Stars Sign Bootland to Two-Way Deal with Cleveland Barons
September 23, 2003 - United Hockey League (UHL)
Columbus Stars News Release
Left wing reunites with coach, linemates from last year's Cincinnati Cyclones; Becomes first Star under contract in the American Hockey League
COLUMBUS, OH â The Columbus Stars are beginning to actualize its mission of player development. Nick Bootland signed a two-way contract with the AHL's Cleveland Barons and the Columbus Stars announced Stars General Manager Robb W. King and UHL Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Malcolm Cameron today.
Bootland is a five-year pro and captained Coach Cameron's Cincinnati Cyclones squad last season that advanced to game seven of the Northern Conference Finals in the East Coast Hockey League. The six-foot two-inch forward led the team in playoff scoring registering 17 points (10 g â 7 a) in 15 games. He will rejoin his linemates from last year, Matt Noga and Evan Cheverie, in Columbus.
"I am excited to be joining Noga and Cheverie again this year," Bootland said. "Coach Cameron gave me the opportunity to do some things off the ice last year and I am looking forward to having those responsibilities again."
Selected by the Dallas Stars in the ninth round (220th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft Bootland played junior hockey for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. The Etobicoke, ON native started his professional career with the Hershey Bears of the AHL in 1998.
After three seasons and two solid postseasons in Central Pennsylvania, Bootland found his scoring touch with the Cyclones. Splitting time between Cincinnati and AHL call-ups in Cleveland and Hershey, Bootland scored 116 points (54 g â 62 a) in 132 games over the past two years in the ECHL.
The signing not only brings another quality player and person into the Stars family, it shows the Stars organization is finding its role in the professional hockey universe.
"Nick's signing shows the good relationship we are building with Cleveland," said Cameron. "I am very excited about having a player of Nick's quality assigned to us. He was a tremendous leader for me last year, and we can expect more of the same this year."
Bootland brings the total to 16 players signed for the Stars inaugural season. Forwards Evan Cheverie, Paul Dunphy, Lee Jelenic, B.J. Kilbourne, Scott Levins, Matt Medvecz, Eric Naud, Matt Noga and Chris Taliercio join defensemen Ryan Coole, Derek Ernest, Jasmin Gelinas, Chad McIver and Steve Rodberg as the Stars' skaters. Columbus has signed two netminders, Greg Hewitt and Ryan Aschaber.
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.
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- Stars Sign Bootland to Two-Way Deal with Cleveland Barons - Columbus Stars
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