Sports stats



Pride Ink Trio of Players

August 21, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


FLORENCE, SC -- Pee Dee Pride Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Davis Payne today announced that the team has reached contract agreements with three more players for the 2002-2003 season. Right wing Wes Goldie and defenseman/forward Mike Torney will be returning to Pee Dee, while defenseman Ryan Knox will join the Pride after splitting last season with Mobile in the ECHL and Grand Rapids of the AHL.

Goldie will be entering his third full season with the Pride. He joined Pee Dee for the final seven games of the 1999-2000 season following a standout junior career in the OHL that saw him score 249 points in 261 games. In his first full season as a pro, 2000-2001, the London, ONT native scored 33 goals and added 22 assists in 71 games. Last year, Goldie missed more than two months of action with a broken wrist. He played in 47 games, scoring 27 points on 15 goals and 12 assists. Goldie came up big in the playoffs, scoring nine points in the Pride's nine post-season contests.

"This will be a big year for Wes," Payne said. "Two years ago he was a 30-goal scorer in this league. Last year, his injury cost him a good deal of the season, but he did put up a point per game in the playoffs. We look for him to be able to regain his scoring touch."

Torney enters his second professional season. The University of Vermont product tallied nine goals and added 13 assists for 22 points in his rookie season. Five of his nine goals were game-winners. The Raynham, MA native began the season as a defenseman, but was moved to forward mid-way through the season, and adjusted well to his new role.

"Mike made a big contribution for our team last year as a rookie," Payne said. "He helped us out not only on the blue line, but also up front. Coming into his second season, he won't have to make the adjustment to the pro game, and should be able to make an immediate impact."

The newcomer of the bunch is defenseman Ryan Knox. Last season the rookie saw time with the Mobile Mysticks of the ECHL, who have suspended operations for this season, and the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. In 49 games with Mobile, Knox scored 11 goals and added 19 assists for 30 points. With Grand Rapids, the 23-year-old posted eight points in 18 contests.

"Ryan is going to be an important part of our defensive corps this season, especially on

the power play," Payne said. "He has shown the ability to put up big power-play numbers, not only at this level, but at the AHL level as well. He will be a leader on the blue line for us this season."

The Pride will hold a "Meet your Seat" Night at the Florence Civic Center on Thursday, August 29 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This night will give fans an opportunity to see what seats are still available for season-ticket purchases, as well as get to meet the team's new owners. Pee Dee opens their sixth season in Florence at home on Friday, October 11 against the South Carolina Stingrays.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from August 21, 2002


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.

Other Recent Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central