Sundogs Receive Five Players Via Affiliation

October 3, 2006 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Arizona Sundogs News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Arizona Sundogs Professional Hockey Club, slated to begin its first-ever training camp in just five days, has been assigned five players from the Colorado Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats.

Goalie Kris Mayotte and forwards Brent Kelly, Torrie Wheat, Cory Stillman, and Chris Greene comprise the players sent to the Sundogs from the Albany River Rats. The addition of the five players sent from Albany brings the Sundogs training camp roster to 17. As players are added, additional announcements will be made in the coming days.

Mayotte, 23, spent four years at Union College before making his pro debut with the now defunct San Diego Gulls, formerly of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). After four appearances with the Gulls, Mayotte appeared in one game with the American Hockey League's (AHL) Lowell Lock Monsters. In his four years at Union, Mayotte accumulated 46 wins and 13 shutouts. He completed his senior season being named team MVP, setting school records for wins (16) and shutouts (5) in a single season.

"Kris put up respectable numbers during his college career and in return has limited but valuable pro experience, both at the double-A and triple-A level," said Sundogs Head Coach/GM Marco Pietroniro. "We now have two goaltenders, both of whom we feel comfortable with backstopping our team."

Forward Brent Kelly, comes to the Sundogs organization having played 167 games at the AHL level. Most recently, the 24-year-old appeared in 74 games with the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms, notching 16 goals, 23 assists and 39 penalty minutes.

Said Pietroniro: "Brent has not only played at the AHL level, but has consistently produced offensive numbers that we are going to look for to help our team. We're excited to add an offensive talent in Brent to our Club."

Rookie forward Torrie Wheat has spent the past five seasons in Canada playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL). In 2005-06, the British Columbia native tallied 17 goals, 41 assists and 62 penalty minutes in 58 regular and post season contests.

"Torrie fits well into the Arizona Sundogs' philosophy in that he is young and wants to advance his on-ice career," said Pietroniro. "He has spent some time in the junior ranks and we feel he is ready to make the transition to professional hockey."

Cory Stillman, 23, comes to the Sundogs after a productive 2005-06 season with the Fort Worth Brahmas. In 64 games with his former CHL club, the centerman totaled 59 points (29g/30a) and 79 penalty minutes. Prior to last season, Stillman competed in the ECHL with Pensacola.

"Cory is another young player that we are excited to have on our roster," added Pietroniro. "Provided with the guidance from our veterans, we expect our core of young players to excel, and Cory fits into this model."

Forward Chris Greene spent the majority of the 2005-06 season with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) before turning pro with Reading (ECHL). In nine games with the ECHL club, the native of Mesina, New York totaled four assists and four penalty minutes. In 135 junior contests over two seasons, Greene accumulated 21 goals, 51 assists and 327 penalty minutes.

"Chris is a young player with the potential to go far," noted Pietroniro. "He spent nine games last season at the double-A level and seemed to adjust well. We're confident he will continue this trend with us in 2006-07."



Central Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2006


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