SteelHounds Sign Three Players Prior to Tonight's Home Opener

Published on October 27, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - Youngstown SteelHounds Head Coach Kevin Kaminski announced today that the team has signed three players and that all will be available for the team's home opener on Friday, October 27th versus the Rocky Mountain Rage. Inking one-year deals were forwards Jason Spence and Mark Johnson and goaltender David Currie.

Spence, 27, becomes the third veteran on the SteelHounds roster joining Jeff Christian and Chris Richards. The Windsor, Nova Scotia native has played in 346 career games scoring 32 goals with 40 assists and 961 penalty minutes. The rugged winger had an injury plagued season a year ago dressing in just eight games with Johnstown (ECHL) scoring a goal with an assist. The 6-1, 205-pound forward has played in 78 career American Hockey League games seeing action with Lowell, San Antonio and Saint John. During his time in the upper league, Spence totaled 10 points (6-4=10) with 185 penalty minutes. The eighth-year pro had played 41 career CHL games, all with Laredo, posting 18 points (5-13=18) with 108 penalty minutes.

Johnson, 21, played in the SteelHounds exhibition game on October 13th versus Dayton but had been awaiting immigration approval. He joins the Hounds for his rookie season after playing in the Mid-Western Jr. B League a year ago. The Glencoe, Ontario native scored 27 goals with 26 assists in just 44 games and was a team mate of current SteelHounds defenseman John Neal. The 6-1, 190-pound forward played major junior hockey during the 2004-05 season with Belleville (Ontario Hockey League) scoring four goals with six assists in 63 games.

Currie, 24, brings solid experience to the SteelHounds having played in 93 career ECHL games seeing action with Johnstown, Victoria and Dayton. The Peterborough, Ontario native began the season with the Dayton Bombers but was moved around into the CHL after the Columbus Blue Jackets changed the goalie tandem for the Bombers, the Blue Jackets ECHL affiliate. In his professional career, the 5-10, 175-pound netminder has a record of 35-40-14 with a .901 save percentage and five shutouts. His best season came with Johnstown (2003-04) when he posted a 19-01-3 mark with three shutouts. His junior career was spent with his hometown Peterborough Petes of the OHL where he played in 128 career games posting a 56-49-12 mark with nine shutouts.

"We have added many elements to our team with these three players," said Kaminski. "Jason gives us a legitimate physical presence on the ice and brings so many of the intangibles your looking for in a championship team. Mark is young and hungry and has all the tools to be a real contributor to our club and David comes very highly recommended and has been one of those goaltenders on the radar of several different AHL teams. I feel we have improved our team dramatically with these additions."

The SteelHounds will have their home opener on Friday, October 27th versus Rocky Mountain at the Chevrolet Centre. For ticket information, contact the team at (33) 747-PUCK.

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