BILOXI, Miss. � Mississippi Sea Wolves head coach and director of hockey operations Steffon Walby announced today that the team has signed centers Casey Bartzen and Matt Craig.
Bartzen, 26, finished his fourth year with the University of British Columbia in 2004-05 of Canadian Interuniversity Sport in Vancouver, British Columbia by scoring two goals and adding 31 assists in 35 games, while accumulating 14 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-10 and 210-pound Bartzen also made his professional debut by appearing in two games with the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL. A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Bartzen played the 1999-00 campaign with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association where he tallied three goals, 10 points and 18 penalty minutes in 33 college games.
�I am excited to join Mississippi,� said Bartzen. �I spoke to a number of teams and had other opportunities, but I wanted to become part of the Sea Wolves because I�ve heard a lot of great things. I got my feet wet in a couple professional games with Victoria last season and I think that experience will benefit me for the upcoming season.�
�Casey is going to bring a lot of excitement with his speed and playmaking,� Walby said. �He has a great work ethic and takes pride in his conditioning.�
Craig, 23, wrapped up four years in 2004-05 with Quinnipiac of the National Collegiate Athletic Association by tying for the team lead with 18 goals. A native of London, Ontario, Craig also added 18 assists for a total of 36 points, plus 14 penalty minutes in 37 games. The 6-foot and 195-pound Craig finished his junior season as the team leader with 13 goals and 25 points, while as a sophomore he tied for the league lead in scoring with 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) and was named to the First-Team All-MAAC (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Craig led all freshmen in league scoring in 2001-02 with 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) and was named the 2002 MAAC Tournament MVP.
�I am really excited to sign my first professional contract,� said Craig. �I take pride in playing at both ends of the rink. I�ve heard Mississippi has great fans and is an exciting place to play. I can�t wait to get started.�
�Matt is a gifted natural goal scorer,� Walby said. �He has good speed and size and I anticipate seeing him on the power play.�
The Bartzen and Craig signings give the Sea Wolves seven players under contract for the 2005-06 season, joining left wing Anthony Battaglia, right wing Jay Legault, defenseman Chris Cava, center Olivier Filion and left wing Lucas Drake.
Mississippi opens its 10th Anniversary season on the road at Pensacola on October 22.
The Sea Wolves drop the puck on their home opener on October 28 against Texas at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Reserve your piece of the exciting, hard-hitting Sea Wolves hockey action by purchasing 2005-06 season tickets starting at $306 per seat for an adult, which is just $8.50 per game and $240 for a child, an average of $6.67 per game.
A 10 percent deposit will lock in your season ticket today by calling (228) 275-WOLF. Each season ticket also includes two free �Bring a Pal to the Pack� vouchers.
Group discounts are also available by telephone at (228) 275-WOLF. Individual game ticket prices will be released in October.
Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling (228) 388-6151.
