Oklahoma City, OK - The Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League signed defensemen Tyler Harder and Jason Seerey to contracts, head coach Doug Sauter announced today.
Harder,
a 6-2, 210-pounder from Steinbach, Manitoba was acquired from the
Laredo Bucks late last season. With Oklahoma City, he played in 14
games, recording two points and serving 81 penalty minutes before a
late-season injury sidelined him. In 36 games last season between
Laredo and Oklahoma City, he scored three points (1-2-3) and served 150
penalty minutes. Prior to turning pro, Harder toiled at the junior
level with the Dauphin Kings in Manitoba and the Brandon Wheat Kings
and Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. The 06-07 season was
Harder's breakout season. He recorded 49 points (23-26-49) and served
343 penalty minutes in 53 games with Dauphin.
Seerey
returns to Oklahoma City for his second season as a pro. Last season
with Oklahoma City, the 6-0, 203-pounder from Nipawin, Saskatchewan
recorded four points (1-3-4) and served 66 penalty minutes in 35 games.
Seerey joined the Blazers as an amateur for the Blazers 06-07 playoff
run, appearing in seven games. Prior to turning pro, he played at the
university level in Canada, splitting time between the Southern Alberta
Institute of Technology and the University of Regina. Over five seasons
and 161 games, Seerey recorded 52 points (13-39-52) and served 425
penalty minutes.
"Both of these players proved they could
play at our level last season," said Sauter. "Harder suffered an injury
late in the season, just as he was starting to get into a good rhythm
with our club. He is a guy who can play the power play, shoot the puck
hard and he is not afraid to use his size. Jason Seerey showed promise
last season and I expect him to have a big camp. He understands his
role on our team and I look forward to seeing what he has to offer."