Pair of Rookies Added to Ice Squad
Published on July 22, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Indianapolis Ice News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-- The Indianapolis Ice announced today that defenseman Brandon Verner and forward Dan Fontas will be at Indianapolis Ice training camp starting on Monday, October 7th.
Verner, 21, returns to the hockey scene after spending a year away from the game to pursue an education. Prior to his year of schooling, the young d-man had three strong years in the Ontario Hockey League with the Peterborough Petes and most recently the Owen Sound Attack. His three-year OHL numbers consisted of 66 points (18G, 48A), (+20) plus/minus and 140 penalty minutes in 163 games of work.
"After taking a year off to pursue school, Brandon has decided to give the pro game a chance," said Ice Head Coach Ken McRae. "He put up quality numbers in a top-notch junior league like the OHL and I expect him to come in and compete for a spot on our blue line."
The 6-1, 212-pound defenseman was second among defensemen on his team in scoring in his last two junior seasons and was a teammate of Detroit Red Wings forward Jason Williams during his two years in Peterborough. Before arriving in the OHL, he played Tier II hockey in Ontario and was the 1997-98 Player of the Year while a member of the Streetsville Derbys.
Fontas, 23, arrives in Indianapolis after four years of Division I hockey with the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Hockey East). Last year with the club, the rookie forward tallied 12 points (2G, 10A) and 16 penalty minutes in 38 games of work.
"Dan comes highly recommended from his coaches at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and played four years against hockey powerhouses like Boston College, Boston University and Clarkson University," said McRae. I am looking for him to come in and add speed and overall depth to our line-up."
A native of Newton, Massachusetts, his four-year numbers at Lowell amounted to 56 points (16G, 40A) and 102 penalty minutes in 134 career games. He led the team with three game-winning goals his junior year, including two in a three-game sweep of Boston University- the first in UML's history.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 22, 2002
- Pair of Rookies Added to Ice Squad - Indianapolis Ice
- Rookie Justin Williams signs with Brahmas - Fort Worth Brahmas
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