Laredo, TX - The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey
League announced Tuesday that they have signed rookie forward Ryan
Fuller for the 2008-09 season. Fuller spent the last four seasons
playing junior hockey with the Texas Tornadoes (NAHL).
Fuller was selected to participate in the NAHL's Top Prospects Tournament last February in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In his four seasons with the Tornadoes, the 6'3, 215 pound Fuller put
up a total of 119 points, scoring 66 goals, while handing out 53
assists in 213 games. In his career with Texas Fuller contributed 28
power-play goals, and 20 power-play assists. Fuller's 213 games played
are the most in Tornadoes franchise history.
"He
(Fuller) is a talented, young player, who has a lot of raw talent",
said Bucks Head Coach and General Manager Terry Ruskowski. "He's a big
guy, who could pay big dividends for us".
Fuller
helped lead the Tornadoes to back-to-back National Championships in
2005 and 2006, as Texas went to the postseason in each of his four
years on the roster. In 34 career playoff games with the Tornadoes,
Fuller scored nine goals and handed out seven assists (four PPA) for 16
points, including five game-winning goals.
"He
(Fuller) knows how to win and was a dominant force in our league
(NAHL)," said former Tornadoes Head coach and General Manager Dwight
Mullins.
Prior to the 2007-08 season Fuller attended
training camp with the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels. He
returned to the Tornadoes in time to start last season, where he scored
10 goals, handed out 18 assists for 28 points, in 58 games for the
Texas junior squad, while picking up a career high 114 penalty minutes.
The Morgan Hill, California native had his most
productive offensive season, leading the team in scoring in 2006-07
when he eclipsed the 50-point plateau, tallying 58 points. Fuller
scored 28 goals and handed out 30 assists that season (06-07),
including 11 power-play goals, and 17 power-play assists.
"Fuller has a great attitude. Absolutely wonderful attitude. He is
excited to come down here and learn and fight for his spot", Ruskowski
said.
During his first three seasons with the
Tornadoes Fuller increased his numbers every year. In his first season
in 2004-05 he had eight points (5-3=8) in 43 games, in 2005-06 he put
up 25 points (10-15=25) in 54 games, and in 2006-07 he scored 58 points
(28-30-58) in 59 games.
"We will see where Fuller
fits in with us when training camp starts. We are excited to get him
here, and see what he's got", Ruskowski said.
Fuller is the 11th player to join the Bucks roster for the 2008-09 season, which includes seven rookies.
