PrairieThunder releases training camp schedule and roster
September 28, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Bloomington PrairieThunder Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Derek Booth announced today that 23 players will open the team's 2006-07 Training Camp, which will begin on Sunday, October 1st with morning physicals for camp invitees, and the first on-ice practice at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 2nd.
Former Peoria Rivermen Captain and current PrairieThunder Player/Coach Trevor Baker headlines the list of local favorites to attend pre-season camp. Baker, recently named one of the 25 Greatest Rivermen of All-Time, is entering his eighth professional season. He attended pre-season camp with the Peoria Rivermen this month, along with PrairieThunder signees Brock Becker and Jeff Mushaluk.
The 6-foot-1, 160-pound Baker, who plays at the center position, signed to play with the PrairieThunder in June. Rookie forward and 6-foot-1, 190-pound Becker attended Minnesota State - Mankato four years before signing with the PrairieThunder, and Mushaluk, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound defenseman, played last season with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, but enters this season with his rookie status.
Three players attending PrairieThunder pre-season camp played for the Fayetteville FireAntz last season while Booth was the head coach of the team. PrairieThunder signee Mike Clarke, a 5-foot-9, 186-pound defenseman, is entering his fourth professional season, while 6-foot, 190-pound defenseman Mark Phenow, also a team signee, will play his fifth professional season, and 5-foot-11, 195-pound forward Rob Whidden is entering his second professional season.
Last year four of the players who have signed with the PrairieThunder and are on the PrairieThunder training camp roster played in other United Hockey League teams. Defenseman Chris Bogas (6-foot-1, 205-pound, eighth season) played in Motor City last season, while forward Jason Cassells (5-foot-9, 181-pound, 2nd season) was a member of the Elmira Jackals and defenseman Jason Lawmaster (6-foot-2, 200-pound, 11th season) played for the Muskegon Fury. Goalie Jeff Reynaert (6-foot, 170-pound, 7th year) played last season in Kalamazoo.
PrairieThunder signee left wings Mathieu Brunelle (5-foot-11, 181-pound, 4th year), Garett Cameron (5-foot-9, 175-pound, 4th year) and Justin Kinnunen (6-foot-1, 165-pound, 3rd year), as well as signee forwards Phil Cherneski (5-foot-10, 175-pound, 2nd year) and B.J. Gaustad (6-foot, 205-pound, 4th year) will be on the ice at PrairieThunder training camp. Joining them will be defenseman Wes Blevins (6-foot, 205-pound, 7th year), right wing Dmitri Tarabrin (5-foot-8, 180-pound, 11th year) and wing Shawn Roed (5-foot-9, 172 pound, 8th year), as well as goalies Steffan Braunlich (6-foot-3, 230 pound, rookie) and Bryan Worosz (5-foot-10, 175-pound, 2nd year). Blevins, Tarabrin, Roed and Braunlich have all inked contracts with the team.
Three remaining players, Mike O'Donnell, C.J. Tauson and Justin Todd finish out the training camp roster. Head coach Derek Booth is pleased with the group attending camp, and excited to get the week started.
"We've put together a solid group of players to attend our inaugural Training Camp," said Booth. "We have a great mix of experienced veteran leaders, and young rookie players that I think will complement one another on the ice. I'm ready to get this season underway, and am confident this will be an exciting and competitive week."
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