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Nimmo signed by Memphis Riverkings
SOUTHAVEN, MS --- Memphis RiverKings Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin McClelland announced today that the team has signed six-foot-two, 220 pound center David Nimmo (NIM oh). Nimmo is coming off of a four year career with the Division I University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers and is the second player to be signed for the 2007-2008 season by the RiverKings. “After talking with Coach McClelland, signing with the RiverKings seemed like the best decision for me,” Nimmo said. “I am excited to get down there and play.”Nimmo, a native of Edmonton suburb St. Albert, Alberta, led the Chargers in overall scoring during his senior season with 14 goals and 22 assists in 36 games. He was named the College Hockey America Tournament MVP after scoring the overtime winning goal in the championship game, sending UAH to their first ever NCAA tournament. The Chargers finished the regular season in last place in CHA, but ran the table to win the tournament in Cinderella fashion. The team then almost upset top ranked and top seeded Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA’s, taking the Fighting Irish to double overtime before falling 3-2.
“Playing in the NCAA tournament was a learning experience for sure,” Nimmo said. “It is an experience I will never forget, I know that.” During his four year career at UAH, Nimmo played in 116 games, scoring 25 goals while picking up 38 assists for a total of 63 points. Eleven of his 25 collegiate goals came on the power play. Last season, he was in the top 10 in the CHA in goals and assists. Prior to enrolling at UAH, he played a season of junior hockey with the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League where he scored 36 goals and had 39 assists in 60 games during the 2002-03 season. “I would describe myself as a big physical center who will do whatever it takes to get the job done,” Nimmo said. “I don’t concern myself with scoring or assisting pretty goals, just as long as the puck goes into the net.”Having played his college hockey in Huntsville, Alabama, Nimmo is no stranger to hockey in the south.
“I am very familiar with the weather and the lifestyle differences from Canada,” he said. “I do know that people in that region are learning and getting excited about the game. Some of my former college teammates may even be able to come over to catch a game if they have an off weekend.”The RiverKings are coming off a season where they finished the regular season with 39 wins, the most since 02-03 and the third most in the franchise’s history. The team also made a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2003 and advanced to the Northern Conference finals before falling to the eventual President’s Cup champion Colorado Eagles.
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
