AHL Rockford IceHogs

Murray, Wensley Re-Sign in Rockford

Published on August 28, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Rockford, Ill.-The Rockford IceHogs, proud members of the United Hockey League, have agreed to contract terms with defenseman Darwin Murray and forward Clint Wensley (WENS-lee) for the 2002-03 season. Per club policy, terms of the pacts were not disclosed.

Including Murray and Wensley, the IceHogs have 13 players signed for what is expected to be a Blockbuster Hockey season. Also starring on the ice for the IceHogs in 2002-03 will be centers Jeff Antonovich, Steve Cygan and Matt Loen, wingers Steve Dumonski and Oak Hewer, defensemen Alex Alexeev, Jeff DaCosta, Kenzie Homer, Jeremy Rebek and Joe Statkus, and goaltender Brant Nicklin.

Murray, 25, is the fifth player and third defenseman to re-sign with the IceHogs. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound blueliner collected one goal, 11 assists and 12 points in 44 games with the IceHogs last season. The Toronto, Ontario native originally signed with the IceHogs on December 15 of last year after appearing in 14 games for the Reading Royals of the East Coast Hockey League.

"Darwin is a solid defenseman who will only get better with more playing time," said Scott Bell, the IceHogs head coach and director of hockey operations. "He proved last year that he can play against the other team's top unit. Look for more offensive production from him this year. He's a great team guy, he loves Rockford and he can't wait to get back on the ice."

Murray established a new Rockford rookie record for defensemen by ending his first professional season with a plus-2 plus/minus rating. It was a season of firsts for Murray, who collected his first professional point, an assist, vs. the Fort Wayne Komets on December 16, and his first professional goal, vs. the Knoxville Speed, on March 16. Murray's 2001-02 season also included two assist games vs. the Quad City Mallards on March 1 and the Muskegon Fury on February 6, and plus-3 efforts vs. the Knoxville Speed on March 22 and the Port Huron Border Cats on February 8.

Murray played collegiately for the Niagara University Purple Eagles during both the 2000-01 and 1999-00 seasons. In 71 collegiate games, he totaled three goals, 11 assists, 14 points and 22 penalty minutes.

Wensley, 29, is the sixth player and third forward to re-sign with the IceHogs. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound sniper produced 10 goals, 14 assists and 24 points in 33 games after missing the first half of last season with an injury. The product of Aldergrove, British Columbia debuted with the IceHogs on January 18 and scored his first goal vs. the Quad City Mallards the following night.

"Clint is a big, skilled centerman who takes care of the defensive zone," said Bell, who expects to sign one more player from last year's team before training camp begins in September. "Because of his injury, Clint was unable to show his true potential. The fact that he was able to come back at all last year reflects on his work ethic and his conditioning."

Wensley was at his best last March when he notched six goals, 10 assists and 16 points in 14 games, and his offensive production helped the IceHogs establish a new team record for wins in a month with nine. Wensley's amazing month included a team-high seven-game scoring streak and a three-game goal-scoring streak. The left-handed lamplighter registered four goals, eight assists and 12 points during the scoring binge, which included a four-point game vs. the Asheville Smoke (4a). Wensley also reached a milestone when he collected his 150th career point, an assist, vs. the Missouri River Otters on March 30.

Prior to his service in Rockford, Wensley collected 55 goals, 71 assists and 126 points in 113 games with the Lake Charles Ice Pirates of the now-defunct Western Professional Hockey League.

Season ticket packages for the 2002-03 IceHogs are now available, starting at just $98. Contact the IceHogs office at (815) 986-6465 for more details. Season ticket information can also be found at www.icehogs.com. Blockbuster Hockey featuring the 2002-03 IceHogs premieres at the Rockford MetroCentre against the Fort Wayne Komets on Fri., Oct. 11.

Rockford IceHogs...It's Blockbuster Hockey!

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American Hockey League Stories from August 28, 2002


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