Van Drunen lands new Fury deal
Published on June 29, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- Last week, the United Hockey League's all-time top winning team, the Muskegon Fury, addressed offense when announcing the return of All-Star center Todd Robinson. This week, the Muskegon club broached the task of building its defense by achieving another positive stride forward with the signing of another major marquee mainstay who has been so integral and instrumental in the franchise remarkably extraordinary success.
On this date, the Fury Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman, in collaboration with Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson, have announced that top-drawer, ace defenseman DAVE VAN DRUNEN has agreed to terms and signed a new contract with Muskegon for the 2006-07 season. Adhering to club policy, terms of the pact were not disclosed.
VAN DRUNEN, 29, will be approaching his 10th pro season overall, his fourth in the UHL and his third campaign of exemplary duty on the Fury blue line. For the second consecutive year under the employ of the Fury, the Sherwood Park, Alberta native enjoyed an absolutely brilliant season in spearheading the Fury back line, emerging, once again, as one of the top, premiere all-star defensemen in the UHL. Recognized as one of the foremost defensive stalwarts in the league, Van Drunen has infused much influence, experience and expertise into the Fury lineup stemming from the manifold of outstanding years in which he had performed his craft in both the AHL and the IHL.
In the 2005-06 season, the 6-0, 208lb right-hand shooting bulwark enjoyed his best offensive season ever as a pro; his second full season festooned in the Fury ensemble. In 75-games, he authored 31-points as the Fury's second top-scoring defenseman, essaying 7-goals and career-best 24-assists while amassing 195-PIM. Included in his overall regular season numbers were 1-PPG, 1-UG and 1-multiple goal game. For a second consecutive season, he captured two top Fury team awards; namely the Discovery Ford / Best Defenseman Award and the Fury Best Plus Player Award. For the latter, Van Drunen, for a second straight season, posted a stellar +37 rating which also ranked a lofty fifth best in the UHL among all league defensemen. Always playing the game with grit and gusto, the veteran mainstay's 195-PIM also tied for fifth among the circuit's blue line brigade while his 60-minor penalties were third most in the same category.
The Fury's recognized leader of their blue line crew continued his superb play in the post-season as he saw service in all 12 of his team's playoffs' appearances, producing an output of 12(0-4-4) with 8-PIM and +2 rating.
Coach Nelson understands the impact and import of having his consummate workhorse returning to spearhead his team's defensive corps. "We have begun the process of building our team with the signings last week of one of the premiere offensive talents in the league in Todd Robinson and today with the announcement of one of the top defense-men in Dave Van Drunen. 'Vandy' has been the real staple of our defense in his first two years with us. He brings our team outstanding qualities as experience, grit, skill and strong leadership. With him patrolling our blue line the past two years, we, as a team, have realized a lot of great success. He is the definition of a solid team player who has outstanding character and one who always casts a positive influence on our organization as a whole. We are looking forward to another premiere season from Dave."
As for the Fury two-time All-Star, he is enthused about his third season on the Muskegon blue line. "I'm looking forward to my third year in Muskegon. In the new season, we want to rebound from last season's somewhat disappointing finish. It certainly should provide us with excellent motivation. We are fortunate to have a great coach who has demonstrated that he has a lot of faith in me and I really appreciate that. My family and I are looking ahead to being a part of a really strong organization and seeing all of the great Fury fans with the coming of the new season."
Van Drunen's initial season with the Fury was one for the family album as he helped guide Muskegon to UHL record-breaking, history-making Colonial Cup IV in 2004-05. The rock-ribbed rearguard rampart was the utter master of his defensive domain. As far as the numbers were concerned, in 76-games, he tied for second overall in the Fury team scoring derby among defensemen with 21-points on 2-goals, 19-assists with 130-PIM. He also carded another brilliant +37 rating which ranked a sterling circuit second in the league and number one for his Fury team. The total and complete package on the last line defense, Van Drunen's first season was celebrated on the Fury's annual Awards Night when he laid claim to three major honors; the Fury Team Co-MVP, the Best Defenseman Award and the Best Plus/Minus Award. Moreover, he represented the '04-05 Central Division, Tarry Cup and Colonial Cup Champions at the UHL's annual All-Star Classic in Adirondack.
During the Fury's inexorable ascent to Colonial Cup IV's coronation in May 2005, Van Drunen, again, was his team's "Rock of Gibraltar" on the back line. In earning his first-ever pro title, he was 17(0-3-3) with 28-PIM and a healthy +12 rating with the latter ranking second best on the club and, once again, second best in the entire UHL.
With "Vandy" on patrol in front of the Fury goal, Muskegon, for second year in a row, was the top-ranked defensive squad in the league, surrendering a league-low 195-GA in 80-games for a GAA of a miserly, minuscule 2.44.
In the previous five years prior to his Fury advent, Van Drunen was the epitome of a steady, stable standout on the defense of the Grand Rapids Griffins, helping lead them to four consecutive division titles from 1999-00 to 2002-03. The Van Drunen dossier defines durability as in his final two years in Grand Rapids he carded considerable playing minutes in all 80-games. In the 2002-03 season, he sparked the Griffins to both the AHL Central Division and Western Conference crowns with 80(3-10-13) 106-PIM and a supreme +31 rating with the latter total tying him for second best in the entire AHL. In 2000-01, still with the "Grifs," he authored a masterful +25 rating which ranked a lofty third among all IHL defensemen.
Muskegon's All-Star defenseman also has seen time in the NHL, having made his "big time" debut with the Ottawa Senators back on December 13, 1999. Previous to his five solid seasons in Grand Rapids, Van Drunen was an ECHL All-Star in his rookie pro campaign of 1997-98 with the Baton Rouge Kingfish 59(8-22-30) 107-PIM, leading the since defunct Louisiana-based club in all scoring departments among rearguards. He was never a stranger to the UHL warfare, having played 63-games for the Saginaw Gears in 1998-99; 63(5-17-22) 126-PIM.
His Major Junior 'A' career was a stellar one with Coach Nelson's same junior squadron, the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL. Van Drunen starred for four seasons culminated in 1996-97 when in 72-games, he engineered 65-points on 18-goals, 47-assists, along with 216-PIM. In that season, he led the Raiders in assists and finished second overall in team scoring.
Van Drunen's Fury career numbers read: 151(9-43-52) with 325-PIM and +74 rating. His playoff totals are: 29(0-7-7) 36-PIM and +14 rating. For his complete pro career: 640(37-146-183) 1,082-PIM.
Today's signing of defenseman DAVE VAN DRUNEN represents the Fury's second player signing for the 2006-07 season. Previously, the Muskegon announced the signing of their second all-time leading scorer center TODD ROBINSON.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from June 29, 2006
- UHL to host charity golf tournament - IHL 2
- Blade's Busy Holiday Schedule - Elmira Jackals
- Van Drunen lands new Fury deal - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Mallards Add Muscle as Carlyle Lewis Signs - Quad City Mallards
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