Noel-Bernier coming back to Fury
August 31, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- Activity is abounding in the Fury nation in these last days of the summer off-season as the United Hockey League's all-time top winning team, the Muskegon Fury continue their readiness for the rapidly-approaching 2006-07 UHL season. With training camp a mere five weeks henceforth, the Fury now have 12-players on their roster in the franchise bid to return to league championship grandeur.
On this date, the Fury Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman, in concert with newly-appointed Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Bruce Ramsay, has announced yet another major player acquisition to further fortify the Muskegon squadron for the upcoming campaign. Marking his return to Muskegon and set to don the Fury ensemble for 2006-07 is speedy left wing DAVE NOEL-BERNIER. Noel-Bernier has agreed to terms on a one-year contract and will be on the ice, Monday, October 2nd when Muskegon launches its 15th consecutive season of competition in the UHL with its initial day of training camp at Walker Arena. Adhering to club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
NOEL-BERNIER, 30, will be embarking on his sixth pro season as he begins his second tour of duty in Muskegon clad in the coat of arms of the men of the Fury. The sturdy physical specimen forward is marking his return to the Fury following a two-year absence in which he returned overseas to perform and star in Germany from whence he came originally. Despite those two more star-studded, standout seasons with Riessersee SC and Munich EHC, the snappy, snazzy 5-10, 195lb forward is still remembered with great adulation and adoration for his lone previous campaign with Muskegon's home town team.
Originally inked to his first Fury pact as a UHL-classified rookie in the summer of 2003, the product of Montmagny, PQ enjoyed a promising and prolific season in '03-04. In the process, he became an integral and instrumental catalyst on a Muskegon record-breaking, history-making squad which captured custody of Colonial Cup III through an unprec-edented, unparalleled, undefeated 11(11-0) sweep of three playoff series in hoisting high to the sky Colonial Cup III. Noel-Bernier prospered in his first time around with the "Furious Ones" as he engineered in high-voltage, high-octane fashion 53-points in 72-games on 21-goals, 32-assists, along with 50-PIM and a solid +9 rating. He emerged prom-inently and dominantly as one of the UHL's premiere rookies, finishing a lofty second in the league in rookie scoring prowess while ranking fourth in the loop in both total goals and assists. His 2-SHG were runner-up most league-wide.
The highly-skilled Noel-Bernier climaxed his only season with the Fury by being named to the UHL All-Star Game as well as being honored as the Fury Team Rookie of the Year.
Upon his departure from Muskegon and return to Germany, Noel-Bernier sustained his stately scoring stature. Last season, in 2005-06, dividing his season between Riessersee SC and Munich EHC, he averaged over a point a game. In 42-games, he essayed 44-points on 17-goals, 27-assists with 30-PIM. In the previous campaign of 2004-05, again with Riessersee SC, he was bedazzling and dynamic, firing 35-goals in 39-games, totaling 55-points and 98-PIM.
Having fond memories of Noel-Bernier and the Fury's Colonial Cup III impeccable masterpiece, Coach Ramsay is thrilled with the second coming of his talented left wing. "Needless to say, we are really excited to have Dave back with us. His speed, skill and talents will elevate our team very positively. He is an outstanding offensive threat and with his breakaway speed he possesses that rare ability as a true game-breaker. In addition, he has shown to be adept on the specialty teams and will be counted on to provide spark on our power play and solid all-around play in the penalty-killing role. We are glad that he has decided to come back to us."
Noel-Bernier really blossomed into a dangerous, game-breaking offensive sparkplug through his first tour of duty in Germany. In the 2002-03 season performing for Kempton EA, he amassed an astronomical 83-points in 48-games on 39-goals, 44-assists for a points per game average of a prolific 1.73. In that same season, he laid claim to the scoring championship and was acclaimed his team's Most Valuable Player. He led his team in goals scored, assists, points, PPG, GWG and SHG as well as shots on goal.
Prior to his initial stint of globetrotting, Noel-Bernier achieved a standout collegiate career with the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the highly-prestigious CCHA conference. In 2000-01, he authored 16-points in 40-games on 5-goals, 11-assists with 32-PIM for the Mavericks. In the 1999-00 campaign, he registered 13-more points in 40-games on 9-goals, 4-assists.
The Fury's latest signed acquisition also left his enduring, indelible mark and impression in the junior 'A' ranks as a premiere marksman for the Yorkton Terriers of the SJHL where he was 65(27-28-65) for a point a game average.
Today's signing of left wing DAVE NOEL-BERNIER brings to 12 the number of players that the Fury have signed to contracts for the 2006-07 season. Previously, Muskegon announced the signings of goaltender CLAYTON POOL; defensemen JOSH CHASE, TOM GALVIN, PHILIPPE PLANTE, JOE POMARANSKI, DAVE VAN DRUNEN; centers BILLY COLLINS, TODD ROBINSON; left wing RYAN BARNES; right wings ROBIN BOUCHARD, RUSTYN DOLYNY.
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from August 31, 2006
- Close out the summer on the waterfront with the IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
- Noel-Bernier coming back to Fury - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Komets add six skaters to roster - Fort Wayne Komets
- Charpentier Added to Mallards Blueline - Quad City Mallards
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