Muskegon, MI - The Muskegon Fury today
announce the return of goaltender Clayton Pool and the signing of
rookie forwards Calvin Fiddler and Joseph Cook for the 2008-09 season.
Pool
returns to the Fury for his fifth season as one of the most decorated
goaltenders in franchise history. His career record with the Fury is
101-52-16 with a .909 save percentage. His 101 wins and 183 games
played are second in Fury history behind Sylvain Daigle, while his
eight shutouts are tied with Joe Dimaline and Daigle for most in
franchise history.
"We are very excited to have Clayton Pool
back," Fury coach Bruce Ramsay said. "With the combination of Clayton
and Isaac Reichmuth, we feel we have two Number 1 goaltenders who will
have a healthy competition. This gives us two goalies that will give
the team confidence every game this season.
"The plus is Clayton
and Isaac are friends. Clayton has done a great job in Muskegon in the
past, and we look forward to a bright future."
Last season, Pool rejoined the Fury in December of 2007 after beginning
the year with the Colorado Eagles of the CHL and finished with a record
of 21-22-1-2, including two shutouts. He posted a .904 save percentage
and a 3.18 goals against average, and was twice named the IHL's
goaltender of the week. Pool was 1-1 with a .929 save percentage and a
2.44 GAA in the playoffs last season. He also set a new franchise
record when he stopped 53 shots in a 4-3 overtime victory at the Flint
Generals on January 13.
Pool
won the Fury Rookie of the Year Award in 2004-05, with a 18-6-5 record,
a 2.37 GAA, .914 save percentage and two shutouts. During his five-year
University of Alberta career, he led the Golden Bears to five
consecutive championships, posting a record of 99-15-3 in 136 career
games for a win percentage of .831. His college career GAA was 2.17
with .916 SPCT and a school-record 18 shutouts.
Cook and Fiddler will both make their professional debuts with the Fury
this season after junior hockey careers with the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
"Calvin
Fiddler and Joseph Cook are two young rookies out of the SJHL that
bring a lot of grit and tenacity to our team," Ramsay added. "Joseph
Cook was one of the toughest players in the league last year, and comes
highly recommended from Jon Mirasty's agent. Calvin Fiddler has a ton
of skill and definitely plays with an edge. They will be exciting to
watch."
In four years with La Ronge, Cook made a name for himself
as a bruising forward, twice surpassing the 200 penalty minute mark.
His top season with the Ice Wolves was 2006-07, when he set
career-highs in games (54), goals (6) assists (6), points (12) and
penalty minutes (251). In four seasons with La Ronge, Cook played 132
games, recording 11 goals, 14 assists and 545 penalty minutes.
Fiddler's
statistics improved each of his three years with the Ice Wolves. He
posted career highs in every major category last season, including 41
points (19g, 22a) and 166 penalty minutes in 55 games. In his three
years with LaRonge, Fiddler totaled 153 games, 33 goals, 42 assists, 75
points and 274 penalty minutes. Fiddler also showed off his versatility
with the Ice Wolves, filling in on defense when necessary.