Vipers Acquire Starke and Rizk from Flint as They Kick Off a Big Weekend at Home
March 9, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Roanoke Valley Vipers News Release
ROANOKE, VA - The Roanoke Valley Vipers, member of the United Hockey League (UHL), announced today that they have acquired forwards Sean Starke and Simon Rizk in a trade with the Flint Generals, which sent forward Charlie Elezi and defenseman Erick Lajoie to Flint.
Starke, 26, has 36 points (17G, 19A) in 51 games with the Generals this season. The Montreal native also spent the 2004-05 season in the UHL as a member of the Kalamazoo Wings, scoring 39 points (19G, 20A) in 68 games, numbers he is now on pace to meet and surpass this season. Starke played in Europe in the 2003-04 season following a four-year playing career at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine from 1999-2003. Starke will also add size to the Vipers' offense with his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame.
Rizk has journeyed through three leagues this season, beginning the year with the Central Hockey League's Memphis Riverkings before playing seven games for the Pee Dee Cyclones of the SPHL. The 6-foot-3 220-pound winger then signed with the Flint Generals, where he put up 96 penalty minutes in 33 games. Rizk played 16 games in 2004-05 with the St. Hyacithe Cousin of the LNAH, and tallied an amazing 120 penalty minutes in 11 games with the Shawinigan Xtreme of the CQSHL.
"We are looking forward to the toughness Rizk brings to Roanoke," said Vipers Head Coach Daniel Berthiaume, "and the physical play of Starke too, who can also add some offensive prowess."
Starke and Rizk will join the Vipers just in time for their big weekend, which will begin Friday night at 7:35p.m. at the Roanoke Civic Center as the Vipers host their in-state rival the Richmond RiverDogs! Saturday the RiverDogs will be back for game two of the weekend set as the Vipers hold a special jersey retirement ceremony for Vipers Head Coach and former Roanoke and NHL Hockey Star Daniel Berthiaume, and former Salem Rebel and Philadelphia Flyer Dave "The Hammer" Schultz! The puck drop on Saturday will also be at 7:35p.m. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime historic event! The Vips will finish off the weekend with a Sunday afternoon game against the Rockford Ice Hogs at 5:05p.m. Sunday will be Fire Safety Day, for which the first 500 kids through the door will receive a Fire Safety Goody Bag. The Vipers will wear special fire-themed jerseys on Sunday to be auctioned off after the game with proceeds benefiting the MDA. Finally, the Third Annual Guns and Hoses Charity Hockey Game will take place after the jersey auction as local firefighters and police officers face off to raise money for the MDA. The Vipers are offering $5.00 goal and center ice tickets on Sunday in support of Guns and Hoses and the MDA. Don't miss a minute of the action this weekend! Call (540) 345-PUCK (7825) to get your tickets today!
International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 9, 2006
- Giving Green to the Kids - Kalamazoo Wings
- Jackals Announce Fan Appreciation Game Dates - Elmira Jackals
- Generals acquire Elezi and Lajoie - Flint Generals
- Vipers Acquire Starke and Rizk from Flint as They Kick Off a Big Weekend at Home - Roanoke Valley Vipers
- Youth being served in Rockford - Rockford IceHogs
- Mechanics Invade Flint For Another Live Broadcast - Motor City Mechanics
- Trashers host Elmira and Rockford this weekend - Danbury Trashers
- Trashers to serve as celebrity waiters March 21st at Uno Chicago Grill - Danbury Trashers
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