Seals add player and a coach
Published on August 11, 2005 under SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
[CELEBRATION, Fla.] -Florida Seals Head Coach Tommy Stewart continues to sign his core players. Today he agreed to terms with John Gurskis to be his Player/Assistant. This will be the third season Stewart and Gurskis have teamed up together.
Gurskis, the second veteran signed by the Seals, decided against retirement, again, and is ready to be a leader on and off the ice for Florida this season. The Brockton, Mass. native will enter his eighth year in professional hockey.
Fans can expect a lot from Gurskis when it comes to skills. The gifted center is one of the best two-way players in the minor leagues. Offensively the 5'11" forward has averaged 20 goals over the past six seasons including 21 tallies and a 60 point season last year with the Macon Trax.
"Johnny is one of the best players I have seen at the minor league level," said Stewart. "He will play any role I ask him. I know he will be the best penalty killer on this team and will also be a huge part of the power play."
In addition to his playing abilities, he has been the sounding board for Stewart the past two years in Macon. Gurskis, who has aspirations to coach at the college level, worked close with Stewart on many occasions with inner-workings of the team.
"I make all the final decisions but I value the information Johnny provides," said Stewart, "He often was the first to hear me complain about the team's performance, but took it in stride and is an amazing leader inside the locker room."
The signing is the ninth for the Florida Seals this season. Stewart expects to invite about 25 players to camp and keeping 18 players as per Southern Professional Hockey League rules. The roster will continue to grow in the coming weeks as the season is just over two months away.
Get ready for the home opener Saturday, October 29 at the Silver Spurs Arena. To reserve your season tickets or find out more about partnerships with the Seals call the office at (321) 939-2465 or go to www.floridaseals.com. Season tickets for exciting Seals hockey start as low as $225 and there are many different options to set up a payment plan to fit your budget.
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