Top defenseman returns to Rockford
August 2, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- Rockford IceHogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson announced Monday that the United Hockey League club has signed defenseman Nathan Lutz for the 2004-05 season. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The Lutz addition makes him the first defenseman signed for the IceHogs sixth season and also marks the first player from the 2003-04 team to resign with the Hogs. The 6-2 blue-liner was a member of the Calder Cup Champion Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) squad as well last season, suiting up for the Admirals for 15 games. The Portland Pirates (AHL) are the third team on Lutz's resume from his second full professional season, as he played in nine games with the Washington Capitals top farm club.
"The San Diego program was built on call-ups with several International Hockey League teams near by and Rockford is in a very similar situation with all of the American Hockey League teams in close proximity," said Martinson. "Quality players were attracted to us because the guys were able to be loaned to the IHL teams.
"Lutz is the type of player that we are going to get because we are committed to loaning players to the AHL. That's what we are going to do in Rockford and we will become an organization that is known as a place where young players get an opportunity to play in the AHL with several AHL teams near by We will become an organization that young players want to play for."
Despite playing in just 35 games with the IceHogs last season, Lutz captured the team's Top Defenseman honors and established himself as one of the top d-men in the UHL. Lutz racked up 6g-12a-18pts for the IceHogs and had a team best plus/minus rating of +6.
Throughout the course of the 03-04 season, Lutz was called-up a total of four times between Milwaukee and Portland after beginning the season with the Admirals. During Lutz's rookie campaign during the 2002-03 season, the defenseman also appeared in 11 games with the Cleveland Barons (AHL) netting 1g-3a-4pts.
With Lutz, the IceHogs have four players under contract for the fast approaching season including three forwards and one defenseman. Also inked for 04-05 include forwards J.F. Dufour, Terry Harrison and Bruce Watson.
Season Tickets Available: Season tickets for the 2004-05 season are now on sale. Ticket packages start at just $98 and there are great seats available. Be a part of the action all season long! For more information call (815) 986-6465 and ask to speak with a season ticket representative.
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from August 2, 2004
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