PrairieThunder players in AHL camps
Published on September 16, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - A franchise record five players on the Bloomington PrairieThunder roster for the 2009-10 International Hockey League season have been invited to participate in various American Hockey League training camps beginning Sunday.
Center Jon Booras and defenseman Nick Goyens will take part in the Chicago Wolves camp. Goalie Paulo Colaiacovco and defenseman Justin Sawyer will be with the Peoria Rivermen, while defensemen Jason Lepine is headed for the Rockford IceHogs.
"To have five players invited to AHL camps is great for the PrairieThunder organization," said Bloomington coach Jarrod Skalde. "It's a great way for us to build relationships with organizations at a higher level.
"It also gives our players the ability to showcase their talents and test their skills against players not in our league. And the fact that we have five guys in AHL camps hopefully speaks volumes in terms of the caliber of players that we have recruited for the PrairieThunder this season and are recruiting for the future."
Skalde also pointed out this is a case where not having an affiliation with a NHL franchise was beneficial.
"A number of people in the hockey feel it's important to have an affiliation with a NHL organization, but because we don't have one it allows our players to go various camps rather than just one," said Skalde. "It gives more of our players an opportunity at different places."
The Peoria Rivermen are affiliated with the St. Louis Blues, while the Chicago Wolves are connected with the Atlanta Flames, and the Rockford IceHogs with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Booras, the team captain and All-IHL selection last season, led the PrairieThunder in scoring with 100 points (second in the league). He also is the PrairieThunder career leader in games played, points, goals and assists.
Goyens, who will still be classified as a rookie this season in the IHL, played in 53 games for Bloomington last year. He scored five goals with seven assists for 12 points.
Lepine, who will be in his second year with the PrairieThunder, was limited to 21 games after suffering a torn ACL early in the season. He returned to play in the final 16 games and score five goals with six assists for 11 points.
Colaiacovo and Sawyer, both with substantial pro experience, will be in their first season with the PrairieThunder. Calaiacovo has a 43-17-5 career record. Sawyer has scored 29 career points with 275 penalty minutes in four seasons.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from September 16, 2009
- Icehawks Extend Season Ticket Discount Through September - Port Huron Icehawks
- Mallards to Open Inaugural IHL Season with "Faceoff Rocks" - Quad City Mallards
- PrairieThunder players in AHL camps - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- PrairieThunder single game tickets available September 24 - Bloomington PrairieThunder
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
