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Chargers announce seven signees for 07-08
With the 2007-08 season quickly approaching University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey coach Danton Cole has signed seven talented athletes as the Chargers prepare to defend the Bruce McCloud cup as College Hockey America's tournament champions. Joining the UAH squad for the 2007-08 season are Matt Baxter (Courtice, Ontario - Bowmanville Eagles OPJHL), Vince Bruni (Toronto, Ontario - Aurora Tigers OPJHL), Andrew Coburn (Mount Forest, Ontario - Vernon Vipers BCHL), Chris Fairbanks (Milford, Mich. - Mahoning Valley Phantoms NAHL), Joey Koudys (Grimsby, Ontario - Thorold Blackhawks GHL), Cameron Talbot (Caledonia, Ontario - Hamilton Red Wings OPJHL) and Mike Ward (Strathroy, Ontario - Aurora Tigers OPJHL). "We are continuing to fill the vacant spots in our lineup and have some exciting players we are currently recruiting," noted Cole. "We are by no means done recruiting and are looking forward to this group of incoming freshmen putting their mark on Charger hockey and to their contributions on and off the ice." With a 6'3" frame, Baxter joins the Chargers after posting 37 points in 47 games as a defenseman for Bowmanville. "Matt is a strong, big defenseman that put up very good offensive numbers last year. He should step in and be a solid contributor right away for us. He has an excellent upside and pro potential." Traded just before the deadline this past season, Bruni joined the Aurora Tigers in time for their playoff run and Royal Bank Cup championship squad. "Vince was on the Royal Bank Cup champions last season in Aurora and brings a strong work ethic with him. He is valuable on the penalty kill and will fit in nicely on either checking or scoring lines. His coaches all spoke very highly of his understanding of systems and team play." Netting 77 points in 60 games of action this past season for the Vernon Vipers, Coburn led the team with 34 goals finishing in the top-20 in the BCHL in both goals and points. "Andy will be a key contributor for us this year. He is a skilled, playmaking centerman that has great stats in a very good junior league, the BCHL. We look for him to fit in well with scoring wingers, as his strength is passing and offensive zone play." The nephew of a former Charger, Fairbanks is expected to be a contributor for UAH following in his uncle Mike's footsteps. Fairbanks notched solid numbers with Mahoning Valley last season with a 63 point season in 62 games including 26 goals. "Chris has had a lot of success in juniors with the Mahoning Valley team in the NAHL. His team fell one game short of winning their national championship. He has excellent vision and hands and thinks his way around the ice very well. We see him playing both wing and center may spend a lot of time on the point on powerplays." Koudys joins the Chargers after a 79-point season in 47 games including 31 goals with the Thorold Blackhawks. "Joey is a dynamic offensive player and led his team in regular season and playoff scoring. He should fit in at center for us and be a fun player to watch develop." On top of being named the MVP of the OPJHL West Division, Talbot was named the OPJHL's Player of the Year on June 8th. The 2006 season saw Talbot post a 19-3-2 record with a 2.08 GAA and .918 save percentage. "Cam is coming off an excellent season in the OPJHL. He was named the league MVP and was featured on Leaf's TV as one of two goalies to watch in the NCAA next year. He is big in net and possesses tremendous hockey sense and quickness. He will fight for a lot of ice time this year." Ward rounds out the group of signees having teamed with Bruni in winning the Royal Bank Cup. Ward also played alongside Talbot for Team Canada East in the World Junior A Challenge in 2006. "Mike was also on the championship Canadian junior team in Aurora with Bruni. Although his strength is as a lock down, physical defenseman, he led the Royal Bank defensman in scoring. He is a mature defenseman and should log a lot of ice this season." Fans interested in season tickets should contact Gary Ward via email or call 256-824-6584.Cole tabs Neumann's Williams as assistant coach
University of Alabama in Huntsville ice hockey coach Danton Cole announced today that Dennis Williams will join his staff as assistant coach. Following three successful seasons at Division III Neumann College near Philadelphia, Williams joins the Charger program with a wealth of experience in the college game as a head coach and as an assistant. "We are very excited to have Dennis joining the Chargers" remarked Cole. "He put together a tremendous program in a short time at Neumann and is a tireless recruiter and administrator. Dennis will be intricately involved in all aspects of our program both on and off the ice. His professionalism and personality will be an instant hit with our players, faculty, alumni and fans. We look forward to Dennis and his wife Hollie joining our community here in Huntsville." Taking over the duties of the Neumann program in 2004, Williams led the Knights to their most successful season in school history in 2006-07 as NC finished 17-5-5 earning a No. 3 ranking in the final USCHO.com poll of the season. With the Knights, Williams recruited and coached three All-Americans along with multiple all-conference selections. " I am very excited of the opportunity to join Coach Cole and the UAH hockey program" said Williams. "UAH is a program steeped in tradition and I look forward to joining the Chargers and the community." "At the same time, I would like to thank Athletic Director Chuck Sack and Neumann College for giving me the chance and opportunity to coach the Neumann hockey program." Prior to taking over the reigns of the Neumann program, Williams served as an assistant for one season at Utica College following one season as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green State where he completed his master's degree in Marketing Education. A four-year letterwinner on the ice and graduate of Bowling Green, Williams earned the Howard Brown Coaches' Award being recognized as the person who exemplifies professional qualities both on and off the ice en route to leading the Falcons to a Frozen Four appearance in 2001.
