Rookie Blueliners Join Blazers Roster

Published on August 21, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


Oklahoma City, Okla. - The Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League signed rookie defensemen Ryan Howdle, Cory Unser and Keith Sedgwick, head coach Doug Sauter announced today.

Howdle, a 6-4, 245-pound native of Red Deer, Alberta played the last three seasons in the colligate ranks with the St. Norbert Knights. Prior to attending school, he played four seasons in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the Humboldt Broncos. In just over 200 games with Humboldt, he amassed 29 points (8-21-29) and served 832 penalty minutes.

Joining Howdle on the blueline will be fellow rearguard Cory Unser. The 6-2, 187-pounder from Sedley, Saskatchewan skated the previous two seasons with the University of Regina. In 62 games, he amassed 13 points (2-11-13) while serving 137 penalty minutes. Before playing at the university level, he skated in two full seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. In 119 games over two seasons with the Wheat Kings he picked up 19 points (6-13-19) and served 120 penalty minutes.

Sedgwick, a 6-0, 182-pound native of Clearwater, British Columbia, played the last three seasons in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, splitting time between the Revelstoke Grizzlies and Osoyoos Storm. In 114 games between the two clubs, he scored 46 points (17-29-46) and served 213 penalty mintues. Last season with the Storm, he served as team captain and was named the club's Most Valuable Player.

"All three of these players bring different levels of experience with them to our camp," said Sauter. "Howdle is a big, tough lad who will not be afraid to help keep the area in front of our net clear. Unser brings two years of college and two years of major junior experience with him. Sedgwick comes to our club highly recommended by his head coach one of my former players, former #1 NHL draft choice, defenseman Barry Beck."

The signing of these rookies brings the number of Blazers signed for the 2002-03 season to 18. They join Ryan Rome, Derek Stone, Jason Fricker, Peter Arvanitis, Peter Robertson, Ryan Campbell, Jared Dumba, Tyler Fleck, Dave Shields, rookies Kane Ludwar, Marc Suderman and Boyd Ballard and CHL All-Stars Marty Standish, Blair Manning and Jonathan Dubois on the Blazers preseason roster.

The Blazers begin training camp on Monday, October 7 at the Blazers Ice Centre, with the season opener slated for October 18 against the Austin Ice Bats. Season tickets are currently on sale. For more information, call 235-PUCK (7825).

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Central Hockey League Stories from August 21, 2002


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