Former Chargers Ross and Salekin ink pro contracts

Jamie Gilliam, UAH Sports Information

With training camps starting soon, former University of Alabama-Huntsville hockey players Jared Ross and Mike Salekin have signed on with a pair of professional teams for the 2007-08 season.

A big piece of the Chargers' 2007 CHA Tournament Championship puzzle last season, Salekin has inked a deal with the Reading Royals of the ECHL, where the Royals are the NHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. An All-CHA defenseman for the Chargers last season, Salekin led all league blueliners in scoring last season notching seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points.

Ross returns to the Philadelphia Phantoms for his first full season with the Philadelphia Flyers' AHL club. Traded to the Phantoms midway through last season from the Chicago Wolves, Ross joined former Charger netminder Scott Munroe in the "City of Brotherly Love" and netted four goals and 10 assists in 21 games with the club.

The 2007-08 Chargers open the season on Oct. 19 against Canisius in the University of Nebraska-Omaha tournament. Season tickets are on sale now for the 14 home contests, contact Gary Ward via email or call 256-824-6584 to place your order.

Phantom's Release
Royal's Release

Chargers sign three more for 07-08

Jamie Gilliam, UAH Sports Information

Having previously announced seven signees for the 07-08 campaign, University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey coach Danton Cole has added three more student-athletes to the roster. Joining UAH for the 2007-08 season are Brady Cook (Sherwood Park, Alberta - Camrose Kodiaks AJHL), Kyle Goodchild (Courtice, Ontario - Bowmanville Eagles OPJHL) and Wyatt Russell (Los Angeles, Calif. - Brampton Capitals OPJHL).

A solid forward for the Kodiaks, Cook saw action in 33 contests in 2006-07 tallying 25 points (12g, 13a).

"We are excited to have Brady in the fold here at UAH," noted Cole. "He will be an excellent leader on and off the ice and the kind of player who wears his heart on his sleeve. He captained the Burnaby team to the Royal Bank championship and led Camrose back to the Royal Bank Cup as their captain this year. His physical presence will be welcomed by the people in the 'Hockey Capital of the South'."

A teammate of fellow newcomer Matt Baxter, Goodchild joins the Charger squad after a terrific offensive season for the Eagles where he finished second on the team in goals.

"Kyle had a great year last season in Bowmanville of the Ontario Provincial Junior League," said Cole. "He scored 37 goals in 42 games including nine game-winners. He is a gifted player around the net and will provide goal scoring from the wing as well as on the power play with his willingness to play in front of the net. His size will be a good mix with his fellow freshmen forwards."

One of the top goalies in the OPJHL in 2006-07, Russell comes to the "Rocket City" after a solid season in which he posted a 18-5-1 record in net.

"Wyatt had a strong campaign in net for Brampton of the Ontario Provincial Junior League," remarked Cole. "A California native, he will join Chris Fairbanks as a fellow American in this years class. Wyatt was 18-5-1 with a .905% save percentage. He will make the competition for time in the net with returnee Blake MacNicol and fellow newcomer Cam Talbot very strong.

Season ticket sales are underway now for the 2007-08 season and the Chargers' defense of the Bruce McCloud cup. For more information contact Gary Ward via email or call 256-824-6584.

Chargers announce seven signees for 07-08

Jamie Gilliam, UAH Sports Information

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.
Video from the Press Conference

Cole named head coach of Charger hockey program

Jamie Gilliam, UAH Sports Information

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).