Pair of Ryans Sign for the Blueline
June 24, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
Bakersfield, Calif. â The Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL have announced the signing of veteran defenseman Ryan Gillis and defenseman Ryan Coole for the 2004-05 season. The two players become the fourth and fifth players introduced by the Condors.
Gillis, a 6'1", 210-pound defenseman, played last season in the United Hockey League with Missouri, putting up 29 points while playing in every game with the last place River Otters. He was the team captain in each of the last two seasons. Gillis has played eight years in the pro ranks, in the American, International and East Coast Hockey Leagues, last season in the UHL and one year in England. He has played 190 of his 547 career games one step from the NHL. The Calgary Flames drafted Gillis in the 7th round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.
Despite having played in over 500 games in eight seasons, Gillis will be just 28 on Opening Night. He made his pro debut in 1996-97 with Dayton in the ECHL and also played 24 games in the AHL and IHL, finishing the season with the Michigan K-Wings. The Salisbury, New Brunswick native played junior hockey with North Bay from 1992-96.
Coole, 25, is an American-born defenseman who split last season between two teams in the UHL. He started the season with the Columbus Stars, who folded in mid-season, and finished with the Fort Wayne Komets. He put up the best numbers of his three-year professional career, scoring 6g-13a-19pts and racking up 162 penalty minutes. Coole ranked fourth in the UHL with a +31.
His previous two seasons were spent playing in the ECHL. He amassed over 200 penalty minutes in his rookie season, and has averaged 178 per season in his pro career. Coole played four years with the University of Minnesota â Duluth.
Condors Assistant Coach Paul Willett scouted both players on his visit to several UHL cities during the playoffs.
"Coole is one of those type of players that you hate to play against; one of those guys that you hate to go in the corners with because you know he will abuse you," said Willett. "That type of player is a great asset to have on your team. Gillis is more of a two-way defenseman who can clear the front of the net and not afraid to use his body. He is a good solid defenseman with some offensive skill."
Stats for both Gillis and Coole are listed below. The Condors now have five players under contract, with Gillis and Coole joining wingers Paul Rosebush and Todd Alexander and defenseman Guy Dupuis. The 2004-05 Bakersfield Condors season opens at home on October 22nd against the expansion Victoria Salmon Kings. Ticket packages are on sale now for as low as $48. Contact the BSE offices at 324-PUCK (7825) for more information.
ECHL Stories from June 24, 2004
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