Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Graham and Mercer Commit to IceDogs, Van Ryn Hired as Assistant Coach

Press Release

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara IceDogs are pleased to announce the signing of their two first round draft picks Jesse Graham and Luke Mercer.

Graham, chosen sixth overall in the OHL Priority Selection, is a 5'11" defenseman from Scarborough, ON who spent this past season with the Toronto Young Nationals of the GTHL. In 84 games, Graham picked up 14 goals and 74 assists for 88 points. He is described as a skilled defenseman who plays a very active high risk, high reward style of game.

Mercer, selected with the eighth overall pick, was a teammate with Graham on the Toronto Young Nationals and is a native of Brampton, ON. Last season, Mercer put up 9 goals and 51 assists in 72 games from the blue line and is described as an effective defender who contributes in both ends of the rink while playing with a ton of poise and composure.

Both players competed in the 2010 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament.

Head Coach Marty Williamson had this to say about Graham and Mercer, “These two young men will only strengthen our core of defensemen that continue to grow and improve together. Their ability to handle the puck in the offensive zone, while playing a shutdown defensive game will add depth to an already potent defense.”

The IceDogs are also pleased to announce the signing of former National Hockey League defenseman Mike Van Ryn as an Assistant Coach.

An NHL first round pick in 1998, Van Ryn spent seven seasons in the NHL, playing for the St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers, and most recently the Toronto Maple Leafs. Over his career Van Ryn tallied 30 goals and 99 assists for 129 points, also adding 260 penalty minutes in 353 games. Van Ryn’s junior hockey career included one season with the Sarnia Sting in 1999-2000. In 61 games he collected 6 goals and 35 assists for 41 points.

With this addition, the Niagara IceDogs coaching staff is now complete. Van Ryn will join Head Coach Marty Williamson and fellow Assistant Coach Billy Burke behind the bench.

“As an organization, we are very happy to add Mike to our team. His experience as a player in the National Hockey League will be a valuable asset to our players” added IceDogs owner Bill Burke.

Also joining the Niagara IceDogs hockey operations team is John Neville, the new Director of Scouting for the club. Since 1988, Neville has been a scout with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and won a Memorial Cup with the team in 1993. Neville is also a close friend of Marty Williamson, having worked together in various capacities since 1990.

(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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