Laredo, TX - The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey
League announced Friday that they have signed rookie forwards Justin
Saulnier and Jason Dixon for the 2008-09 season. Saulnier played junior
hockey last season with the Yarmouth Mariners (MJAHL), while Dixon
spent last season playing for St. Clair College in Canada.
Saulnier was named an MJAHL First Team All-Star last season with
Yarmouth, where he put up some impressive numbers for the Kent Cup
Champions. The 5'11, 190 pound Saulnier scored 24 goals, handed out 43
assists for 67 points, to go along with 229 penalty minutes during his
2007-08 All-Star year.
"Saulnier is a tough, gritty,
and determined center iceman that can score", said Bucks Head Coach and
General Manager Terry Ruskowski. "He had a solid season last year,
where he put up good numbers. We are looking forward to him to join the
squad".
Prior to his time with Yarmouth, Saulnier, a
native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, played four junior seasons in the
QMJHL, where was drafted 63rd overall in 2003. Saulnier spent his first
three-and-a-half seasons with his hometown Halifax Mooseheads, before
playing part of the 2006-07 season with Val d'Or Foreurs.
Saulnier played 225 games
in his four years in the QMJHL, notching 36 goals, handing out 60
assists, for 96 points, to go along with 440 penalty minutes.
"I think he will fit in on our roster very nicely, we are ready to see him in a Bucks jersey".
Saulnier played in 38 QMHL career playoff games, where he put up nine points (4-5=9) and picked up 77 penalty minutes.
Dixon comes to the Bucks after playing the last two seasons with the
St. Clair College Saints, who were members of the OHA Senior "AAA"
Hockey League.
The 5'10, 180 pound Dixon scored 13
goals, handed out 27 assists, for 40 points in 2007-08. Dixon came up
with some special teams points last season for the Saints, knocking in
three power-play goals, handing out six power-play assists, and scoring
three short-handed goals.
"Dixon is small, crafty, and a go-getter", Ruskowski said. "It's tough to get the puck away from him when he's skating with it".
Dixon, a native of Belle River, Ontario, put up a combined 22 goals, 53 assists, for 75 points, in two collegiate seasons.
Prior to his days with the Saints, Dixon played three seasons for the
OHL's Windsor Spitfires, where he put up a total of 52 points in 167
career games. With the Spitfires, Dixon scored 15 goals, handed out 37
assists, for 52 points.
"We are looking forward to
having him come to camp, he can fit in on our roster", Ruskowski said.
"My scout saw him and, I can't wait to see him on the ice".
