Manatees Add Three Defensemen in Trades
January 15, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Miami Manatees News Release
Miami â Miami Manatees Head Coach Zac Boyer today announced the acquisition of defensemen Bobby Clouston and Steve Howard from the Macon Trax for future considerations. In addition, defenseman Jim Quilty was acquired from Lakeland as a "future consideration" from a trade in the off-season.
Clouston, 29, has appeared in 20 games with the Trax this season, scoring two goals, eight assists, and 29 penalty minutes. He also led the Trax with a +/- rating of 12. Clouston is in the middle of his eighth year of professional hockey.
"Clouston is a very experienced player that is going to add some good depth to our defense. He is a solid player who put up good numbers, and he will add some character and leadership to our room." Boyer said.
Howard, 26, has scored five goals and six assists in 23 games this season, and has earned 16 minutes in penalties. His 11 points placed him second in scoring among Trax defensemen. Last season with the Trax, Howard played in 55 games, scoring six goals and 22 points, with 25 penalty minutes. Howard hails from Flint, Michigan and is currently in the middle of his third season of professional hockey.
"I played against Howard last season and he is a very solid player. This is a good opportunity for him to get a lot of minutes and add to our depth on the blue line." Boyer said.
Quilty, 26, comes to the Manatees as the future consideration for Miami dealing Stephane Desjardins to Lakeland in the off-season. Quilty scored three goals and four assists in 18 games, with 52 penalty minutes.
"Quilty is a character guy who plays with a lot of heart and grit, and those qualities are what we need on this team. His acquisition will give us a lot of options, and guys will start feeling the pressure to stay in the line-up." Boyer said.
The Miami Manatees face off against the Alabama Slammers, Jacksonville Barracudas, Lakeland Loggerheads, Macon Trax, and Orlando Seals in the WHA2's inaugural season. All games are broadcast on www.irn.fm.
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SPHL Stories from January 15, 2004
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- Manatees Add Three Defensemen in Trades - Miami Manatees
- Trax pull off First Trade of the Season - Macon Trax
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