CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Checkers have signed defenseman Darren Curry to a contract for the 2001-02 season, it was announced this morning by Head Coach Don MacAdam. Curry, 24, played collegiately at the University of Alabama-Huntsville and was a College Hockey America (CHA) first-team and all-tournament team selection as a senior last year.
"Several reports had Darren rated as the best defenseman in the CHA last season," commented MacAdam. "Quality defenseman are tough to find and are heavily recruited at all levels. We’re very fortunate Darren has chosen to come play for us."
Curry tallied a career-high 26 points on eight goals and 18 assists for UAH last season, leading the Chargers to the CHA regular season crown. He ranked second in conference games in both points (19) and assists (12), and earned league Player of the Week honors early in the season.
The 5-11, 190-pound native of Manitock, Ontario, scored 13 goals in 1999-2000, a school defenseman record and a personal-best. He tied for first on the squad that year with eight power play goals, while finishing second in goals and fourth in points.
Curry, who was switched to defense from right wing during the 1998-99 campaign, ended his three-year Alabama-Huntsville career with 29 goals and 31 assists in 78 games, in addition to a +37 rating and 71 penalty minutes. The Chargers moved to NCAA Division I classification in Curry’s first season and went 59-27-6 overall and 28-10-1 in CHA action during his tenure.
"I’m really looking forward to this opportunity," said Curry. "This becomes the closest thing to the dream I have had of making hockey a career and I’m going to make the best of it. I’m really happy Charlotte has given me this opportunity."
