Two former fan favorites join Gulls
February 21, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
SAN DIEGO - The trip down memory lane continues for the San Diego Gulls, as former fan-favorites Taj Melson and Chad Wagner agreed to terms Tuesday. Both are expected to be in the lineup for San Diego's three-games this week.
Melson, who's in his first year at medical school at the University of Michigan, is third in franchise history among San Diego defensemen with 161 points (51g, 110a) and is fourth overall all-time in plus-minus rating (+161).
The 31-year-old from Plymouth, Minn. has played parts of seven seasons with the Gulls, six of which were in the West Coast Hockey League. His last professional action came in 2003-04 for San Diego when he filled in for three games. Melson was a member of three WCHL championship teams with the Gulls (1996-97, 1997-98 and 2000-01). He was named WCHL Playoff MVP in 2001 after leading all defensemen with 17 points.
Wagner re-joins his old squad for the first time since 2000-01. The 6-foot-5-inch, 225-pound native of Calgary Alberta is San Diego's all-time leader with 1,969 penalty minutes. Wagner spent five seasons with the WCHL Gulls, leading the club in penalty minutes four of those seasons.
The 31-year-old right-winger established a WCHL single-season record with 521 penalty minutes in 1998-99 and also racked up 503 minutes in 1996-97. Wagner was a member of three Gulls championships (1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98). He last played professionally in 2004-05 with the United Hockey League's Danbury Trashers, where he recorded 75 penalty minutes in just three games.
Melson and Wagner are the third and fourth former Gulls to help fill in for San Diego's injury-depleted roster. R.J. Enga (played with Gulls in 2002-03) and Sebastien Fortier (played with Gulls in 1999-00) have also skated this season.
These two player acquisitions are all part of the Gulls' "King-Sized Week," which features Saturday's big home game against the Utah Grizzlies and another SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT to be released soon.
But before the Gulls can think about Saturday, they have two other games to worry about. Wednesday they'll host the red-hot Utah Grizzlies at 7:05 p.m. and Friday they'll visit the Phoenix Roadrunners for a 6:11 p.m. (PST) contest.
Saturday will be the inaugural "Pink in the Rink" night, benefiting the Mary Kay Ash Foundation. Caltrans and Verizon Yellow Pages will help bring you the special night, which also features the ever-popular long-sleeved T-shirt giveaway for the first 8,000 fans.
The Gulls will be sporting special pink Mary Kay Ash jerseys for the game, which is also against Utah and begins at 7:05 p.m. These jerseys will be auctioned LIVE immediately following the game in sections 12, 13 and 14 of the ipayOne Center. Michael Anstead of Ansteads Auctions will be the auctioneer for the night.
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