Bakersfield, CA - The Bakersfield Condors, official ECHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, announced today they have agreed to terms with D Tyler Scott, F Dale Reinhardt and RW Liam Huculak. The announcement was made by Head Coach Marty Raymond.
Scott, 28, rejoins the Condors after spending last season in Grenoble, France. A Rockville, Maryland native, Scott spent part of 2005-06 and all of 2006-07 in Condorstown, racking up 14 goals and 37 points in 94 games. He added seven points in 24 career playoff games for Bakersfield, tied for fifth in Condors history for post-season appearances. Scott has 24g-38a-62pts in 194 career games.
"I'm excited about coming back to Bakersfield," said Scott. "Out of all the places I've played this is the place I most wanted to come back to. Everything from the coaches to the organization and the fans... To play in front of the crowds that we do at Rabobank Arena makes it a lot more enjoyable."
Reinhardt, 22, returns to Bakersfield where he made his professional debut at the end of last season. The Holy Cross grad and Livingston, NJ native made an immediate impact after joining the club last March, recording five goals and seven points in just nine games to help the Condors surge down the stretch and qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Reinhardt recorded a hat trick on March 28, which included a shorthanded goal, and earned the admiration of Condors fans with his hard work on the ice.
"I'm really excited to come back," said Reinhardt. "The fans were unbelievable, the weather was unbelievable, and we really put a good run together at the end of the season. Now with the affiliation it's exciting for the program as well. I'm really looking forward to coming out there so we can get after it!"
Huculak, 25, spent his rookie season last year with the Idaho Steelheads and Columbia Inferno, who are not playing in 2008-09. Combined last season, he skated in 57 games, recording 16 points (6g-10a) with 114 penalty minutes, which included 16 major penalties. Huculak added two goals and 14 penalty minutes in 13 Kelly Cup Playoff Games as well. The 6-foot-5-inch, 220-pound winger hails from Lethbridge, Alberta, and played four seasons at Colgate University, where he majored in geography and minored in theater.
"I've heard nothing but good things about the community, the fans and the organization," said Huculak. "Now with the Anaheim affiliation, I know they like their big guys, and hopefully I can fit in there and help win some games for the Condors. I'm probably not the kind of guy that's going to put up 50 points but hopefully I can chip in and play physical and mix it up a bit."
"Tyler is another former Condor (in addition to Dave Bonk) that played in Europe last season and wanted to come back to Bakersfield," said Raymond. "He made quite an impression in his first stint with us a couple years ago, and we're looking for him to be a part of a good defensive corps for us.
"As everyone knows, Mr. Reinhardt is a great young hockey player who really helped our program out last season. We are looking for even more from him this season; he's very smart and gritty and fits the mold of our type of player. And with Huculak, we felt we needed a physical presence who can play as well. Bakersfield fans will like him, and he aspires to go to the next level."
