Seals Start Building For \'06-'07 - Denike Agrees To Return
May 26, 2006 - SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
[KISSIMMEE, FL] - Following what was by all accounts a dream season for the Florida Seals in their new home, Coach Tommy Stewart has the task of rebuilding an even better team for the 2006-2007 SPHL season. And much like a sturdy building, the coach knew he had to have a solid base.
Consider the foundation already laid down and solid as a rock.
In what will be just the first of many player announcements to come in the next few months, Stewart and the Seals announced they have agreed in principal to a deal that will bring SPHL Goalie of the Year Terry Denike back to Kissimmee and the Silver Spurs Arena.
"My main goal this off-season was to resign him," said Stewart of Denike. "He came to me before the season ended and told me that he didn't want to go anywhere. He wanted to be my guy. It's a great relief when you get the cornerstone of your franchise signed."
"I know he's gotten some phone calls but he wants to come back and play for the Florida Seals and for me," Stewart added. "It's a great honor to get the SPHL Goalie of the Year back. He definitely is a workhorse and he will be one again this year."
Denike, a native of Burlington, Ontario and one time draft choice of the Los Angeles Kings, posted league-highs in wins (28) and minutes played (2831:40) as well as posting a 2.97 goals against average and .910 save percentage.
"Kissimmee is an amazing place to play hockey. We came really close to winning the championship in our first year," said Denike about his decision to return. "In my mind, we have some unfinished business for next year." The Seals lost in the SPHL finals to the Knoxville Ice Bears 3 games to 1.
"For me, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to come back as a challenger," he continued. "Like I said, Tommy and I have a good relationship and as a goaltender, it means a lot to me to have a coach that I can see his vision and I can be a part of it."
Coach Stewart believes that Denike's work ethic and desire to show everyone why the Kings drafted him in the seventh round of the 2001 draft are what make him great, even when the going got tough.
"For LA to give up on him - I think he wanted to prove a lot of people wrong and I think he started doing that last year," Stewart said. "I stuck with him even through his bad games and I told him he was our guy no matter what. He's physically and mentally tough and that's what you've got to be to play that position."
Denike's easy-going demeanor also made him a fan favorite, as did his willingness to participate in community events.
"Most goalies are your typical weird guys but Terry's not," Stewart said. "He gets along with his teammates great. He also gets out into the public, out in the community. People can approach him and he greets them with open arms."
The love affair between Denike and the fans is mutual.
"The fans were awesome and I want to show them that I appreciate everything," he said. "I want to win them a championship."
When asked about whether he could repeat his outstanding numbers of a year ago, the ever competitive goalie set the bar a bit higher for himself and the team.
"You know what - I think there's room for improvement," Denike said. "I know for a fact that the guys that Tommy is talking about bringing in and with the core guys he's bringing back that we'll be a championship team. I believe that."
"That's the biggest part about preparing for a championship team - realizing that you're on one."
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SPHL Stories from May 26, 2006
- Seals Start Building For â06-'07 - Denike Agrees To Return - Florida Seals
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