Jr. K-Wings make slew of roster moves

The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings announced Tuesday a number of roster transactions that have been completed in the last 24 hours.

First, forward Nolan Culver has been traded to the Bay State Breakers of the Eastern Junior Hockey League for future considerations. Culver had seen action in 15 games during the season, in which he was able to post three goals and five assists for eight points while playing to a +4 rating. The 19-year-old Sylvania, Ohio native will head out to Rockland, Mass., to play with the Tier III Junior A team.

In a separate transaction, Kalamazoo has shipped Jacob McDowell to the Fresno Monsters (NAHL) for forward Mikhail Bushinski. Bushinski is a 20-year-old native of Woodbury, Minn., who was the leading scorer for the Monsters at the time of the trade. He is a two-year veteran of the NAHL and was fourth on the team in scoring last season (17 goals, 16 assists, 33 points). Bushinski also showed great durability last season as he was the only member of Fresno that played in all 60 regular-season games. He is set to make his debut on Saturday against the Port Huron Fighting Falcons.

 In yet another move, Kalamazoo traded future considerations to the Wenatchee Wild (NAHL) for defenseman Brendan Vetter, an 18-year-old defenseman who hails from Fon Du Lac, Wis. He, too, has a year of NAHL experience under his belt, but has only dressed in two games this year due to injury. In 55 career games, he has 14 points (14 assists) and is a career +9. He was a former teammate of Jr. K-Wing Sam Johnson and also played alongside Brett Beauvais at last year's NAHL Top Prospects Tournament for the 18U Selects team.

Lastly, Kalamazoo has released defenseman Donovan Gardiner.

Muskegon's Foguth picks MSU Mavericks

The Muskegon Lumberjacks have announced that defenseman Carter Foguth has decided to play his college hockey for the Minnesota State Mavericks of the WCHA beginning in the 2013-14 season.

This season, Foguth currently has two points (goal, assist) in ten games with Lumberjacks.

The first two years with the team, Foguth accumulated eleven points (one goal and ten assists) in 89 games.

“I am very excited for being given the opportunity to play hockey at the college level; the coaching staff and players at the university made me feel welcome and right at home,” said Foguth. “It has been a long journey for my family and I and I am grateful to have received an immense amount of support from the Mervis family and the Muskegon Lumberjacks.”

Foguth was acquired by the Lumberjacks in free agency in July of 2010 and is in his third season with the team. Prior to coming to the Lumberjacks, Foguth spent the 2009-10 season with the Marquette Rangers of the NAHL, where he tallied nine points (one goal and eight assists) in 45 games.

Kalamazoo adds Swedish goalie Due-Boje

The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings have announced the addition of Swedish goaltender Marcus Due-Boje.

The 19-year-old has an extensive resume, including representing Sweden at the U18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament and the U17 World Hockey Challenge.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound netminder hasn’t had a taste of hockey in the states, aside from his brief stint in the USHL during the preseason with the Tri-City Storm.

While playing with Djurgarden J20 in Stockholm last season, Due-Boje appeared in 30 games, posting a goals-against average of 2.63 and a save percentage of .904.

Due-Boje is the son of Christian Due-Boje, a member of the Swedish team that won the gold medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Newcomer Sergott back home with Hounds

Trevor Sergott has come home to the Hartland Hounds.

After starting the season in the Eastern Junior Hockey League with the Bay State Breakers, Sergott wanted more of an opportunity and decided to return to the friendly confines of home where the Hounds were more than welcoming.

“I heard about the Hounds from some of my old teammates from Howell High School who now play on the Hounds,” said Sergott. “I also know (Hartland coach) Randy Montrose from playing for him (at Howell) my freshman and junior years, so I know what kinds of systems he runs and what to expect.

“I am no stranger in the Hounds locker room. I have played with the majority of the guys before and two of my teammates, Jake Henrikson and Scott Augustyn, have been my best friends throughout all of high school.”

And if the surname Sergott sounds familiar, it should.

