BILOXI, Miss. � Mississippi Sea Wolves general manager and coach Bob Woods announced today the team has signed free agent defenseman Lee Jacobson.
Jacobson, 23, did not play professional hockey last season, while focusing on an amateur boxing career, where he has a perfect 6-0 record. In 2002-03, the 6-foot-4 and 230-pound Jacobson suited up in 64 games with the Fort Worth Brahmas of the Central Hockey League racking up 273 penalty minutes and tied for fourth in the league with 31 major penalties. A native of Chicago, Jacobson also tallied one goal and nine points with Fort Worth.
�I�m excited to have the opportunity to play in the ECHL,� said Jacobson. �Boxing kept me sharp as far as conditioning. Coming back to professional hockey this year will give me a gauge to see how I measure up against tough guys in a new league. I take pride when I have more major penalties than minors. I can�t wait to show the fans what I bring on the ice.�
�Jacobson has the size and reputation to take care of business on the ice,� said Woods. �With Roger Maxwell going to play in Quebec, Canada, we were looking for a guy to provide toughness. We think Lee can be the guy to fill the void.�
Jacobson is the 21st player to sign with Mississippi for the 2004-05 season. He joins defensemen Chris Cava, Kerry Ellis-Toddington, Mike Jarmuth, Jason Kean, Mike Martone, Milt Mastad and Austin Miller. Forwards signed to one-year deals consist of Anthony Battaglia, Darryl Campbell, Nicolas Corbeil, Bobby Cunningham, Lucas Drake, Louis Dumont, Jeff Hutchins, Jay Legault, Travis Lisabeth and Tristan Lush along with goaltenders Brian Gallagher, Randy Hevey and Jason Wolfe.
Training camp on-ice sessions, which are open to the public, begin at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
The Sea Wolves get their ninth ECHL season underway at home on Friday, October 22 against the Louisiana IceGators at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Season ticket packages are on sale by calling (228) 275-WOLF or online at msseawolves.com.
To set up an appointment for sponsorship opportunities call (228) 388-6151.
