Scorpions sign three more players for 2003-04

Published on July 16, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
New Mexico Scorpions News Release


ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Scorpions of the Central Hockey League announced that the team has signed three more players for the 2003-2004 season. Defenseman Vladimir Hartinger and right wing Craig Stahl have re-signed with the team, while rookie blueliner Brock Johnson is a new addition. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deals will not be disclosed.

The Scorpions acquired Hartinger from Wichita at the trading deadline last season. The native of Sternberk, Czech Republic, who is celebrating his 24th birthday today, set career highs with 13 goals, 30 points and 115 penalty minutes in splitting the season with the Thunder and New Mexico and had eight points (3g-5a) in 13 games after joining the Scorpions. He was selected to the 2003 CHL All-Star Game, and is known throughout the league for his bodychecking skills, especially in open ice. Hartinger begins his third season in North America and his fifth as a professional.

Stahl skated in 62 of 64 games last year for the Scorpions, posting nine goals, nine assists and a career-high 209 penalty minutes. He was second on the team with three shorthanded goals. The 26 year-old native of Cranbrook, British Columbia is entering his sixth professional season.

"We're excited to have both Craig and Vladdy back for next season," said Scorpions Head Coach/Assistant General Manager Bill McDonald. "Craig is a great character guy and a leader in the dressing room. He sticks up for his teammates and does anything asked of him, plus he's a tenacious penalty killer. Vladdy was an important pick-up for us last season and I'm glad he' s going to be back. He has all of the tools you want in a defenseman: he's solid defensively, has good offensive skills and provides a physical presence on the ice.

Stahl is excited to be returning for a second season with the Scorpions. "I 'm looking forward to spending another season in New Mexico. It's an honor to have a chance at the championship with such a great organization and coaching staff. I think we can definitely do it this year with the team that Coach McDonald is putting together.

Johnson, who is Stahl's cousin, joins the Scorpions after finishing his career with the Penticton Panthers of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound native of Nelson, British Columbia compiled six goals, 25 points and a team-high 176 penalty minutes in 58 games.

The Scorpions also announced that the team's home opener will be Friday, October 31 at Tingley Coliseum against their new Northwest Division rival, the expansion Colorado Eagles. The full CHL schedule is expected to be unveiled next week. Season tickets for the 2003-2004 season start as low as $320, as prices remain the same for the upcoming season. For more information, call the Scorpions office at (505) 881-PUCK (7825).

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Central Hockey League Stories from July 16, 2003


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