One old, one new for Grrrowl roster
August 18, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Grrrowl News Release
GREENVILLE, SC â The Greenville Grrrowl of the ECHL, proud affiliates of the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers, have announced that KEVIN BERGIN and CARL MALLETTE have signed ECHL Standard Player Contracts for the upcoming 2004-05 season. Both played for Roanoke (ECHL) during the 2003-04 season, and became unrestricted free agents when the Express lost their league membership in July.
KEVIN BERGIN (6-2, 200lbs., defense/forward) returns to the Grrrowl after having played the first 31 games of the 2001-02 season in Greenville before being traded to the Reading Royals for Simon Tremblay. Bergin began his career as a defenseman, but has shown great versatility by adjusting to the forward position, scoring a career-high 33 points (13G, 20A) in 70 games with Roanoke last season. Kevin also continued his role as a tough competitor by totaling 138 penalty minutes. Last season, Bergin played his best hockey against the Grrrowl by posting 7 points (3G, 4A). The Montreal native has played for six ECHL teams in three professional seasons.
Bergin on his return to Greenville: "I am very excited to have the chance to return to the best city in the ECHL. I loved my time in Greenville, and the fans were great to me during my rookie season. I am also pumped to play with Carl Mallette again. We have a great chemistry on the ice, and have become good friends through our time together in Roanoke."
John Marks on Bergin: "Kevin has improved a great deal from the first time in Greenville. He has developed into a strong player at this level, and has worked hard on his game as a professional. Sometimes you look back at the players that got away, and Kevin is one that has really proved himself to be a valuable commodity. He has the ability to defend, and has found a niche on the offensive side that makes him very versatile. I know that the Grrrowl fans will be very happy to see Kevin back in a Grrrowl sweater."
CARL MALLETTE (6-1, 194lbs., Center) has made an impact on the professional scene during his rookie campaign by amassing 71 points (28G, 43A) in 73 games with Florida and Roanoke in 2003-04. Carl also added 8 points 4 playoff games last season against his former Florida Everblades teammates, before falling (3 games to 1) in the opening round series. Mallette was a 4th round selection (#107 overall) by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2000 NHL draft, 212 spots ahead of former Grrrowl standout Simon Gamache. The Victoriaville, ONT native posts 122 points (39G, 83A) and 191 penalty minutes in his last year of competition at the Quebec Major Junior level in 2001-02, plus an additional 33 points in 22 playoff games that season.
Mallette on his decision to sign in Greenville: "This off-season started with a tough recruiting season. Becoming a free agent brought a lot of great offers from some great teams. I know about the championship history in Greenville, and have heard great things about Coach Marks and the entire organization. I know that Greenville is working hard to rebuild a strong team. I wanted to be in Greenville for another run at a championship, and playing with Kevin is an added bonus."
John Marks on Mallette: "Carl has quickly become a hot prospect as a professional. His rookie season says a great deal about his ability, and his amateur background certainly speaks volumes in the hockey world. Carl brings a very high level of play to our organization, and we are extremely happy that Carl has chosen to continue his career with the Grrrowl. I believe that he has a great opportunity to make a run at the NHL one day."
The Grrrowl will open the 2004-05 schedule with a home game on Friday, October 22, 2004 against the Charlotte Checkers. Season tickets (starting at $238), mini-plans and flex packs are available now by contacting the Grrrowl office. Please call 467-4777 for additional ticket information.
### www.grrrowl.com ###
KEVIN BERGIN Defense; Born Nov 6 1981 -- Montreal, PQ; Height 6.02 -- Weight 200 -- Shoots L --- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ---- Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1998-99 Cape-Breton Screaming Eag QMJHL 18 2 4 6 22 3 0 1 1 0 1999-00 Cape-Breton Screaming Eag QMJHL 35 1 5 6 25 -- -- -- -- -- 2000-01 Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL 56 5 17 22 168 10 0 0 0 0 2001-02 Greenville Grrrowl ECHL 31 3 4 7 53 -- -- -- -- -- 2001-02 Reading Royals ECHL 11 2 0 2 12 -- -- -- -- -- 2002-03 Trenton Titans ECHL 3 1 0 1 11 -- -- -- -- -- 2002-03 Pensacola Ice Pilots ECHL 30 0 2 2 78 -- -- -- -- -- 2002-03 Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL 18 0 6 6 16 4 0 0 0 0 2003-04 Roanoke Express ECHL 70 13 20 33 138 4 1 3 4 0
CARL MALLETTE Center; Born Nov 17 1981 -- Victoriaville, PQ; Height 6.01 -- Weight 194 -- Shoots R Selected by Atlanta Thrashers round 4 #107 overall 2000 NHL Entry Draft --- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ---- Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1997-98 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 55 8 7 15 30 6 1 1 2 4 1998-99 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 62 27 46 73 51 6 1 2 3 2 1999-00 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 69 49 76 125 97 6 6 3 9 28 2000-01 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 61 28 55 83 99 13 10 8 18 42 2001-02 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 71 39 83 122 191 22 12 21 33 73 2002-03 Dalhousie University CIS 28 20 19 39 30 2003-04 Florida Everblades ECHL 50 14 27 41 45 -- -- -- -- -- 2003-04 Roanoke Express ECHL 23 14 16 30 21 4 4 4 8 8
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