Video from the Press Conference
Cole named head coach of Charger hockey program
Following a nationwide search, the University of Alabama in Huntsville is pleased to announce Danton Cole as the third head coach in the history of the Chargers hockey program filling the seat of Doug Ross, who retired after 25 years at the end of the 2006-07 season. "We look forward to Danton's experience, his integrity, his desire and his enthusiasm and excitement to take the Chargers to the next level and to win as many championships as absolutely possible," noted UAH Director of Athletics Jim Harris. "I can't thank the committee enough for their diligence and time searching through the wonderful group of candidates. They did a great job helping us narrow down the group to pick the very best candidate for our needs. On behalf of the UAH Athletics Department I thank them for everything they did." Spending the last season as assistant coach at Bowling Green State University, Cole was responsible for the Falcons' defensemen leading five of their six regulars to new career-bests in points. "First and foremost, I'd like to thank Dr. Franz and Mr. Harris for giving me the opportunity to come in here to what I think is a great situation and with the chance to do some great things," said Cole. "A special thanks to Coach Ross for his 25 years and the great things he has done here with this program and college hockey. I was in pro hockey for 17 years as a player and coach and a lot of the reason I wanted to come back (to college hockey) was the culture and the people that are involved. Certainly Doug has done great things for college hockey and we wish him the best." A Pontiac, Mich., native, he suited up for Michigan State for four seasons where he still holds the career record with 180 games played during his span. Advancing to the Frozen Four three out of four years including winning a national title as a Spartan, Cole notched 163 points (69g, 94a) and was honored with the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1989 as MSU's top male student-athlete in both scholarship and achievement. "Two things on his resume impressed the Dickens out of me" remarked Harris. "He was a three-time All-CCHA Academic Team member and that rings well with what we do here at UAH. He was also a Big Ten Medal of Honor winner while at Michigan State. That certainly leads toward our UAH philosophy of the true student-athlete concept of student first and to continue the integrity of bringing the student here for the highest possible degree of education as well as winning championships for UAH." A Stanley Cup winner with the New Jersey Devils in 1995 during his six years in the NHL, Cole joins the UAH family with a wealth of head coaching experience in professional hockey. With a career record of 222-126-27, Cole spent three seasons (2002-04) with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL), the top farm team of the Detroit Red Wings, where he became the all-time winningest coach in team history with a record of 116-72-17. Following his stint with the Griffins, he spent two seasons with the Motor City Mechanics (UHL), where he coached former Charger standout Jared Ross. Cole led the Mechanics to a 58-32-6 mark during his tenure. "I want to thank Coach (Scott) Paluch and Greg Christopher the A.D. at Bowling Green for giving me the opportunity to get back into college hockey," said Cole. "I certainly thank them as they've been wonderful supporters. It was tough leaving there but I did want to get back to being a head coach and this is a great spot and some good things are going to happen." Cole got his first shot as a head coach with the Muskegon Fury where he led the team to a 48-22 mark and a league championship. Married to the former Debbie Fox of Lansing, Mich., he and his wife have three daughters (Ashton 13, Madeleine 12 and Payton 8).Blue Line Club hosting pair of upcoming events
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