Two Goaltenders Added to Blazers Roster

June 26, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


Oklahoma City, Okla. – The Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League signed goaltenders Boyd Ballard and Sean Connors, the club's front office announced today.

Ballard, a 5-10, 180-pounder from Weyburn, Saskatchewan appeared in a franchise record 47 games for Oklahoma City last season, posting a 29-12-5 record, 2.61 goals against average and .912 saves percentage. Prior to turning pro, he was a four-year starter at Providence College. In his first season at Providence, he was named the Friars' Most Valuable Player and named to the Hockey East All Freshman Team. Before attending college, he played with the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, winning two SJHL postseason titles with that club.

Connors was added to the Blazers playoff roster as an emergency backup and did not see any game action. Following the Blazers' elimination from the playoffs, Connors backstopped the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL to the Royal Bank Cup Canadian Junior "A" Championship in May. The 6-1, 170-pounder from Okotoks, Alberta posted a 4-0-0 record, 2.25 goals against average and .936 saves percentage en route to the Royal Bank Cup championship.

Prior to skating with the Blazers during the playoffs, he completed his junior career with the Kindersley Klippers of the SJHL. He appeared in 49 games, going 27-14-7 with a 2.84 goals against average and .918 saves percentage, earning him voted the Klippers' Most Valuable Player award for the 2002-03 season.

Despite playing for Kindersley during the regular season, Canadian Junior "A" rules, allow the team that won its league championship to claim a goaltender from any other team in that league to play in the regional tournament and Royal Bank Cup. Humboldt won the SJHL championship, making the team eligible to claim Connors, one of the SJHL's top goaltenders during the regular season, from the Kindersley Klippers roster.

"I expect each of the goaltenders to push each other," said Blazers head coach Doug Sauter. "Boyd will build on a solid 2002-03 season and get better this season. He will also serve as a motivating factor for the younger Connors Despite not seeing any game action with the Blazers, I saw a great work ethic both on and off the ice in Connors. He proved to me and the coaching staff that he wanted to be in Oklahoma City and that he can play at this level."

Ballard and Connors join Blair Manning as players signed by the Blazers for the 2003-04 season.



Central Hockey League Stories from June 26, 2003


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