SteelHounds Sign Three Rookies for 2006-07 Season

Published on August 17, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Youngstown SteelHounds News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - The Youngstown SteelHounds and General Manager Joe Gregory announced the addition of three rookies to the 2006-07 roster. Signing one year deals with the Hounds are defenseman Josh Reed and forwards Mike McKenna and Nick Thomas.

Reed, 27, was a sixth round selection (172nd overall) of the Vancouver Canucks in the 1999 National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft. Following his selection, the Vernon, British Columbia native went on to play four seasons as a member of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks. The 6-3, 200 pound defender posted nine goals, 30 assists and 94 penalty minutes in 107 games with the River Hawks. Since his time with UMass-Lowell, Reed played briefly in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) with Texas (five games) and also saw action in two games with the Lubbock Cotton Kings (CHL) during the 2003-04 season.

McKenna, 26, is a big forward (6-1, 220 pounds) that played his college hockey at York University, a member of the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) league. At York, McKenna played in 59 games scoring 14 goals with 21 assists. The hard hitting forward participated in eight playoff contests at York finishing with six points. In addition, he was a member of the 2004 team which won the Queens Cup Championship as well as the 2005 team which won the division championship. In the summer of 2004, McKenna joined the Newcastle NorthStars of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) where he posted 19 points in 19 games, adding 14 penalty minutes and finished with an impressive +25 rating.

Thomas, 21, joins the team after a successful year with the Port Hope Predators of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OPJHL). With the Predators, Thomas recorded 14 goals and 38 assists in 33 regular season games. The 6-0, 202 pound forward also appeared in 11 playoff matches, adding one goal and four assists. The Lakefield, Ontario native played one season in major junior (2002-03) dressing in 55 games with Sarnia scoring four goals with six assists and 96 penalty minutes.

The Hounds open camp in October, with the first home contest set for Oct. 27 at 7:05 p.m. For more information please call 330-747-7825 or visit www.steelhounds.com.

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