Nurse and Halagian Commit to Greyhounds

Press Release

Soo Greyhounds General Manager Kyle Dubas has announced that the organization has reached contract agreements with two players in preparation of the 2011-12 Ontario Hockey League season.

DARNELL NURSE (1st Round, 2011 OHL Priority Selection) and NICK HALAGIAN (3rd Round, 2011 OHL Priority Selection) have both been signed to Standard Player Agreements by the club in advance of the team’s training camp in August,

"Being able to gain full commitments and sign Darnell and Nicholas today should be a clear message to those in hockey who say we will have a tough time getting players to come to Sault Ste. Marie that they are wrong. I can say with great conviction after having had the opportunity to travel the world while working in hockey over the previous 8 years that there is no better place to develop as a person and as a hockey player than in Sault Ste. Marie” began Dubas.

Nurse, a native of Hamilton ONTARIO, stands 6’3” while weighing 175 lbs.
In 38 regular season games played in 2010-11 he had 11 goals and 18 assists, good for 29 points to go along with 72 penalty minutes. At the OHL Cup, the left-shooting rearguard tallied 1 goal and 2 assists good for 3 points in 4 games played.

"Darnell is a 90's student and obviously showed what he could was capable of on the ice here at our Spring Development Camp just over two weeks ago. Prior to the draft Darnell and his parents had some reservations about the distance between Sault Ste. Marie and their home in Hamilton. That he has signed an OHL Standard Player Contract today is a testament to his character and his passion for the game and to become a professional on and off the ice” explained Dubas.

Halagian, a member of the St. Catherine’s Falcons, registered 26 goals and 17 assists, for 43 points in 52 games played. The left-winger stands 6'0" while weighing 190 lbs.

"Nick is a student with a 96% average at the academic level. He came into the Spring Development Camp and showed the combination of character, speed, size and skill which had our entire scouting staff so excited when Nick was available when we picked early in the 3rd round. Nick also showed a bit of a mean streak at the Development Camp and that combined with the work ethic instilled in him from his parents made us push to get him signed as soon as possible” concluded Dubas.

Both Darnell and Nick will report to Sault Ste. Marie later this summer in preparation for the opening day of Training Camp 2011 on Wednesday, August 31st.

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