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Veteran forward re-signs with Gorillas for third season

September 2, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


AMARILLO, TX – One of the Amarillo Gorillas top offensive forwards each of the last two years will be back for a third season with the club.

The Gorillas announced today the signing of forward Henry Kuster for the 2004-2005 season.

The Edmonton, Alberta native has appeared in all but one game in two years with the Gorillas and has posted some incredible numbers. Kuster led the team in scoring in his first year with the G-men, posting 36 goals and adding 33 assists for 69 points and 49 penalty minutes. Kuster's great season also helped to power Amarillo to its first Central Hockey League playoff appearance in more than 20 years.

Kuster was also one of two players to represent the Gorillas at the CHL All-Star game in Oklahoma City two years ago.

"I am happy to be back again this year and hopefully I can contribute more to the team, that is my goal," Kuster said. "Joe is putting together another good team so I am anxious to get going."

In his second year with the Gorillas, Kuster finished behind leader and second year player Derek Hahn with 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points and 29 penalty minutes. However, Kuster was a force in the Gorillas march to the Central Hockey League playoffs where he had four goals and three assists for seven points in 11 games.

"When the season ended last year both Henry and I had long talks about what I would expect from him this year," said Gorillas Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager Joe Ferras. "Without a doubt Hank is a premiere player in our league, and he knows how important he is to this club and we need Henry to be that force."

Kuster was originally selected in the second round 45th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1996 National Hockey League Entry draft following a brilliant five year career with the Medicine Hat Tigers and later the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. In 350 career junior games, the 6 foot 1 inch, 210 pound right shooting right winger, had 126 goals and 171 assists for 297 points and 239 penalty minutes.

Kuster turned pro during the 1998-199 season where he played for the August Lynx of the ECHL where he had 10 points (5 goals and 5 assists) in 20 games. In the following season he split time with Augusta, the Jacksonville Lizard Kings of the ECHL and the San Antonio Iguanas of the CHL where he had 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points and 75 games.

Kuster then spent two full seasons (2000-2001 and 2001-2002) with the Iguanas in the CHL where appeared in 127 games and had 59 goals and 71 assists for 130 points and 45 penalty minutes. He also played in 13 playoff games and had four goals and three assists for seven points.

"Hank is a big strong lad who has an NHL shot, and in our building he can score from anywhere inside the blue line," said Ferras. "I have a gut feeling that this will be Henry's best season as a pro, and he is in great shape and more determined than ever."

Henry Kuster is the 12th player signed by the Amarillo Gorillas for the 2004-2005 season which is set to face off in October. The Gorillas will host the Odessa Jackalopes and the Lubbock Cotton Kings on Friday, Oct. 22 and Saturday, Oct. 23 all at 7 p.m.

Full and partial season ticket packages as well as corporate packages are available by either dropping by the Gorillas Hockey Office at 1934 Civic Circle located at I-40 and Georgia or by calling 242-7825.



Central Hockey League Stories from September 2, 2004


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.

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