Stars Invite NHL Draftees, Former Buckeye on Tryouts
September 17, 2003 - United Hockey League (UHL)
Columbus Stars News Release
Ryan Skaleski, Craig Hillier and Ryan Courtney to get a look in October pre-season camp
COLUMBUS, OH â Every fall, the near-misses, guys with great potential and players looking for a shot, fill professional team's training camp ice sessions from coast to coast and all points in between. This October, Columbus will be one of these points.
The Stars have announced that former NHL draftees Craig Hillier and Ryan Courtney and former Ohio State Buckeye Ryan Skaleski have been invited to camp on professional tryouts. The Stars camp will open on October 12 and will include portions open to the public. Check the team's website, www.columbusstars.com , to stay updated on all the latest developments.
Goaltender Hillier was a first round selection (23rd overall) of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1996. Hillier played his junior hockey with the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League before beginning his pro career in 1998 with the Syracuse Crunch. The 25-year old, 6-1 goalie has played in the AHL and ECHL before backstoping the Geleen Smoke Eaters of Holland's top league last season. Hillier is a native of Cole Harbor, NS, the same hometown of the Stars' UHL Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Malcolm Cameron.
Courtney is another OHL product who had his named called in the NHL draft. The 23-year old six-foot three-inch, 205-pound centerman was an eighth round selection (277 overall) of the Buffalo Sabres in 2000. Courtney spent two-plus years with the Windsor Spitfires and spent time with Missisaugua, Owen Sound and Sudbury in the OHL. Last season the scorer notched 65 points (29 g â 36 a) in 36 games while splitting time between Sudbury and Amherst of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League.
Skaleski is no stranger to Columbus hockey fans. The six-foot three-inch defenseman was a steady blueliner for the Buckeyes' Frozen Four team in 1998-99. Skaleski spent two years with the Richmond Renegades of the ECHL, before playing in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and two games with Port Huron of (more) the UHL last year. Skaleski shares a hometown (Sterling Heights, MI) with Stars equipment manager Jeff Marshall.
The Columbus Stars Hockey Family includes the professional United Hockey League Stars, the Junior B Central States Hockey League Stars and the various age groups (Mite through Midget) of the Columbus Stars Youth Travel Hockey Program. The Columbus Stars Ice Center, located just off of Schrock Road on the north side of Columbus will provide a unified location for practices and games. The Center is scheduled to open in early October. Director of Hockey Operations/UHL Head Coach Malcolm Cameron will provide a unifying structure with player development and the joy of the game at its core.
For more information contact Packy Moran at 614/985-7827 or via e-mail at info@columbusstars.com.
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United Hockey League Stories from September 17, 2003
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