Sundogs Add Three, Grow Roster To 17
Published on September 12, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The 2008 Central Hockey League Ray Miron President's Cup Champion Arizona Sundogs announced today they have re-signed defenseman Jon Landry, forward Mark Kolanos and former Sundogs forward Cory Stillman for the upcoming 2008-09 season.
In 101 regular season games over two seasons with the Sundogs, Landry has registered 56 points (16g/40a) and 111 penalty minutes (PIM) and is a plus-24. In 31 playoff contests, the Montreal, Quebec, native has added nine points (3g/6a) and 18 PIM. During the 2007-08 campaign, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound defenseman collected career-highs in goals (9), assists (33), points (42) and PIM (70) and was a career-best plus-21. The 25-year-old Landry tallied 10 multiple-point outings last season.
"Jon is one of just three players that has played for our club since our inaugural season in 2006-07," said Sundogs Head Coach and General Manager Marco Pietroniro. "He has proved to be a valuable asset, successfully playing both sides of the ice whenever asked to do so. Jon finished as one of our top point-producing defenseman last season and we're going to look to him to continue to do so in 2008-09."
Mark Kolanos, 23, returns to the Sundogs for a second season after averaging nearly a point-per-game during the 2007-08 campaign, his season as a professional. In 64 regular season contests, the Calgary, Alberta, native notched 62 points (31g/31a) and 64 PIM to finish second among CHL rookies in scoring. The 6-foot-1, 186-pound forward ranked second in goals and third in points for the Sundogs in 2007-08, was named to the 2007-08 CHL All-Rookie Team and was a finalist for CHL Rookie of the Year. Kolanos continued to find his way onto the score sheet during the 2008 playoffs, helping his Club to the President's Cup title with 14 points (6g/8a) in 17 games, including a hat trick in a 5-2 win over Colorado in Game 3 of the President's Cup Finals.
"Mark was one of the league's top rookies last season, averaging nearly a point-per-game during both the regular season and playoffs," said Pietroniro. "He had numerous multiple-point performances with some of his points coming at game-changing moments. He finished as one of our top scorers last year and we're looking for him to build upon that success this season. We're excited to re-sign him for the 2008-09 campaign."
Cory Stillman first played for the Sundogs organization during the Club's inaugural season in 2006-07 and finished second in scoring with a career-high 75 points in 57 contests. He also achieved career-bests in goals (32) and assists (43) while with Arizona. The Lindsay, Ontario, native collected the first hat trick in Sundogs franchise history in a 7-5 win over the Amarillo Gorillas on February 14, 2007. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound center registered 22 multiple-point outings in 2006-07, including eight games with three or more points. In 14 playoff contests in 2007, he tallied 22 points (7g/15a) and 10 PIM, helping the Sundogs to Game 7 of the Southern Conference Semifinals.
Last season, the 25-year-old Stillman skated overseas in Germany with Ravensburg EV (2.GBun), notching 20 goals, 26 assists and 82 PIM.
"Cory's size and offensive talent are traits that any coach would love to have on his roster," added Pietroniro. "He finished as one of our top point-getters while with our Club in 2006-07 and his offensive style of play will once again work well with our system. I'm sure our fans will share the same anticipation we have in seeing Cory back in a Sundogs sweater this season."
With the addition of Landry, Kolanos and Stillman, the Sundogs now have 17 players under contract for the 2008-09 season including Chris Bartolone, Karl Sellan, Jason Visser, Kyle Hood, Tyler Liebel, Rob Lehtinen, Matt Suderman, Peter Cartwright, Josh Coyle, Joel Irving, Andre Selander, Marco Emond, Adam Wood and Chip Dunleavy.
The Sundogs are set to open the regular season at home at Tim's Toyota Center on Friday, Oct. 17 against Southwest Division foe the Odessa Jackalopes. Game time is set for 7:05pm (Arizona time). Affordable season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased for as low as $29 per month by calling the Arizona Sundogs offices at (928) 772-5555.
Arizona will also host the Wichita Thunder for two preseason contests at Tim's Toyota Center on Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11. Tickets for both games are on sale now and cost $13 regardless of location inside Tim's Toyota Center. They are available by phone at 1-866-4-GET-TIX (1-866-443-8849), on the internet at www.gettix.net or in person at the Tim's Toyota Center Box Office. Both games are slated for 7:05pm start times.
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