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River Otters Center Whitecotton Signs Two-way Contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

September 25, 2002 - United Hockey League (UHL)
Missouri River Otters News Release


Head coach/director of hockey operations Mark Reeds of the Missouri River Otters of the United Hockey League (UHL) announced today that center Dustin Whitecotton has been signed to a two-way contract by the American Hockey League's (AHL) Grand Rapids Griffins for the 2002-2003 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound center will open his third professional season in training camp with the Griffins. Camp activities begin Monday, September 30 and will take place at Griff's Ice House in Belknap, MI. Whitecotton enjoyed an eight-game call-up with the Griffins last season from late February to mid-March, scoring his first career AHL goal in a 9-1 rout of the Utah Grizzlies on February 24.

Whitecotton led the River Otters in goals (37), power play goals (T-14), assists (58), points (95) and multi-point games (27) in 2001-2002. He ranked fifth in the UHL in scoring and sixth in assists, garnering UHL Postseason First Team All-Star honors. He was also named the UHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player after being assessed just six penalty minutes during the season.

Whitecotton was a member of the team's top line last season with wingers Joe Ritson and Jason Gudmundson. The trio collected 252 points (100g, 152a) together, accounting for 35.3 percent of the team's offensive output.

Reeds said Whitecotton established himself as a premier player with his second-year performance.

"Dustin was arguably the MVP of our League last season," Reeds said. "We really missed him when he was on call-up with Grand Rapids late in the year, but upon his return, he was a big part of us going 9-1 to finish the season. He deserves a long, hard look by Danton Cole (Griffins head coach) and his staff."

As a rookie (2000-2001) with the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), Whitecotton tallied 41 points (17g, 24a) in 72 games. The 22-year-old native of Cherryville, BC set team marks for points and shots (181) by a rookie. He ranked seventh in team scoring.

Whitecotton is a graduate of the University of Miami-Ohio, where he played four years of college hockey. He posted his best season at Miami-Ohio during his senior year (1999-00), when he set college career highs for goals (12), assists (26) and points (38). Following his senior season, he was named the Team MVP, received Honorable Mention All CCHA and was named to the CCHA All Academic Team. In 121 games at Miami-Ohio, he recorded 85 points (24g, 61a).

The River Otters have now signed 11 players this off-season: center Joey Bastien, wingers Lonnie Loach, Joe Ritson, Riley Nelson, Jason Gudmundson, Marty Melnychuk and Andy Burnham, and defensemen Doug Searle, Jason Hughes, Kevin Chabbert and Henrik Melinder. Goaltender Brian Regan signed a two-year deal with the team in September 2001.

Season ticket packages and corporate partnership opportunities are available by calling the River Otters at 636.946.0003.



United Hockey League Stories from September 25, 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.

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