Van Volsen returning to Brahmas
Published on August 14, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
Fort Worth- The Ft. Worth Brahmas added a proven veteran talent to their 2002-2003 roster on Wednesday morning with the signing of center Joe Van Volsen to a contract for the upcoming CHL season.
Van Volsen will return to the Brahmas after establishing himself as one of the top all around players in the CHL during the 2001-2002 season. In 62 regular season games last year, Van Volsen was clearly the Brahmas offensive leader. He led Ft. Worth in points (70), assists (47), and shorthanded goals (3). He was second on the team in goals with 23, and his +8 rating was third on the squad. Overall, he was 13th in the CHL points scored.
Van Volsen will be entering his fifth full professional season with the Brahmas this October. He originally turned pro in the spring of 1998 with the Austin Ice Bats. In 29 games played that season with the Ice Bats, Van Volsen had 10 goals and 7 assists. He was rewarded for his impressive showing with a one game call up to the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League in March of 1998.
In 1998-1999, his first full year as a pro, Van Volsen played a key role in the inaugural season for the Tupelo T-Rex of the WPHL, scoring 23 goals and adding 39 helpers in 65 games played.
He split the 1999-2000 season between Tupelo and the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL), totaling 17 goals and 27 assists in 27 games with Tupelo and 21 games with South Carolina.
Van Volsen posted a career high 71 points in the 2000-2001 season as he returned to Tupelo. Playing all 70 regular season games for the T-Rex, Van Volsen scored 25 goals and assisted on 46 more. He was the third leading scorer on the team, and played an instrumental part in leading Tupelo to the WPHL's Governor's Cup trophy as the league's regular season champion.
Prior to turning pro, Van Volsen enjoyed a prosperous junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He played four seasons in the OHL (1992-1996), spending the majority of his time with the celebrated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds program. Van Volsen was a significant contributor to the overwhelming success of the Greyhounds in the early 1990's. He helped carry Sault Ste. Marie to the Memorial Cup Finals in each of his three full seasons played with the Soo (1992-1995), and was rewarded for his efforts when the Greyhounds won the Memorial Cup in May of 1995. He then split the 1995-1996 season, his final year in junior, with Sault Ste. Marie and the Belleville Bulls.
Van Volsen went on to play parts of two college seasons, in 1996-1997 and 1997-1998, with the University of Guelph (CIAU), before heading south to play for Austin.
Brahmas head coach Todd Lalonde is elated to have Van Volsen back in a Brahmas uniform for this season.
"I don't think there's any doubt that Joe Van Volsen is one of the best all around players in the Central Hockey League. He was tremendous for us last season. Not only did he lead our team in scoring, he also led our team in scoring chances created. He is a dynamic player, with a ton of ability. I'm expecting Joe to have another outstanding season and be a leader for our team both on and off the ice," said Lalonde.
Van Volsen shared Lalonde's enthusiasm.
"I'm looking forward to another great season in Ft. Worth," he said from his off season home in Oshawa, Ontario, "Last year was a good experience for me, the Brahmas and their fans treated me very well. We had fairly good success last year, but I've got higher expectations for this season. Hopefully we can make the playoffs again and do a little damage once we get there."
Van Volsen becomes the twelfth player under contract with the Brahmas for the 2002-2003 season. Chad Woollard (LW), Adam Davis (D), Ryan Rivard (LW), Chad Grills (C), Jason Reesor (C), Jim Midgley (C), Justin Williams (F), Brant Somerville (D), David Bourque (D), Lee Jacobson (D), and Scott Roche (G) have already inked contracts this off season with Ft. Worth. Van Volsen, Davis, Bourque, and Woollard are all returnees from the 2001-2002 Brahmas squad. With 275 professional games played, Van Volsen is the second Brahmas player (along with Chad Grills) that qualifies as a veteran in the CHL.
The Brahmas will begin their sixth season, and second in the CHL, on Friday, October 17, with a road game against the Wichita Thunder. Ft. Worth's home opener this season will be on Saturday, November 2, against the Indianapolis Ice. Season ticket and advertising packages remain on sale now. For more information, please contact the Brahmas office at (817) 336-4423.
Central Hockey League Stories from August 14, 2002
- Northern Colorado Receives CHL Club - CHL
- Van Volsen returning to Brahmas - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Lubbock Signs First Goaltender for 02/03 Season - Lubbock Cotton Kings
- Tulsa Oilers Sign Mike Johnson - Tulsa Oilers
- Blazers Add to Defensive Corps - Oklahoma City Blazers
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