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Pride Add Two, Another Called Up

October 27, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


FLORENCE, SC – The Florence Pride, proud members of the ECHL announced today that the team has signed left wing Mike Souza (Sue-za) and goaltender Sebastien Laplante. Both are expected to be in uniform tomorrow night when the Pride travel to Charleston to take on the South Carolina Stingrays. The Pride also announced that goaltender Matt Underhill has again been recalled by the AHL's Manchester Monarchs.

A third round draft choice of the Chicago Blackhawks (#67 overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Souza has spent his entire professional career in the American Hockey League. He spent the entire 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons with the Pride's AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, and then split last season with the Admirals and Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In 205 professional games, Souza has 43 goals and 45 assists for 88 points.

Prior to turning professional, Souza played four seasons at the University of New Hampshire, appearing in 156 games, and scoring 66 goals and 90 assists for 156 points.

"Mike is an AHL player that has fallen through the cracks this year," Pride Head Coach Perry Florio said. "He brings experience without being a vet, and he will score goals. We are happy to have him."

Laplante has been practicing with the team for the last two weeks as he waited for his immigration to be approved. He enters his second professional season after winning 20 games for the Roanoke Express last season. He also appeared in two games last season with the Norfolk Admirals. Laplante was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the ninth round (#277 overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

"Seabass is an excellent young goalie," Florio said. "I had him last year and he improved every day. I am excited to be reunited with him again."

This is already the second time this season that Underhill has been recalled to the Monarchs. He played in two games for Manchester earlier in the season, posting an 0-2-0 record.

The Pride are back in action tomorrow night, traveling to Charleston for a 7:00 faceoff with the Stingrays. Catch all of the action on WDAR Sunny 105.5, starting with the Palmetto Chiropractic Pre-Game Show at 6:40.

Florence is home for a pair of games this weekend. Friday night, when the Pride host Augusta, fans are invited to dress in their Halloween costume to participate in a costume contest. Also, fans will have the opportunity to trick-or-treat at the arena's concessions stands. Saturday, the Pride take on the Trenton Titans for the only time this season. Tickets for all Pride home games are available at the Florence Civic Center Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at (843) 679-9333 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.



ECHL Stories from October 27, 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.

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