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Rangers Ready to Start Season Wednesday

September 14, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release


Marquette - Despite temperatures in the high 70's over the past week, the Marquette Rangers Tier II Junior "A" hockey team has been on the ice busy preparing for this Wednesday's North American Hockey League season opener against the Texas Tornado at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn.

"We're to the point where it will be good to play in an actual game instead of just practice," said head coach Kenny Miller. "We had a successful exhibition weekend over in the Soo (against the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League) where we won two games against a good team; but to see how we play within our league will give us a much better idea of where we are and what we might need to work on."

"Obviously we're excited to try and improve on last year where we had some good things happen, but ultimately didn't make the playoffs which is one of our main goals this season," Miller added.

The Rangers open the 2009 edition of the NAHL Showcase Wednesday at 6:00 PM Eastern against perennial power the Texas Tornado. The Tornado organization was dormant last year while renovations were made to their rink in suburban Dallas, but have a strong history in the NAH;L claiming three straight Robertson Cup championships from 2004 - 2006.

The game with Texas will also be a matchup involving four Tornado players who skated in Marquette prior to moving south. Forward Scott Deur, defenseman Brendan Bandyk and goaltender Dan Sullivan all skated for the Rangers last season, while Texas forward Josh Bussell was a Ranger in 2007 - 08 before being traded to the Motor City Machine.

Marquette will follow with games Thursday at 11:30 AM against the Wenatchee (WA) Wild, Friday the Rangers will play Wichita Falls (TX) at 2:45 PM before wrapping up the event Saturday at 10:00 AM against the Kenai River (AK) Brown Bears.

All games from the NAHL Showcase will be available with streaming video and audio from B2 Networks through the teams' website www.marquetterangers.com.

Marquette opens the home portion of the regular season Friday and Saturday September, 25th and 26th at Lakeview Arena against the Fairbanks (AK) Ice Dogs of the NAHL West Division.

"We have a good blend of newcomers and veterans," Miller added. "We'll be strong in goal with Kevin Kissaw returning and the addition of Lukas Hafner; we have experienced defense and a strong core group of guys who can put the puck in the net too so we're anxious to get on the bus and get the season underway."

The Rangers have also named captains for the 2009 - 10 campaign. Garrett Ladd, a third year Ranger forward from downstate Fenton has been named Captain this season; while Marquette native and third-year forward Collin Saint-Onge along with Scott Henegar and defenseman Austin Accettura will act at assistants.

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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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