Three Commit to Hounds Including First Rounder Curcuruto

Press Release

Soo Greyhounds General Manager Dave Torrie announced Friday that the organization has received commitments from three players in preparation of the 2010-11 Ontario Hockey League season.

Gianluca Curcuruto, Matthew Murray and Colin Miller have all been signed to Standard Player Agreements by the club in advance of the team’s training camp this coming September.

“We are pleased to reach an agreement with all three players, as we feel they will all contribute to our club next season and in the future” stated Torrie.

With the signings, the Greyhounds secure the services of a goalie and two defensemen in the process.

Murray, a product of the Thunder Bay Kings, was selected in the 2nd round of this past May’s OHL Priority Selection. In 40 games played he had 32 wins, 5 loss and 6 shutouts to go along with a 1.71 GAA.

“Since drafting Matt in the 2nd round we have talked about him being our goalie of the future and we look forward to working with Matt and enhancing his development. Goaltending is one of the tougher positions to play and we need to ensure that we have a solid plan to help guide and nurture Matt’s development” commented Torrie.

While on the blueline corp, the Hounds secure two players who are taking different paths, but whom management and coaches think very highly of.

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Curcuruto was the Hounds 1st round selection (14th overall) this past May while Miller, a local product, played this past year with the Hounds Jr. A affiliate, the Soo Thunderbirds.

In 64 games played Gianluca notched 38 goals and 44 assists for 86 points with the Mississauga Reps while also participating in the Telus Cup – Midget National Championship.

For Miller, a regular season saw him grab 7 goals and 23 assists (30 points) in 46 games played before advancing with the Thunderbirds to the Dudley Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Championship.

“Gianluca and Colin are two defenseman that we feel can contribute as soon as this season and for future seasons. Both possess outstanding staking skills which are important in today’s game. With the departure of Muzzin and Quesnele it is going to be important that we have good depth on defense as we attempt to compensate for the loss of these two players. Both of these young men have good offensive skills and we feel they’ll be able to use these skills to really help our transition game. Both will take some time to adjust to the OHL level but we are confident that they will both make significant contributions next season” explained Torrie.

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