Thursday, September 10, 2009

Americans make roster moves

Press Release

KENNEWICK, WA – Tri-City Americans General Manager Bob Tory announced today that the team has signed 2009 second round (41st overall) bantam draft pick Marcus Messier to a standard WHL Players Contract.

Messier, a 5’9 145 lb. right wing from Canmore, Alberta, spent last season with the Notre Dame Hounds AAA Bantam of the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League. Marcus, the younger brother of current Americans’ forward Jordan Messier, appeared in 17 games for the Hounds, collecting 21 goals, 52 points and 14 penalty minutes. With the signing of Messier, the Americans have now signed their top two picks from this April’s Bantam Draft, joining first-round pick Connor Rankin.

“Marcus is an energetic, highly skilled forward and we welcome him to our family,” said Tory.

Messier attended both the Americans’ rookie and main camps, while appearing in two games during the Americans’ trip to Everett this past weekend in the Silvertips’ Pre-Season Tournament. Following the Everett Tournament, Messier was reassigned to the Hounds.

The Americans’ main camp is in full swing, as they prepare to host the Red Lion Hotels Pre-Season Tournament at the Toyota Center, starting Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 13. Tickets for the Red Lion Hotel Pre-Season Tournament are currently on sale through all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Toyota Center box office and all Fred Meyer outlets. Six-game Tournament Packages are also available through the Americans’ office by calling 509.736.0606.

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Bob Tory also announced today that the rights to goaltender Warren Shymko have been traded to the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for future considerations. Shymko, Tri-City’s fifth round pick (95th overall) in 2007, participated in the Americans’ main camp before being reassigned to the Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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