Rookies Robertson & Lundin in the Fold
August 27, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- Training camp to mark season celebration 50 is beginning to reach the countdown stages with excitement everywhere in the air for the home town team. As we move closer to the Golden Anniversary Season, the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League move closer to the early completion of their first day roster.
On this date, General Manager / Governor Tim Taylor has announced the contract signings of two talented rookie players who may very well possess the package of potential paramount to on-ice success for the 50th Anniversary Season franchise. The latest newcomers to enter and sign-in for the Lumberjacks are left wing MATT ROBERTSON and goaltender MATT LUNDIN. Adhering to club policy, terms of the pacts were not disclosed.
ROBERTSON, 21, will come to Muskegon and his first-ever pro camp after being heavily recruited by Lumberjacks Head Coach Rich Kromm. The 5-9, 170lb high-tech, high-octane forward brings to the Lumberjacks a rich resume of goal-scoring and point-producing prowess percolated from a stellar three-year career in the prestigious major junior âA' circuit, the Western Hockey League (WHL).
In his final year of major junior âA' eligibility in 2008-09, the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan product, once again, was offensively terrific and prolific, garnering 55-points in 68-games in combination with both the Prince Albert Raiders and Regina Pats. For the campaign, Robertson delivered 26-goals, 29-assists; Prince Albert 43(15-19-34); Regina 25(11-10-21) while collecting 52-PIM. It marked his third consecutive campaign in which he had authored at least 26-goals and 55-points.
GM Taylor has a good feeling about Robertson on the roster and looks forward to his arrival at training camp. "Matt is a player whom Rich Kromm is very familiar with from his recent and many years of major junior âA' coaching in the WHL. During those years, Matt has demonstrated some really outstanding offensive production at the very top level. In fact, as his numbers show, he has averaged some 30-goals per season over the past three years. We think, that as a rookie, he has the talent to make a significant contribution to our hockey club in this upcoming season."
On two separate occasions, coming in two consecutive years, the newest Lumberjacks left wing topped his WHL team in scoring productivity, including his best season overall in 2006-07 when he engineered 64-points in 69-games with his 37-goals foremost for his Prince Albert squad. One season later, in 2007-08, he led the Raiders one more time with 27-goals, 32-assists, 59-points in 72-appearances.
To further elucidate and validate his scoring affinity, throughout his last three seasons in the WHL, he averaged 30-goals, 29-assists, 59-points. For his major junior âA' career; 209-games; 90-goals, 88-assists, 178-points with 124-PIM.
LUNDIN, (lunn-DEAN) 23, is embarking on his first-ever pro season, arriving on the Muskegon hockey scene following a decorated collegiate career at two highly-regarded and respected programs; namely the U. of Maine and Mercyhurst College.
The American-bred from Apple Valley, Minnesota saw action with the Maine Black Bears in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and with the Mercyhurst Lakers in 2007-08 and 2008-09. In between, he assembled a brilliant campaign in the USHL in Sioux Falls.
In three of his four collegiate campaigns, he posted winning records as well as GAA of under 3.00 and SPCT signif-icantly surpassing the coveted .900 plateau. In the 2006-07 season, while in the USHL with Sioux Falls, Lundin was dynamic, posting a masterful 44(24-15-5) record in 44-games with 2-shutouts, 2.55 GAA and .912 SPCT.
GM Taylor is acutely aware of the importance of having a strong rookie goaltender in augmenting his team's lineup. "Matt's numbers in the collegiate ranks were truly excellent especially considering that he achieved those good numbers with two of the top programs in the nation. From an organizational standpoint, it was a top priority to land an outstanding rookie goalkeeper. In Matt Lundin, we feel that we have filled this key department as he should be a good, capable back-up netminder who will grow, mature, develop and gain invaluable experience at the pro level."
Lundin's best season occurred in his initial campaign at Mercyhurst in 2007-08. Playing in a career-high 30-games, he compiled a record of 30(13-12-5) with an avarice GAA of 2.81, 1-shutout and .918 SPCT. One season earlier, in his final season at Maine, he was utterly brilliant, posting a scintillating 1.72 GAA, miserly .934 SPCT, 11(7-4-0) record and 3-shutouts.
His collegiate career statistical profile reads: 66-games; 55(25-25-5), 4-shutouts, 2.72 GAA and .917 SPCT.
Today's signings of left wing MATT ROBERTSON and goaltender MATT LUNDIN bring to 14 the total number of players presently under Muskegon contract for the 2009-10 50th Anniversary Season. Previously, the Lumberjacks announced the signings of goaltender SEBASTIEN CENTOMO, defensemen MATT GENS, JASON LAWMAS-TER, LUBOS VELEBNY; centers TRAVIS BANGA, BRIAN BICEK, BILLY COLLINS, TODD ROBINSON; left wings ROBIN BIG SNAKE, JOHN DIPACE; right wings ROBIN BOUCHARD, KEVIN DEMERS.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from August 27, 2009
- PrairieThunder Signs Four - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Two New Players Join Port Huron Icehawks Roster - Port Huron Icehawks
- Rookies Robertson & Lundin in the Fold - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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