Tallahassee Tiger Sharks Player Updates July 2002

Former Tiger Shark center R.J. Enga has agreed to terms with the Colorado Gold Kings for the 2002-03 season.

The 30-year-old Enga, one of the last of the original Gold Kings, has appeared in all 310 regular season and playoff games since the franchise moved to Colorado Springs in 1998. He narrowly missed becoming the first Colorado player to register 50 goals in back-to-back seasons last year, finishing with 48 to earn second team all-WCHL honors to go along with a team- and career-best +24 rating. Enga's career-high 50 goals and 105 points in 2000-01 landed him a first team all-WCHL selection as well as a trip to the 2001 WCHL-CHL All-Star Game.

Entering his fifth year with the Gold Kings, he is the club's all-time leader in games, points (387), goals (165), power play goals (56), and shorthanded goals (10).

"R.J. is certainly one of our top guns and a premier goal scorer in this league," said Gold Kings coach Al Pedersen. "In addition, he's extremely dedicated and that work ethic has resulted in improved play at both ends of the ice."

Enga appeared in 70 games for the Tiger Sharks during their 1997-98 season, registering 68 points (27 G, 41 A).

Former Tiger Shark Woods signs two-year contract extension with Sea Wolves BILOXI, Miss. - Bob Woods, head coach and director of hockey operations for the Mississippi Sea Wolves, signed a two-year contact extension Monday to remain with the East Coast Hockey League team.

Woods, 34, will begin his second season with the Sea Wolves. He led Mississippi to a 41-26-5 regular season record, a second-place finish in the ECHL's Southwest Division, and a Kelly Cup playoff appearance.

"My family and I are excited to stay in Mississippi," Woods said. "With the new ownership group and their enthusiasm, I believe strongly the Sea Wolves will be successful on and off the ice."

Woods, a former defenseman, played in 65 games with the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks in teh 1997-98 season, recording 18 goals and 31 assists. Woods played with the Mississippi Sea Wolves and served as a player/assistant coach before he took over the reins as the Sea Wolves head coach for the 2001-02 season.

Adopted from a Press Release issued by the Nottingham Panthers

The Nottingham Panthers have made another gritty, hard-working signing in their bid for honours next campaign, picking up much talked about Jason Clarke who has played mostly in the East Coast Hockey League in North America.

Said Panthers' Coach, Paul Adey, "Jason is a real team guy and he isn't afraid to get his nose dirty, but what I like about his scouting report is that he can play good two-way hockey as well as look after himself. He has been getting more than a point every other game in a pretty tough professional league."

Added Panthers' General Manager Gary Moran, "They say Jason is like a six foot Andy Bezeau and they say everywhere he has played he has been the fans' favourite. He makes things happen, he drives the net, he gets his fair share of points and he can be expected to spend a little time in the box. He's exciting and we're pleased to add him to the entertainment package that is the Nottingham Panthers. Others wanted him in the Superleague, they haven't got him, we have, and I'm sure the fans will take to him very quickly."

Fort Wayne Komets Press Release

The Komets announced today that they have agreed to terms with center Colin Chaulk for the upcoming 2002-03 UHL campaign.

Chaulk, 25, will be entering his 5th year as a pro and 3rd in the UHL. He skated 2 seasons with Missouri during 1999-00 and 2000-01 scoring 86 assists and 119 points while posting 232 penalty minutes in 89 games. During 2000-01 season the veteran center also skated 37 games for Kansas City in the IHL posting 13 assists and 18 points.

"We're pleased to have him," Komet head coach Greg Puhalski said. "He's a complete player and a leader-by-example type of player. He'll be a great fit for our team."

Last year Chaulk registered 46 assists and 65 points in 55 games with Colorado in the WCHL while accumulating 94 penalty minutes.

"Colin Chaulk is one of the premier players at this level of hockey," Komet general manager David Franke said. "He competes hard every night and is a solid 2-way player. Fort Wayne fans will enjoy his competitive spirit and style."

Chaulk becomes the 3rd forward to be added to the Komet's 2002-03 roster besides Kelly Miller and Billy Pugliese. Defensemen Kevin Schmidt, Kevin Bertram, Troy Neumeier and Kelly Perrault are also on the roster along with goaltender Pokey Reddick for a total of 8 players.

From the Fort Wayne Journal:

The Fort Wayne Komets are on the cusp of obtaining the premier forward they've sought all summer.

General manager David Franke is confident center Colin Chaulk will sign with the Komets, perhaps as early as today.

"We have an offer in front of Chaulk," Franke said Monday, "and we're hoping that he signs off on it relatively quickly."

Chaulk, 25, should be familiar to Komets fans - he played for the UHL's Missouri River Otters from 1999 to 2001 - and he would be the first marquee offensive player added to the Fort Wayne roster for the coming season.

Chaulk skated 55 games last season with the Colorado Gold Kings of the West Coast Hockey League, scoring 19 goals and 65 points in 55 games. He also played 15 games with the higher-level American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins, tallying three goals and five points.

"I think it would be a real coup if we could sign him," Franke said. "He's a hard-nosed, competitive player, a great two-way player. He's just one of the premier centermen at this level."

Already under contract with the Komets for next season is goaltender Pokey Reddick, the brother of former Tiger Shark "Smokey" Reddick.

