Pair of Mercyhurst Products Sign With Lubbock

September 20, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Lubbock Cotton Kings News Release


LUBBOCK, TX: September 20, 2005 - The defending Southwest Division Champion Lubbock Cotton Kings of the Central Hockey League signed a pair of new faces with the additions of defensemen Nolan Brown and Mike Kirby to the 2005/2006 roster.

"We are pleased to add Brown and Kirby to bolster our defensive corps," said Head Coach / Director of Hockey Operations Chris Dashney. "The two were not in the same graduating class at Mercyhurst College, but they did play several seasons together, which is an advantage. Both add toughness and grit, as well as familiarity with winning championships. Kirby has been on college conference championship teams and Brown has been a part of two United Hockey League championship squads."

Brown is a two-year pro, who has spent his entire pro career in the United Hockey League (UHL) with the Muskegon Fury. The Climax, Saskatchewan native joined the Fury at the tail end of the 03/04 season, once completing his college tenure at Erie, Pennsylvania based Mercyhurst College, and was part of their Colonial Cup Championship squad. He continued with the Fury last season and helped lead them to another Colonial Cup title. Last season, the 6'1" 210-pound defenseman ranked fourth among UHL defensemen in major penalties with 12 and completed the season with 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points. He also compiled 166 penalty minutes and a 13 plus/minus rating in 72 games. His complete pro totals include 3 goals and 9 assists for 12 points in 77 games and 170 penalty minutes. Brown, 25, played junior hockey at Notre Dame (Wilcox, Saskatchewan) in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) before enrolling into Mercyhurst, where he played from 00/01 - 03/04 and was on the NCAA Div. I Lakers squad that combined for an 88-49-9 record (75-20-7 in conference play) and two NCAA playoff appearances. He served as the Team Captain as a senior and left the program with 4 goals and 24 assists for 28 points in 135 games.

Kirby turns pro after closing out his college career at Mercyhurst last season with an assist in 26 games. The 25 year-old native of Nanaimo, British Columbia completed his time at Mercyhurst with 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 94 games. Prior to Mercyhurst, the 5'11" 215-pound rearguard was a member of the British Columbia Hockey League's (BCHL) Quesnel Millionaires, where he ranked fifth on the squad in points with 51 off 18 goals and 33 assists in 59 games during the 00/01 season.

The two additions place the ‘Kings with 16 players under contract for the 05/06 season joining forwards Josh Anderson, Bobby Brown, Nick Economakos, Paul Fioroni, Nolan Graham, Jan Melichercik, Kyle Nosan, Emery Olauson, Vic Pereira, defensemen Jason Beatty, Matt McDonald, Matt McNeely, Darren Shakotko and goaltender Lance Leslie. Brown and Kirby will qualify as "developmental" status players under CHL guidelines (less than 128 pro games played). Under CHL rules, each team must carry at least five "developmental" players, and Bown and Kirby give the ‘Kings 11 "developmental" players on their roster, joining Anderson, Beatty, Economakos, Graham, McDonald, McNeely, Nosan, Olauson and Pereira. Coach Dashney is available for interview in regards to the signings by contacting the ‘Kings offices. To arrange an interview with the two new players or to obtain additional player information, please contact Chris Due at 806-549-4228.

The Cotton Kings open their season on October 21st and 22nd in the Rio Grande Valley, and will open their home schedule on October 29th, as they welcome the Amarillo Gorillas. Season ticket and corporate advertising opportunities are available for the 05/06 season by contacting the Cotton Kings office at (806) 747-7825. Additional ‘Kings info can be found online via their official site at www.cottonkings.com.



Central Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2005


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