The Merritt Centennials are pleased to announce the signing of nine players for the 2008-09 season.
In goal, the Centennials are pleased with the signing of 18-year-old netminder Kyle Nielsen. Nielsen, who is from West Vancouver, played last season with the Chase Chiefs of the KIJHL. He also got into three games with the Cents as an affiliate player.
On defence, 18-year-old Surrey product Matt Mazzarolo will join the Cents for the 2008-09 season. He spent the 07-08 year split between the Beaver Valley Nighthawks and the Columbia Valley Rockies of the KIJHL.
Also on the blueline, but from the PIJHL, 17-year-old Todd Fletcher of the Ridge Meadows Flames and 16-year-old Jake Baker of the Port Moody Black Panthers are going to be in Merritt for training camp in August. Fletcher finished third in scoring amongst all PIJHL defencemen last season.
And 16-year-old Westside native Curtis Gedig, who has been listed by the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, will start his junior career with the Cents after playing last season with the Kelowna Rockets of the BC Major Midget League.
Up front, 18-year-old Calgary product Devon Hobbs will be looked upon for offence after leading Chase in scoring in the KIJHL. He also was the Chiefs captain and finished sixth overall in league scoring.
Also joining the forward ranks is 18-year-old Ryan Stanimir, who split the 07-08 season between the BCHL's Burnaby Express and the PIJHL's Ridge Meadows Flames. The West Vancouver native had 9 points in 34 BCHL games and 24 points in 13 PIJHL games.
16-year-old Spencer Asuchak, who played last season with the Thompson Blazers of the BC Major Midget League, will look to make the jump to junior A hockey with the Centennials. He had 21 points in 31 games in the 07-08 season. Asuchak has also been listed by the WHL's Tri-City Americans.
And 17-year-old Cody Abbey, who spent the 07-08 season with North Kootenay Falcons Midgets and was named that team's Most Dedicated player, will also don the Centennials sweater this season. The Kaslo product played with the Kootenay Ice of the BC Major Midget League during the 2006-07 season. Abbey was also chosen earlier this spring in the WHL Bantam Draft by Prince Albert.
The Centennials would like to welcome all nine players to the organization and looks forward to seeing them all on the ice for training camp in August!
Of the nine players, six come from Junior B hockey while the other three spent the 2007-08 season playing midget hockey.
In goal, the Centennials are pleased with the signing of 18-year-old netminder Kyle Nielsen. Nielsen, who is from West Vancouver, played last season with the Chase Chiefs of the KIJHL. He also got into three games with the Cents as an affiliate player.
On defence, 18-year-old Surrey product Matt Mazzarolo will join the Cents for the 2008-09 season. He spent the 07-08 year split between the Beaver Valley Nighthawks and the Columbia Valley Rockies of the KIJHL.
Also on the blueline, but from the PIJHL, 17-year-old Todd Fletcher of the Ridge Meadows Flames and 16-year-old Jake Baker of the Port Moody Black Panthers are going to be in Merritt for training camp in August. Fletcher finished third in scoring amongst all PIJHL defencemen last season.
And 16-year-old Westside native Curtis Gedig, who has been listed by the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, will start his junior career with the Cents after playing last season with the Kelowna Rockets of the BC Major Midget League.
Up front, 18-year-old Calgary product Devon Hobbs will be looked upon for offence after leading Chase in scoring in the KIJHL. He also was the Chiefs captain and finished sixth overall in league scoring.
Also joining the forward ranks is 18-year-old Ryan Stanimir, who split the 07-08 season between the BCHL's Burnaby Express and the PIJHL's Ridge Meadows Flames. The West Vancouver native had 9 points in 34 BCHL games and 24 points in 13 PIJHL games.
16-year-old Spencer Asuchak, who played last season with the Thompson Blazers of the BC Major Midget League, will look to make the jump to junior A hockey with the Centennials. He had 21 points in 31 games in the 07-08 season. Asuchak has also been listed by the WHL's Tri-City Americans.
And 17-year-old Cody Abbey, who spent the 07-08 season with North Kootenay Falcons Midgets and was named that team's Most Dedicated player, will also don the Centennials sweater this season. The Kaslo product played with the Kootenay Ice of the BC Major Midget League during the 2006-07 season. Abbey was also chosen earlier this spring in the WHL Bantam Draft by Prince Albert.
The Centennials would like to welcome all nine players to the organization and looks forward to seeing them all on the ice for training camp in August!
