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SteelHounds Sign Forward Joel Irving for 2007-2008 Season

August 20, 2007 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown SteelHounds of the Central Hockey League announced today that Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Kaminski has signed forward Joel Irving for the 2007-08 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Irving, 31, a nine-year veteran of professional hockey was drafted in the sixth round (#148 overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in 1994. The native of Lumsden, Saskatchewan has seen time in Europe as well as the American Hockey League, International Hockey League, ECHL and one season with the Odessa Jackalopes of the CHL.

The 6-4, 225-pound forward brings a very versatile game to the SteelHounds tallying 171 goals, 231 assists for 402 points to go along with 1068 penalty minutes. After playing four years at Division I Western Michigan, Irving received his first tryout with the AHL's St. John Flames in 1999. Along with St. John, Irving also had two stints with the AHL Rochester Americans.

During his career, Irving spent the better part of seven seasons in the ECHL with stops in Johnstown, South Carolina, Bakersfield and Utah. In his one year in the CHL he accumulated eight goals and 18 assists in 59 games for Odessa during the 2004-2005 season.

In his career he has averaged 19 goals, 22 assists and 113 penalty minutes per season.

"He is the one forward we've been looking for because he brings size, toughness, leadership and scoring. We're looking for Joel to come in here and be a leader." Kaminski confidently went on to say, "Look for him to score 35 plus goals for us this season, he is that good."

Last season Joel Irving split time with the Bakersfield Condors and Utah Grizzlies recording 18 goals and 35 assists along with 122 penalty minutes in 67 games.

Fans will get their first look at Irving as well as all of the new SteelHounds on Friday night, October 12th when the Hounds host the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones in an exhibition game at 7:05. The SteelHounds regular season home opener will be on November 23rd when the Hounds play host to the defending Governor's Cup Champion Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs at 7:05. Season tickets are on sale for as low as $42 per month and are available by calling the Hounds at (330) 747-PUCK.

Joel Irving 6'4" 225Lb. Lumsden, SASK. Forward

DOB (age): 1/2/76 (31)

SHOOTS: Right

YEARS PRO/HOUND: 10th/1st

Regular Season Playoffs

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM

1994-95 Western Michigan University NCAA 30 2 3 5 20 - - - - -

1995-96 Western Michigan University NCAA 39 7 6 13 58 - - - - -

1996-97 Western Michigan University NCAA 34 8 11 19 62 - - - - -

1997-98 Western Michigan University NCAA 36 8 10 18 82 - - - - -

1998-99 Saint John Flames AHL 5 0 0 0 2 - - - - -

1998-99 Johnstown Chiefs ECHL 65 26 20 46 112 - - - - -

1999-00 Johnstown Chiefs ECHL 61 25 26 51 152 7 2 2 4 20

1999-00 Saint John Flames AHL 7 1 2 3 5 - - - - -

1999-00 Orlando Solar Bears IHL 2 0 0 0 2 - - - - -

2000-01 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 68 20 24 44 203 18 5 7 12 36

2000-01 Rochester Americans AHL 1 0 0 0 10 - - - - -

2001-02 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 60 18 28 46 140 1 0 0 0 0

2001-02 Rochester Americans AHL 17 0 0 0 12 - - - - -

2002-03 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 57 17 23 40 105 4 3 2 5 14

2003-04 Sheffield Steelers EIHL 49 23 26 49 50 6 1 3 4 10

2004-05 Odessa Jackalopes CHL 59 8 18 26 65 - - - - -

2005-06 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 10 1 4 5 6 - - - - -

2005-06 Bakersfield Condors ECHL 54 14 25 39 82 12 1 3 4 46

2006-07 Bakersfield Condors ECHL 29 7 18 25 62 - - - - -

2006-07 Utah Grizzlies ECHL 38 11 17 28 60 - - - - -

2007-08 Youngstown SteelHounds CHL 0 0 0 0 0 - - - - -

career summary

Youngstown SteelHounds 0 0 0 0 0 - - - - -

CHL 59 8 18 26 65 - - - - -

Professional 582 171 231 402 1068 48 12 17 29 126

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