Ryan Barnes signs with Fury
Published on August 2, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- As they make ready for their 15th season of operations as a bona fide member of the United Hockey League, the UHL's all time top winning team, the Muskegon Fury, are continuing their roster construction expressly to reclaim coveted championship status for the upcoming 2006-07 season. One more positive step forward has been realized with the franchise latest player acquisition.
On this date, the Fury Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman, in collaboration with Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson, have announced that veteran left wing RYAN BARNES has assented to contract terms and inked a one-year deal with the Muskegon club for the 2006-07 campaign. Adhering to club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
BARNES, 26, will be approaching his seventh pro season overall and his first in the Muskegon hockey armor. The rugged, rock-ribbed 6-1, 220lb left-hand shooting forward will actually be making his third tour of duty in the UHL despite having played the preponderance of his pro career at the higher levels of the AHL and IHL as well as a brief stint performing in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings. He will make his Muskegon premiere appearance coming off a sound and solid 2005-06 season in which he saw significant, stellar action in both the AHL and the UHL.
Obtained by the Fury in the fourth round of the recent UHL Dispersal Draft II from the defunct Danbury Trashers, the native of Dunnville, Ontario broached last season in the AHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs before his procurement by the Connecticut-based UHL club. In Danbury, Barnes flourished as he averaged nearly a point a game, collecting 27-point in 32-outings through 8-goals, 19-assists with his numbers also including 2-PPG, 2-GWG and 1-SHG along with an excellent +15 rating. His 114-PIM testified to his intense, physical on-ice persona.
The former second round draft choice of the NHL Detroit Red Wings became a principal catalyst in his Danbury team's climb to the 2006 Colonial Cup Playoffs Finals which included the deposing of the Fury as the reigning two-time Colonial Cup kings in six games (4-2), in the league's semi-finals post-season round.
Having played for three full seasons in the AHL with the Red Wings' primary affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, Barnes is more than familiar with his Fury coach Todd Nelson; especially since the latter was his assistant coach behind the "Grifs" bench during the 2002-03 season. The Fury bench pilot is enthused about this impending reunion. "Certainly we are very excited to have Ryan join our hockey club. He brings to us a tremendous amount experience, having played in the NHL with the Red Wings as well as for a number of years in the AHL. His contributions to our team will be many and significant. He is an outstanding two-way player who will also produce offense at this level and thrive as an excellent penalty-killer. Ryan plays with a lot of grit and will provide the Fury with strong leadership qualities. His presence in the locker room also will be an asset to us in building strength of chemistry with the team and in the dressing room."
Detroit's second choice, 55th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Barnes saw action with the NHL Red Wings in the 2003-04 campaign, being elevated from Grand Rapids during the course of the regular season.. In three seasons with the Motor City team's top affiliate, his totals read: 211(18-27-45) with 493-PIM. In the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons, he helped spark the Griffins AHL divisional and conference crowns. His 151-PIM in '02-03 paced the GR squad.
Barnes actually launched his pro career in the 2000-01 season when he played for the Toledo Storm of the ECHL and the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL. It was his first of two straight seasons divided between those two Ohio-based teams.
He made his Grand Rapids debut the ensuing season of 2002-03; his first of three campaigns there.
In the 2004-05 campaign, he met his first acquaintance in the UHL when he played 11-games for the Kalamazoo Wings. In those 11-games with the K-Wings, he authored 8-points on 3-goals, 5-assists with 4-PIM.
Barnes arrived on the pro hockey scene with some impressive credentials in tow. In his final season of Major Junior 'A' with the Barrie Colts of the OHL, he helped spur his team to both the division and OHL titles. His 14-points during the playoffs that season catapulted the Colts to the Memorial Cup Finals.
In the previous season of 1998-99, still with Barrie, he led the OHL with 399-PIM while his team captured the Central Division championship.
Through his initial six seasons in the professional ranks, the newest member of the Fury has achieved the following career totals: 327-games, 34-goals, 58-assists, 92-points with 810-PIM. His totals in the ECHL and UHL combined are: 60-games, 14-goals, 28-assists, 42-points and 149-PIM.
Today's signing of left wing RYAN BARNES brings to eight the number of players signed by the Fury for the 2006-07 UHL season. Previously, Muskegon announced the signings of defensemen JOSH CHASE, PHILIPPE PLANTE, JOE POMARANSKI, DAVE VAN DRUNEN; centers BILLY COLLINS, TODD ROBINSON; right wing ROBIN BOUCHARD.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from August 2, 2006
- American Hockey League Comes To Elmira - Elmira Jackals
- K-Wings Going Big Willie Style - Kalamazoo Wings
- Ryan Barnes signs with Fury - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Chicago Hounds Sign McArthur and Brolsma for 2006-2007 Season - Chicago Hounds
- Goodwin, Dombkiewicz re-sign with Komets - Fort Wayne Komets
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