Tarantulas sign Hanchuck
September 28, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Topeka Tarantulas News Release
[TOPEKA, KS.] - The Topeka Tarantulas of the Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that the club has signed defenseman Tyler Hanchuck.
Hanchuck, a 6'3" 210 pound defenseman, from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario has split the last two seasons with the Adirondack IceHawks of the United Hockey League (UHL), the Syracuse Crunch and Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL), and the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In those two seasons, Hanchuck tallied 16 points, and 187 penalty minutes in 82 games played.
"Our goal all summer was to build from the net out. We also wanted to sign four solid defenseman. With the signing of Hanchuck, this solidifies our top four along with [Peter] Robertson, [Frederick] Jobin, and [Andy] Fermoyle. He is the final piece to our defensive core." Head Coach Joe Coombs continued on what the fans in Topeka can expect from Hanchuck, "Tyler will provide size, toughness, and grit to our backend. He is looking to develop into a solid all-around defenseman and has one year experience at the AHL level."
Hanchuck has spent most of his career in the Ontario Hockey League with the Brampton Battalion (1998/99-2000/01), the Barrie Colts (2000/01-2001/02), and the Sarnia Sting (2002/03). In 294 games played with the three teams, Hanchuck had 53 points and 545 penalty minutes.
Hanchuck was selected by the Montreal Canadiens (round 3, 79 overall) in the 2000 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.
Before coming to Topeka, Hanchuck will be skating in the Milwaukee Admirals training camp of the American Hockey League. Milwaukee is an affiliate of the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators. Player/Assistant Coach Troy Mann commented on Hanchuck going to the AHL camp, "This will be an important step in Tyler's continued development as a hockey player."
Season tickets, group tickets, and mini-plans for the 2004-2005 season are now available. Contact the Tarantulas office at (785) 235-9466 for more information.
Central Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2004
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- Tarantulas sign Hanchuck - Topeka Tarantulas
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