Muskeon, MI - The Muskegon Fury added to their offensive arsenal with the signing today of forward Jason Baird for the 2008-09 season. "Jason is a gritty winger that perfectly fits the mold of player we're looking for," Fury General Manager Tim Taylor said. "He's got good size and great hands, and he's a proven scorer."
Baird (6-foot-1, 205 lbs.) has consistently been a scorer in his seven-year career, with 382 points (136g, 246a) in 383 games. He also has 24 points (10g, 14a) in 32 career playoff games. "He's a great complement to the team we're putting together," Fury coach Bruce Ramsay added. "Jason can mix it up when he has to, but he's been a point-a-game scorer for several years now. Our fans and our opponents will take notice when he's on the ice."
Baird, 27, joins the Fury after playing the last six seasons in the Central Hockey League, most recently with the Youngstown Steelhounds. Before a mid-season trade to Youngstown last year, Baird played in parts of four seasons with the Corpus Christi Rayz. In 2004-05 with the Rayz, he was the only player in the CHL to register at least 70 points (74) and 200 penalty minutes (222). He posted career-highs in goals (30) and penalty minutes that season, just a year after setting a career-high with 52 assists with the Indianapolis Ice. Before turning pro, Baird spent four seasons with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, where he recorded 218 points (87g, 131a) and 699 PIM in 245 games.
Terms of Baird's contract were not released.
