Two AHL defensemen expected to open season with Rockford
Published on October 12, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- Rockford IceHogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson announced the United Hockey League team's roster for the upcoming 2006-07 season. Martinson also announced that veteran defenseman Tim Wedderburn has been assigned to the IceHogs on a conditioning assignment from the Chicago Wolves (AHL), and veteran blueliner Nathan Lutz will be added to the roster on Friday.
Both Lutz and Wedderburn will make their return to Rockford after spending the better part of the last two seasons in the American Hockey League. Lutz appeared in eight games with the IceHogs last season and played in a career-high 69 AHL games with Milwaukee Admirals. Wedderburn last appeared with the IceHogs during the 2004-05, suiting up and playing in 10 games with Rockford before signing with the Chicago Wolves.
"Even with the additions of Lutz and Wedderburn, we still may be the youngest team in the league," said Martinson. "Two-thirds of our roster consists of first and second year players.
"Everybody knows what we are getting with Nathan," said Martinson. "He is a First Team UHL All-Star."
Lutz was named the IceHogs Top Defenseman twice (in 2003-04 and 2004-05) and was the first IceHogs d-man to be named to the UHL First Team All-Star squad when he earned the honor following the '04-05 campaign. Last season with the Admirals, Lutz accumulated 2g-4a-6pts and appeared in 12 postseason games during Milwaukee's Calder Cup Finals run.
Wedderburn spent the entire '05-06 season with the Wolves, appearing in a career high 73 contests in Chicago. After signing with the Wolves in '04-05, Wedderburn played in 65 affairs, plus 18 playoff games with the AHL club.
"What a big boast on opening weekend to get one the of the AHL's top defensive defenseman," said Martinson. "We want to take advantage of Tim's experience to help out our young defense."
As for the rest of the IceHogs roster, Dan Boeser, Jarad Bourassa, Luke Fritshaw, Matt Gens, Mike Letizia and Tom Zabkowicz will fill out the rest of the defense. The front line for the Hogs will feature Jesse Bennefield, Robin Big Snake, Nicolas Corbeil, Mike Doyle, Chaz Johnson, Erick Lizon, Kevin Ulanski, Bruce Watson and Steve Yetman. Frederic Cloutier and Brenden Cuthbert will occupy the goaltender position.
Players beginning the season on the Injured Reserve include forwards Kaleb Betts (7-Day), Bryce Cockburn (21-Day), Preston Mizzi (14-Day) and Rob Voltera (10-Day). Forwards Francis Belanger and Jason Ralph were also placed on 45-Day Non Roster spots. The only late training camp release was defenseman Lee Jacobson.
Next Home Game: Individual game tickets are now on sale! Fans can call (815) 968-5222 or stop down at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office starting at 10 a.m. to purchase tickets for the upcoming 2006-07 season. Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. against the Fort Wayne Komets. The first 5,000 fans to the game
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