Port Huron Icehawks Re-Sign Two Rookies

Published on September 2, 2008 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Port Huron Icehawks News Release


PORT HURON, MI - The Port Huron Icehawks announced that they have re-signed rookies Rob Cowan and Kerry Bowman to contracts for the 2008-09 season. Per team policy, details of the deals were not disclosed.

Both players joined the Icehawks as amateurs at the tail end of the 2007-08 regular season and skated with the team throughout the playoffs.

Cowan (6-4, 215 lbs) is a gritty defenseman that came to Port Huron after three seasons (2005-2008) at Robert Morris University (Pittsburgh, PA). He posted two assists and a +1 rating in six regular season games and one goal in eight playoff games with the Icehawks.

Cowan finished his collegiate career with 21 points (1g, 20a) and 147 penalty minutes in 123 games. The Calgary, Alberta native, who will celebrate his 25th birthday this week, also played two seasons (2002-04) with the junior league Olds Grizzlys, where he averaged 22 points and 178 penalty minutes per season.

"Cowan is a big kid and solid defenseman," Head Coach and General Manager Stan Drulia said. "He is knowledgeable about the game and sees the entire ice well. If he uses his size to his full potential, we expect him to have a big season."

Bowman (6-0, 180 lbs) is a right winger who signed with the Icehawks after his senior season at Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA). He had two assists in seven regular season games with Port Huron and one goal in nine playoff games. In game one of the Turner Cup Finals with Fort Wayne, he scored his first goal as a professional. The goal was also the game winner.

"Bowman showed a lot of potential through the playoffs last season," Drulia said. "We expect him to continue to improve."

Bowman wrapped up his final season at Mercyhurst with 14 points (5g, 9a) in 36 games. He was also awarded the Bill Smith Award for meritorious service to the game. The 23-year old finished his collegiate career (2004-2008) with 28 points (12g, 16a) in 120 games.

"Playing for the Icehawks is a very good fit for me personally and I want to finish what we started last season and win a championship," Bowman said. "I was impressed with the quality of people in the organization and how well everything was run, which was definitely a factor in deciding to come back."

The addition of Bowman and Cowan brings the Icehawks training camp roster to 16 players with eleven forwards, four defenseman and one goalie. Training camp begins October 6 at McMorran Arena.

The line-up currently includes: returning players Tab Lardner (F), Jeff Zehr (F), Larry Sterling (G), Jamie Lovell (D), Kris Vernarsky (F), Jamie Carroll (F), and Jeremy Tucker (F), as well as newcomers Jeff Bateman (F), Jason Chafe (F), Paul Yavonic (F), Rob Valicevic (F), Jason Selleke (F), Ian Turner (D), and Daniel Tetrault (D).

The Icehawks host the Flint Generals for the first of two preseason games with their in-state rivals on October 10 at 7:30 p.m. They head to Flint on October 11 to wrap up exhibition play.

The Icehawks open the International Hockey League season with a Turner Cup Finals rematch versus the Fort Wayne Komets at home on Friday, October 17. Season ticket packages are available at the Icehawks office, 325 Huron Avenue, Port Huron. For more information, please call the Icehawks office at 810-966-3800 or visit www.porthuronicehawks.com.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from September 2, 2008


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