Miami Manatees Stock Up
May 29, 2003 - World Hockey Association-2 (WHA2)
Miami Manatees News Release
MIAMI, Fla. - Miami Manatees Head Coach Zac Boyer today announced that six players from the WHA2 Free Agent camp have been invited to Miami's training camp in October. Forwards Jason Comardo, Alejandro Ortiz, Nick Smyth, Trevor Socholotuk, winger Matt Stack, and defenseman Gary Williford will all compete for a roster spot.
"Each one of these guys showed something at camp that I thought could be beneficial to our team." Boyer said.
Comardo was the third-leading scorer for Buffalo State in 2001 - 2002. The five-foot-nine, 180-pound forward scored eight goals and had 19 assists for 27 points in 27 games.
Ortiz did not start skating and playing hockey until he was 17 years old. At the University of Florida, the 22-year-old forward led his team in scoring with 31 points on 22 goals and nine assists in 15 games. If he makes the team, the five-foot-ten, 180-pound forward will ask to defer a year from Law School.
"When I got interested in hockey, there wasn't much ice in Miami to begin with." Ortiz said. "My goal at training camp was to get noticed and signed, hopefully by my hometown team Miami.
Smyth was the leading scorer for SUNY Brockport in 2002 - 2003. The six-foot-two, 185-pound forward scored 12 goals and had 14 assists for 26 points in 25 games.
"I'm very excited to play with Zac (Boyer) and I'm looking forward to the season." Smyth said.
Socholotuk played for the Notre Dame Hounds in the Saskatchewan Junior League. The six-foot, 195-pound forward earned the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Player of the Week in November 2002 for a five goal; four assist output when playing for the Winnipeg Saints.
"I had a few good games at camp and was generally happy with how it went." Socholotuk said. "(Zac Boyer) actually talked to me in the morning (about signing with the team), so a lot of pressure was taken off me for the last camp session.
Stack had 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 26 games for New England College in 2002-2003. The winger is five-foot-ten and 180-pounds.
"I came here with intent on signing with someone and signing with Miami is great." Stack said.
Williford played 13 games for the Amherst Ramblers in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League in 2002 - 2003. The six-foot-five, 240-pound defenseman had no goals and six assists.
The Miami Manatees begin their season in late October at the Miami Arena. They will face the WHA2's Jacksonville Barracudas, Orlando Seals, Lakeland Loggerheads and a yet to be named Central Alabama team.
World Hockey Association-2 Stories from May 29, 2003
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