Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Bucs, Tri-City Exchange Goalies at Trading Deadline

Press Release

Urbandale (IA) The Des Moines Buccaneers have announced they have acquired goalie Phoenix Copley from the Tri-City Storm in exchange for goalie Christian Frey. The trade was completed late Monday which was the trade deadline in the USHL. Copley will report to Des Moines immediately and is expected to practice with the club on Tuesday.

“With the addition of Phoenix we are getting a big, physically gifted goalie with a save percentage over .900, despite having a losing record,” said Simon. “That isn’t too common in hockey.”

Copley, a native of North Pole, Alaska comes to the Buccaneers with 9 wins and 13 losses. He stands 6’3” and weighs 180 lbs. and sports a 3.14 goals against average and a .905 save percentage and recently beat the Buccaneers in a shoot-out on February 4th. He is also committed to play college hockey at Michigan Tech University of the WCHA.

“There’s no question we needed to shake some things up here,” said Buccaneers head coach and general manager Regg Simon. “We are 3-8-3 since Christmas break and have been losing too many close games.”

“If we were sitting at 6 wins and 8 losses since the break we’re probably thinking differently at this point. It has been that fine of a line with our team,” added coach Simon. “But it’s the time of year where every game counts and our players need to recognize that.”

The Copley trade comes on the heels of another move made by the Buccaneers last week, where they acquired defenseman Nick Seeler from the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

“We went out and got Nick to solidify our D-core and he’s made an immediate impact,” coach Simon said. “His passion has been infectious and we expect him to continue to bring that type of leadership to our club every day.”

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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