The busy off season for the RiverKings continues next week as the Jr. StreetKings roller hockey camps get underway on July 8th. The camps run every week and will feature a number of RiverKing players as instructors. Don Parsons, the Advantage-Rent-A-Car Most Valuable Player in the CHL, is lead instructor for the camp which will take place at the newly constructed roller rink at the Hernando Civic Center on Robinson Gin Road. For more information about the Jr. StreetKings roller hockey camp call (901) 870-PUCK (7825).

(Reading, PA) - The Reading Royals have reacquired the rights to defenseman Simon Tremblay from the Greenville Grrrowl. Tremblay was dealt to the Kelly Cup Champions at the trade deadline on February 27. In exchange for giving up their leading scorer, the Royals secured defenseman Kevin Bergin and forward Jason Windle, future considerations and a player to be named later. General Manager Ray Delia said reacquiring Simon's rights finally completes the trade with the Grrrowl.

"This was a tough trade to make, but we knew the possibility to reacquire Tremblay's rights existed," Delia said. "This has shaped up to be a great deal for us because we received three players for him and his rights for the upcoming season. Anytime you can add such a quality player and person to your program it is a huge benefit. I am hopeful that we can complete contract negotiations shortly and have Simon back in a Royals' sweater."

The final piece of the puzzle to this trade was secured on May 30. This was the deadline date for all future consideration agreements to be completed from the 2001-02 season. The Royals picked up Alexandre Jacques from Greenville via Toledo. Jacques was a 6th round selection of the Detroit Red Wings in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He had his best season pro in 2001-02 scoring 29 goals and 68 points for the Toledo Storm.

Royals coach David Lohrei says it's always a bonus when you get an all star back, "Simon Tremblay is an impact player. He is coming off a championship season in Greenville so he knows what it takes to win."

"Simon would definitely be a valuable signing for us. Now that we have his rights our next job is to get him signed," Lohrei said.

Upon Tremblay's exit from Reading he led the Royals in scoring. He posted 10 goals and 42 points in just 56 games. He was the lone representative for the Royals in the ECHL All Star Game in Trenton, New Jersey.

John Olver, coach of the Idaho Steelheads listed among the players most likely to return this year Tiger Sharks alumni goaltender Blair Allison, forwards Adam Copeland, and Derek Paget.

Fan favorite Cal Ingraham retired at the end of the season to pursue a career in the insurance industry.

The Steelheads are expected to open training camp on September 27, while opening night for the 2002-03 season is tentatively scheduled for October 11.

By MERCEDES PARKER
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

When it comes to making a living in minor-league hockey, a player's skills have to extend outside the ice for financial survival.

For the Brahmas and other minor-league players, that means taking on a job in the off-season.

Brahmas players' salaries average $519 a week. For six months, the team plays under an $8,500-a-week salary cap required by the league. The other six months usually call for taking on a second job.

"Players don't make a whole lot," Brahmas veteran Jason Clarke said. "If you're married, and it's your first year, it's not enough."

Some players, like Clarke, stick to their hockey roots by teaching clinics, camps, or even working at ice rinks or hockey shops. But some players have 9-to-5 jobs. Daniel Villeneuve and Adam Davis have non-hockey-related jobs as a construction worker and sign maker, respectively.

Clarke continues to play, teach and sell hockey during the summer. Not only is he an instructor for the Blacktop Brahmas in-line hockey clinic, but he is also a representative for Sande Hockey, an equipment company.

Clarke is both a player and assistant coach for the Brahmas, and the Blacktop program is part of his responsibilities.

Clarke is also rehabbing his hand after surgery this summer. The hand injury, however, doesn't get in the way of the promotional work he does for Sande Hockey.

"I just get stuff free. I don't get paid," Clarke said. "I wear their gloves and pants and use their sticks. I also get other teams in the league to wear it."

Like many of his teammates, Clarke gets assistance from his wife. Clarke's wife Heather works for a health-care company.

The ultimate job for Clarke is working in the NHL. Signing a contract with an NHL team would mean spending most of the summer working out. Until then, playing for the Brahmas, getting summer jobs and dreaming big will have to do.

Tiger Sharks alumni Rick Hayward has been named the coach of the yet unnamed expansion UHL Port Huron hockey team (formerly the Canton Ice Patrol). Hayward played in 16 games for the Sharks in the 2000-01 season, recording four assists.

A defenseman, Rick played the majority of his 15-year career in the American and now-defunct International hockey leagues. He was an enforcer throughout his career, recording more than 200 penalty minutes nine times, including 419 in 1989-90 while with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles (IHL).

This is his first coaching job.

"I'm not going to have a team that will allow people to come into Port Huron and have an easy night," Hayward said. "It will be aggressive hockey, and one thing I won't allow is for my team to be outworked."

Also former Tiger Sharks coach Terry Christen is teaching hockey school from August 5th through August 9th at TECO Arena in Fort Myers Florida. The schools instructors also include former NHL player and coach Ken Schinkel and former ECHL coach and current Tampa Bay Lightning scout Grant Sonier. Terry's wife Kellie will as be teaching.

The program ranges in ages from 9 and under through 18 years of age. Cost of the school is $325 per student. Please call (941) 498-7435 for additional information.

(07/19/02) Lexington Hockey (ECHL) -- Named Jim Wiley head coach and director of hockey operations.
(07/17/02) Anaheim Mighty Ducks -- Agreed to terms on a two-year contract with defenseman Todd Reirden.
(07/15/02) Mississippi Sea Wolves (ECHL) -- Signed coach and director of hockey operations Bob Woods to a two-year contract.
(07/02/02) Greenville Grrowl (ECHL) -- Traded defenseman Simon Tremblay to the Reading Royals to complete an earlier deal.

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