Twin Towers To Attend Training Camp

Published on August 27, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


Oklahoma City, Okla. - The Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League signed rookies Cale Thurston and Josh Gribben, head coach Doug Sauter announced today.

Thurston, a 6-4, 245-pound left-winger from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta skated the last two seasons in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League, splitting time between the Penticton Panthers and Powell River Kings. In 115 games over the last two campaigns, he has picked up 59 points (18-41-59) while serving 251 penalty minutes.

A versatile player, the 6-5, 215 pound Gribben played defense and forward for the Thunder Bay Wolves in the Superior International Junior Hockey League. In 91 games over the last three seasons with the Wolves, he picked up 102 points (41-61-102) while serving 207 penalty minutes. Gribben served as assistant captain and led the team in points in his final two campaigns in Thunder Bay.

"These players come to us highly recommended by coaches and fellow players," said Sauter. "Thurston was the best all around player at a professional tryout camp in Edmonton that was scouted by teammate Blair Manning. Gribben is coming to our camp on the recommendation of one of my former teammates Dave Simpson. Coach Simpson thinks that Josh Gribben has the potential to become a power forward in this league."

The signing of these rookies brings the number of Blazers signed for the 2002-03 season to 20. They join Ryan Rome, Derek Stone, Jason Fricker, Peter Arvanitis, Peter Robertson, Ryan Campbell, Jared Dumba, Tyler Fleck, Dave Shields, rookies Kane Ludwar, Marc Suderman, Ryan Howdle, Cory Unser, Keith Sedgwick and Boyd Ballard and CHL All-Stars Marty Standish, Blair Manning and Jonathan Dubois on the Blazers preseason roster.

The Blazers begin training camp on Monday, October 7 at the Blazers Ice Centre, with the season opener slated for October 18 against the Austin Ice Bats. Season tickets are currently on sale. For more information, call 235-PUCK (7825).

NOTE: Blazers head coach Doug Sauter is in Canada this week being a "Hockey Dad." Sauter's oldest son Fritz has been invited to participate in the training camp of the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Kindersly Klippers.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from August 27, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central