Roadrunners establish veteran presence
August 10, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
PHOENIX - The Phoenix Roadrunners of the ECHL have announced that defensemen Ed Hill and Paul Ballantyne and forward Ben Knopp have each agreed to terms on a contract for the 2005-06 season. Per club policy, terms of each deal were not disclosed.
Highlighting the signings is Hill, 24, a fifth-year professional and former second round draft pick of the Nashville Predators at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Hill tallied a career-best six goals and 25 points in 54 games with Peoria of the ECHL last season to finish second among Rivermen defensemen in scoring after being acquired from the Florida Everblades early in the year. A sound defenseman, the Newburyport, Mass. native has enjoyed three stints in the American Hockey League totaling 92 games since 2001, all with the Lowell Lock Monsters. For his career, Hill has notched 10 goals and 51 points in 211 professional games.
Ballantyne, 23, recorded five goals and 16 points in 54 games in 2004-05 between the Toledo Storm of the ECHL and the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. A fourth-year professional, Ballantyne was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and has spent his entire professional career in the Red Wings system with the exception of three games with the Louisiana Ice Gators. Considered one of the better offensive defenseman in the ECHL, the Waterloo, ONT native led all Toledo defensemen in scoring during the 2003-04 season with a career-high 13 goals and 36 points. Ballantyne has totaled 30 goals and 81 points in 183 professional games.
"Ed and Paul will be the foundation of our team," said Head Coach Ron Filion. "They are both big, agile players who will form a terrific one-two punch on the power play and two guys that I will count on to lead our team every night."
Knopp, 23, comes to Phoenix after potting 10 goals and 23 points in 34 games last year between the Dayton Bombers and Pee Dee Pride of the ECHL and the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. A known agitator around the net, Knopp spent the entire 2003-04 season in the AHL with Syracuse where he finished with 7 goals and 12 points in 63 games. The fourth-year professional and native of Calgary, ALTA is a former third round draft choice of the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, and has 25 goals, 57 points, and 248 penalty minutes in 182 professional games.
"Ben came out of juniors as a proven sniper, but unfortunately hasn't found the right situation yet to thrive in at the pro level," said Filion. "We're going to give him every opportunity here to become that player again that can score 25-30 goals a season, and I'm confident that he will."
Hill, Ballantyne, and Knopp join a Roadrunners roster that already includes center Dean Tiltgen and goaltender Michael Mole who were signed back in the spring.
Roadrunners professional hockey returns to downtown Phoenix at 7 PM on Saturday, October 22 when the Utah Grizzlies visit America West Arena in the ECHL season opener for both teams. Season tickets for all 36 home games are on sale now and start as low as $252. For more information, call (602) 462-GOAL or visit www.phxroadrunners.com.
ECHL Stories from August 10, 2005
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- ECHL Promotes Malavasi To Marketing Coordinator - ECHL
- Fultz Signs with Gladiators - Atlanta Gladiators
- Roadrunners establish veteran presence - Phoenix RoadRunners
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- Serbus accepts job with Tampa Bay - Pensacola Ice Pilots
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