BILOXI, Miss. � Mississippi Sea Wolves general manager and coach Bob Woods announced today the signing of free agent defenseman Mike Martone (MAHR-tohn).
Martone, 26, served as Sea Wolves captain during the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons and was a member of Mississippi�s 1998-99 Kelly Cup Championship team. The 6-foot-3 and 215-pound Martone played the last two years for St. Francis Xavier University of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport highlighted by being a member of 2004 University Cup Championship team and named CIS Tournament All-Star. In 27 games last season, Martone tallied one goal, eight points and 97 penalty minutes. In 1999-00, the native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario was named Mississippi�s Defensive Player of the Year and won his first of back-to-back awards as the Sea Wolves Ralph Coburn Community Service winner. During the 2000-01 campaign, his last season of professional hockey, Martone tied for the Sea Wolves team lead in plus/minus with a +12 and was named Mississippi�s Fan Favorite. Martone was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the fourth round, 106th overall, in 1996.
�It�s going to be great to play again for the Sea Wolves,� said Martone. �Other ECHL teams called me, but I knew that if I decided to return to the league, it would only be for Mississippi. The Kelly Cup ring that I have from 1999 has a lot of great memories and I would like to be a part of more special moments this season.�
�Mike is a blast from the past,� said Woods. �He was a big part of the Kelly Cup team in 1999 and had three good years here. Martone is a solid defensive player that brings a lot of leadership on and off the ice. We�re excited that Martone is coming back to the professional ranks with us.�
Martone is the eighth player signed by the Sea Wolves for 2004-05, joining defensemen Milt Mastad and Austin Miller, forwards Anthony Battaglia, Nicolas Corbeil, Lucas Drake and Louis Dumont along with goaltender Randy Hevey.
Mississippi opens its ninth ECHL season on October 22 at home against the Louisiana IceGators at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Call (228) 275-WOLF to reserve your season ticket with just a $25 down payment.
Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling (228) 388-6151.
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