WHL teams sign prospects

Press Release

Prince George, BC - The Prince George Cougars are very proud to announce the signing of 16-year old defenceman Mattia Bortolotto to a standard Western Hockey League contract.

Bortolotto becomes the first 16-year old American to sign with the Cougars. The product of San Mateo, California is 5’9” tall and weighs 190 pounds and played last season with the San Jose Jr. Sharks Midget Under-18 team, where he will play again this year. His coach in San Jose is Cougars scout Tony Zasowski.

“This is a very exciting day for the Cougars organization to get a player of Mattia Bortolotto’s caliber,” says Cougars Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel Wade Klippenstein. “Mattia is one of the best young defencemen in the state of California and we can’t wait to see him in a Cougars uniform. He is an excellent compliment to an already blooming young defence corps with Jesse Forsberg, Josh Smith, Dane Phaneuf and Shane Pilling.”

Bortolotto is equally excited about becoming a future Cougar. “This has been a dream of mine to play in the Western Hockey League. I’m really glad to join the organization. After being in Prince George and hanging out with some of the players, I feel like I’ll fit in perfect with the team. I’m just really excited that I signed.”




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KENNEWICK, WA – Tri-City Americans General Manager Bob Tory announced today that the team has signed 2008 sixth round (132nd overall) bantam draft pick Zach McPhee and list prospect Drydn Dow to standard WHL Players Contracts.

McPhee, a 6’3 180 lb. center from Vernon, British Columbia, spent last season with the Vernon Renegades midgets of the Greater Vernon Minor Hockey Association. McPhee appeared in 32 games, collecting 13 goals, 34 points and 30 penalty minutes. With the signing of McPhee, the Americans have now signed their first 4 picks from the 2008 draft, joining Zachary Yuen, Nils Moser and Max Moline.

“Zach is a highly skilled prospect who has impressed us from Day 1 of camp,” explained Tory. “He works extremely hard and will be a valuable asset to our team.”

Dow, a 5’8 160 lb defenseman, Alberta, played for the Calgary Buffaloes AAA Midget team last season, finishing fifth on the club in scoring (11-11-22-54) and was named an AMHL all-star. Dow, a native of Calgary, helped guide the Buffaloes to the 2009 League, Provincial and Pacific Regional Championships and a second place finish at the Telus Cup, Canada’s National Midget AAA Championships.

“Drydn is a smaller, skilled defenseman who likes to jump into the rush,” Tory continued. “He will develop into an offensive presence on our back end.”

Both players are currently attending the Americans’ main camp and will participate in both the Everett and Tri-City pre-season tournaments.Prince George, BC - The Prince George Cougars are very proud to announce the signing of 16-year old defenceman Mattia Bortolotto to a standard Western Hockey League contract.

Bortolotto becomes the first 16-year old American to sign with the Cougars. The product of San Mateo, California is 5’9” tall and weighs 190 pounds and played last season with the San Jose Jr. Sharks Midget Under-18 team, where he will play again this year. His coach in San Jose is Cougars scout Tony Zasowski.

“This is a very exciting day for the Cougars organization to get a player of Mattia Bortolotto’s caliber,” says Cougars Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel Wade Klippenstein. “Mattia is one of the best young defencemen in the state of California and we can’t wait to see him in a Cougars uniform. He is an excellent compliment to an already blooming young defence corps with Jesse Forsberg, Josh Smith, Dane Phaneuf and Shane Pilling.”

Bortolotto is equally excited about becoming a future Cougar. “This has been a dream of mine to play in the Western Hockey League. I’m really glad to join the organization. After being in Prince George and hanging out with some of the players, I feel like I’ll fit in perfect with the team. I’m just really excited that I signed.”

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