Snakes add six, announce training camp schedule

Published on October 21, 2004 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Columbus Cottonmouths of the SPHL today announced the signing of six players, rounding out the roster before the start of training camp on October 25. The players are goaltender Terry Friesen, defenseman Kyle Ross, defenseman/forward Ryan Haggarty, and forwards Brant Becker, Orrin Hergott (HUHR-go), and Lorne Misita (mah-SEE-tuh). With the signings, the Snakes now have a total of twenty players signed for training camp.

Friesen, who will celebrate his 27th birthday during the Cottonmouths' home opener on October 29, has spent the past four seasons with the Fresno Falcons in both the West Coast Hockey League and ECHL last season. In fact, Friesen was the winning goaltender in the Falcons' victory in Columbus on November 4 of last season. Friesen was also the number one goaltender for Fresno in the Falcons' WCHL championship season in 2001-02. He finished last season with Pensacola, playing in one game for the Ice Pilots in the playoffs. The 5'11", 190-pounder also played parts of two seasons with the former Kentucky Thoroughblades of the American Hockey League and was a third-round selection (55th overall) by the San Jose Sharks in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

"Combined with Chad Rycroft, Friesen should help us become rock-solid in net," said Columbus head coach and general manager Jerome Bechard.

Haggarty comes to Columbus from Nipawin of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. In 50 games last season, Haggarty tallied 19 points (9G, 10A) with an even 200 penalty minutes. The 5'10", 195-pounder is 21 years old and will begin his first pro season in Columbus. Ross, at 6'3", 215 pounds, played 40 games last season with Port Coquitlam in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League, scoring 33 points (6G, 27A) there along with 242 penalty minutes.

"Ryan and Kyle will both bring a physical presence to the blue line, while both skaters also have a goal-scoring touch," said Bechard.

Becker, 24, played for Red Deer College in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference last season, tallying a whopping 18 points (11G, 7A) in only 6 games played. The 5'11", 164-pounder also played four games in Fort Wayne of the United Hockey League in 2001-02, notching an assist in four games. Hergott, a speedy 5'7", 160-pound, 22-year-old, comes to the Snakes from Humboldt in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, where he scored 50 points (26G, 24A) in 46 games played in 2002-03. Misita, 23, stands 5'11" and 190 pounds. He spent the last three seasons at the University of Prince Edward Island, tallying 49 points (15G, 34A) over a combined 79 games.

"Each of these guys bring a little something different to the table, but all of them caught my eye as potentially being a key part of our team this season," said Bechard.

The Cottonmouths also have announced the training camp schedule for next week. Practice will begin at 9 AM on Monday, October 25, with a special scrimmage game against the Macon Trax on Wednesday, October 27 at 6 PM, three days before the two teams are set to square off again at the Columbus Civic Center in regular-season action on Saturday, October 30. Admission to the scrimmage game on October 27 is free of charge.

"This will give us a chance to make sure everything is ready both on and off the ice for the upcoming season and will give our fans a treat to get to know our rivals again a little early," said Bechard.

The Cottonmouths kick off the regular season with TIC Federal Credit Union/Charter Communications Magnetic Schedule Night on Friday, October 29 at 7:30 PM when Columbus hosts the Knoxville Ice Bears. October 30 marks Burger King Hockey Cheer Stix Night as the Snakes battle the intrastate rival Macon Trax, also with a 7:30 PM start. Also on October 30, fans of all ages can trick or treat throughout the Snake Pit and participate in an on-ice costume contest for a chance to win cash prizes as the Cottonmouths celebrate Halloween.

Single-game tickets for all Cottonmouths home games start at just $10 and are available at the Columbus Civic Center box office, all Publix supermarkets, and online at http://www.ticketmaster.com. For more information about group outings, season tickets, and other ticket discounts, contact the Cottonmouths office at 706.571.0086.

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