Kuster, 30, joins the Muskegon Fury after playing several years in the Central Hockey League, most recently with the Austin Ice Bats. The veteran will be playing in his 11th professional season this year for the Fury.

"Henry is a solid veteran forward that provides size with a scoring touch," Fury coach Bruce Ramsay said. "He has the potential to be very good and has had an outstanding career in the Central Hockey League. If we can get the production from him that he has had in the past, we'll have a very valuable player that brings solid leadership to the organization."

Kuster (6-foot-1, 228 lbs.) is originally a second round draft pick of the Boston Bruins (#45 overall) in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. Before turning pro, he played five junior seasons in the Western Hockey League. Kuster then split his first two pro seasons between the ECHL and CHL before latching on with the San Antonio Iguanas of the CHL for two seasons. From 2000 to 2004, he compiled four straight 20-goal seasons with San Antonio and Amarillo, before a knee injury limited him to eight games in 2004-05. The following season, Kuster notched a career-high 75 points (35g, 40a), finishing among the league's top 20 scorers. He was named the Ice Bats' team captain before the 2006-07 season and led the team with 26 goals and 56 points. Last season, he totaled 38 points (11g, 27a) in 54 games for Austin.

Kirschner, 21, will make his professional debut with the Muskegon Fury after a two-year stint at the University of Connecticut. His 2007-08 season was cut short by injury, though his one goal in three games was a game-winner for the Huskies. In his freshman season, Kirchner (5-10, 180) notched 12 points (6g, 6a) in 33 games for UConn. Previous to his college career, Kirchner starred for the Jersey Hitmen of the Eastern Junior Hockey League, where he led the team in scoring two straight seasons. In 97 games over two years with the Hitmen, Kirschner notched 101 points (42g, 59a) and just 56 penalty minutes.

"Alec Kirschner had an outstanding junior career in the EJHL," Ramsay said. "He also had a very good freshman year at UConn. Alec is a talented forward that has tremendous upside, and with his rookie status, he will be a positive addition to this team." The Fury now have 20 players signed for the 2008-09 season. Muskegon opens the regular season on October 18 at home against the Port Huron Icehawks.