Predators Pull off First Trade in IIHL History

Published on October 16, 2003 under International Independent Hockey League (IIHL)
Northern Michigan Predators News Release


THUSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2003

Newly-named Northern Michigan Predators Coach Craig Coxe picked up two extra draft choices today in the International Independent Hockey League's upcoming Marquee Draft.

The Predators will draft twice in the Third round and twice in the fourth round after General Manager Joe Kolodziej worked a three-way deal that sends rights to their former assistant coach to the Ohio Valley Ice Cats. The Predators traded forward Garnet Walker and goaltender Robert Soliman to the Ice Cats in return for their No. 3 and No. 4 selections.

Coxe, a 16-year veteran of the pro game who played with four NHL teams, has had three coaching jobs in the Central Hockey League and Kolodziej likes the idea of getting him extra draft picks. "Craig knows a lot of guys, so getting a couple extra marquee picks might help us later," Kolodziej said.

"If we don't offer a certain level of salary by training camp, someone else could claim them but their rights revert back to us if they're unable to sign them," Kolodziej admitted. "Craig knows a lot of quality people who are veterans that might be willing to come here if they are released midway through the season."

The Ice Cats promptly traded Walker and Soliman to the North Country Barnstormers for Jason Rapcewicz. They also gave the Barnstormers their No. 3 pick in the upcoming Marquee Draft.

Rapcewicz was claimed by the Barnstormers on waivers earlier in the day after being released by the Predators. GM Kolodziej had hired him Sept. 11 to fill an assistant coach role before hiring Coxe, but had not reached a contract agreement yet for him to play.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder played last season as a right winger with the Quebec Aces in the Quebec Semi-Pro Hockey League and Dundas Real McCoys of OHA Senior A League. He's a native of Hamilton, Ontario.

Owners of the Ice Cats have not yet named a head coach, but have set an Oct. 22 deadline to make a decision. Rapcewicz is a definite candidate for the Ice Cats job although he is expected to go to training camp with a team in the South East Hockey League in hopes of playing there.

Soliman and Walker are only two players the Barnstormers have rights to at the moment. They expect to hire a head coach soon. They have four candidates currently playing at the AA level and all are expecting to possibly be squeezed out of the picture in their respective leagues by the veteran rule. The Barnstormers, who expect to reveal their home rink this week, will play games in a variety of cities where potential ownership groups have expressed an interest in bringing IIHL action to town permanently next season.

Soliman is from Sydney, Australia and he did his goaltending last season witht he Slovakian Lions. Walker is a forward from Innisfil, Ontario.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International Independent Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2003


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.

OurSports Central