Two young defensemen signed by Fury
Published on July 27, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- Through their initial 14-years of operations, the Muskegon Fury franchise has attained the best-ever winning mark in all of minor professional hockey as well as becoming the all-time top winning team in United Hockey League annals. In this summer off-season of 2006, the agenda for this tradition-steeped organization is to reclaim championship status and return to the top of the circuit's supreme and sovereign summit of superiority. The Fury are continuing to subscribe to those ideals with their latest round of player signings aimed, once again, at stocking and strengthening their back line blue line for the upcoming 2006-07 season.
On this date, the Fury Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman, in collaboration with Director of Hockey Opera-tions / Head Coach Todd Nelson have announced the signings of two promising defensemen who are expected to inject much youth, energy and excitement in the Muskegon lineup. Today, the Fury have announced that they have come to terms with and signed JOE POMARANSKI and JOSH CHASE to one-year contracts for the 2006-07 cam-paign. Adhering to club policy, terms of the respective contracts were not disclosed.
POMARANSKI, 23, will be commencing his second full pro season with the Fury, though he still will retain his rookie status since he saw service in only 40-games in the 2005-06 UHL season in Muskegon. Last season, the 6-1, 200lb right-hand shooting rearguard blossomed into one of the Fury's true, pleasant surprises in making the transition from the collegiate to the professional ranks following a sound and solid four-year career at Miami of Ohio University of the prestigious CCHA conference. In 40-games with the Fury, the American-bred from nearby Plymouth, MI essayed 5-points on 3-goals, 2-assists with 29-PIM and an excellent +16 rating.
His value to the Fury became more evident and eminent as his first pro season unfolded with his ability to play a steady game on the blue line as well as stepping in at the forward position where he further demonstrated that dimension of his versatility by playing both left wing and right wing. Each of his 3-goals was of the key, clutch variety with two of those being of the late-in-the-game game-tying genre with the third listed in the all-important tie-breaking goal category. Making his debut in pro post-season action during the 2006 Colonial Cup playoffs, Pomaranski, again, showed his precocious on-ice persona. Continuing to fill the vital utility role, he was 12(0-1-1) with 2-PIM in the playoffs. Limited to 40-regular season games due to injuries, Pomaranski is still considered an UHL rookie, having played 60 or fewer games in his initial endeavor into the pro arena.
Coach Nelson has gained a considerable appreciation for Pomaranski and the attributes which he lends to his Fury team. "Joe is a unique player in that he provides excellent versatility for us at both the defense and forward positions. Last season, we felt that he was really starting to come into his own until he suffered a broken thumb. However, through the valuable experience that he gained last season, he has become a very solid player. Joe possesses those intangibles that are so important in winning. He has strong character, is an outstanding team man and one of our real good guys in our dressing room. We are happy to have him back with us."
As for the Fury's second signee for the defense, CHASE, 24, will be undertaking his initial full campaign in the professional ranks following a brief debut in the UHL post-season as a member of the now-defunct Danbury Trashers. In fact, the product of nearby Big Rapids, MI saw his first-ever pro activity in the 2006 Colonial Cup playoffs semi-finals against the Fury in a series ultimately captured by his Connecticut-based contingent 4 games to 2. The left-hand shooting talented defenseman performed in two of the games in that series after originally being signed right off the campus of Division I Bentley College of the Atlantic Hockey Conference.
At Bentley, Chase enjoyed a stellar four-year career culminated in the 2005-06 season when, as team captain, he emerged as his school's premiere point-producing defenseman with 15-points in 37-games on 2-goals, 13-assists with 42-PIM and 1-PPG. In that same senior season, the diminutive yet dynamic 5-8, 170lb "d-man" achieved a veritable litany of honors and accolades. Among his manifold of commendations were his selection to the All-Atlantic Hockey Second Team as well as his fourth consecutive selection to the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team. Moreover, Chase garnered such coveted awards as "Most Respected Player Award" as well as the most exulted honor of them all; being named the Bentley College Male Athlete of the Year for 2005-06.
Having seen Chase in action as a member of the opposition during last spring's playoffs, Coach Nelson liked what he saw. "This year, there is a much greater importance being placed on signing good rookies to the roster. In Josh, the experience he gained in the playoffs with Danbury should serve him especially well and that should work as a benefit for our club. When he did play against us in the playoffs, he showed to be a quick skater with good moves. What he lacks in size he will undoubtedly make up for with his desire, drive and determination; all great assets to have. We believe that Josh has the ability to contribute to our success in the upcoming season."
Chase's four-year career numbers at Bentley are: 129-games; 9-goals, 36-assists, 45-points and 143-PIM.
Prior to his collegiate career, Chase starred for two seasons in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) with the Soo Thunderbirds Jr. A team where in the 2001-02 season he led all league defensemen in scoring by averaging over a point a game with 47-points in 42-games on 11-goals, 36-assists with 52-PIM. He was named to the All-NOJHL Second Team and participated on the league All-Star Team which clashed against the BCHL All-Stars. He still holds the all-time career record for goals by a defenseman in that Junior 'A' circuit.
Today's signing of defensemen JOE POMARANSKI and JOSH CHASE brings to seven the number of players signed by the Fury for the 2006-07 UHL season. Previously, the Muskegon announced the signings of defensemen PHILIPPE PLANTE and DAVE VAN DRUNEN; centers BILLY COLLINS and TODD ROBINSON; right wing ROBIN BOUCHARD.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from July 27, 2006
- Rights to Lupandin and MacDonald Acquired from Elmira - Quad City Mallards
- Jackals Trade For Rights of Frank Littlejohn - Elmira Jackals
- Two young defensemen signed by Fury - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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.
