SteelHounds sign first player in franchise history

Published on June 30, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO -Youngstown SteelHounds Head Coach, Jean Laforest, announced today that the team has signed defenseman Kris Mallette making him officially the first player in franchise history.

"We are very pleased to have Kris Mallette as part of our hockey organization," said Laforest. "He represents the type of player we want wearing the SteelHound jersey. He is a person of strong character and an athlete who demonstrates a desire to win each game through his work ethic. He understands what must be done both on and off the ice in order to succeed and we are looking to him to help direct and guide our team towards success."

Mallette, 26, was the first player linked to the SteelHounds back on June 4th when he was selected by the team with the first pick in the Central Hockey League (CHL) expansion draft. Last season, the Kelowna, British Columbia native was a part of the CHL Ray Miron Cup champion Colorado Eagles playing in all 16 playoff games recording 54 penalty minutes. In the regular season, Mallette scored two goals with eight assists and had a team leading 193 penalty minutes.

The 6-4, 230-pound defenseman was originally drafted in the third round (62nd overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1997 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He has played 299 professional games scoring a total of eight goals with 31 assists and 1322 penalty minutes (an average of 264.4/season).

Mallette's previous professional stops include Elmira and Asheville of the United Hockey League and Baton Rouge and Louisiana of the ECHL. His junior days were split between Moose Jaw and Kelowna of the Western Hockey League.

The SteelHounds begin play this fall in the new Youngstown Convocation Center. For more information please contact the team's media relations department at (330) 747-PUCK (7825).

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