-assists; 199-points; 1,080-PIM.
Today's signing of defenseman STEVE MAKWAY brings to six the total number of players currently under contract for Evansville for the upcoming season of which four are deemed top-drawer defensemen. This is the second defenseman that GM/Coach Kromm has inked this week. Thus far, the IceMen have signed defensemen MATT GENS; JORDAN LITTLE, JAKE OBERMEYER; left wing MARK CODY; center TODD ROBINSON.
Central Hockey League Stories from June 29, 2011
- Rush to Assist Diaper Drive at Black Hills Community Bank Tomorrow from 10am-2pm - Rapid City Rush
- Makway Signed to Bolster IceMen Defense - Evansville IceMen
- Third Time Is a Charm - Laredo Bucks
- Pair of NHL Veterans Join CHL Officiating Department - CHL
- John Hess Returns to Rapid City as Senior Director of Marketing and Entertainment - Rapid City Rush
- IceMen Offices Move to Downtown Evansville - Evansville IceMen
- Komets Re-Sign Goaltender Nick Boucher - Fort Wayne Komets
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