Keith Sergott, Trevor’s father, is a longtime CCHA referee and worked the 2012 Frozen Four. He also played at Ferris State University in the 1980s.

The younger Sergott, who also played AAA hockey for Belle Tire and Victory Honda, wants to make a name for himself as well.

“I am an offensive defenseman who likes to rush the puck, but also loves to play physical,” said Sergott. “I play hard every game and always think of myself as being hard to play against. I don’t look for fights, but I will always protect my teammates and drop the gloves if necessary.”

“Trevor is a very exciting player,” said Montrose. “He loves to hit and opponents always take note when he’s on the ice. He is a very honest player and a very hard-working player. I have seen him develop immensely over the years and so far, he has made the transition to junior hockey a seamless one.”

Doing whatever it takes to help the Hounds get two points each night is the ultimate goal for Sergott and if some individual success results, it’ll be gravy.

“This season from a personal standpoint, I hope to talk to some Division III schools and hopefully, get some offers,” Sergott said. “From a team standpoint, I expect nothing less than a national championship.”

Britton adds size to Metro blue line

Derek Britton came to the Metro Jets by way of a trade from the Toledo Cherokee in late August and he has helped to solidify a blue line that was perhaps average at best coming into the season.

Britton has done more than just add depth to the Jets’ defense. He has brought a much-needed size factor (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) and usually is matched up with the opponent’s top line most nights.

For Britton, though, the trade back to his home state wasn’t something he requested, but was something he gladly accepted.

”The trade occurred because there were many obligations I had close to home,” said Britton, a 19-year-old Sterling Heights native. “I was enrolled in college courses, working full time and had an old car that couldn’t make the commute to Toledo. Although (Toledo) coach (Scott) Syring had wanted me on his team, he was willing to make the trade and encouraged me to keep playing hockey.

“I did not set out to be traded, but I knew it needed to be done if I wanted to keep playing. I feel lucky to have had two great coaches last year and this year who push to get the most out of me. It was nice that they put my best interests ahead of everything.”

In the deal, the Jets sent defenseman Zach Schlacht to the Cherokee.

Through 10 games, Britton feels he has found his role with the Jets and is fitting on with his new teammates.

“This Jets team has a mix of experienced and talented young players,” explained Britton. “It has been very easy to adjust because I have played with and against some of my teammates. I was also familiar with (Metro) coach (Jason) Cirone and his expectations from past tryouts and speaking with friends who have played for him. I feel I fit in well with this team by supporting our defensive line and providing leadership for the younger players. I try to teach them what I have learned from my past and teach them to work hard every shift.”

And if the old adage that states hard work pays off holds true, Britton will see it happen in Waterford first-hand.

”My personal target is to keep working hard to improve my skills to make it to college or the next level,” said Britton. “I will do this by defending our side of the ice in any situation. My main focus is to stop scoring chances against us by getting the puck to our forwards as fast as possible. I need to make sure I am in the right position at all times for positive results.

”From a team standpoint, we need to keep working hard in practice so the wins keep coming to make it to the finals. I know this is tough, but we can do it if we work hard and do our jobs on the ice. This can and will happen if we work together as a team.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

The Jets sat idle last weekend after sweeping the Quad City Jr. Flames Oct. 13-14 at Lakeland Arena.

Metro (4-6-0-0) hosts the Flint Jr. Generals Friday night at 7:50 p.m. at home in its lone game of the weekend.

“Flint is always a good team,” said Metro captain Matt Stirling. “We always seem to have close games with them and they always bring a good effort every time we play them. With one game this week, we need to leave it all out on the ice to get the two points.”

JET STREAKS

Through 10 games this season, forward Travis Hargett has scored six goals – equaling his total goal output his first two seasons when he played 76 games.

Forward Doug Andrews has recorded a point in all but one game this season. His 17 points are good for a sixth-place tie among league scoring leaders.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? 

Dwight Parrish, a forward from the early days of the Jets’ franchise, retired from a long pro career in 2009 that saw stops in the American Hockey League, International Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and in England.

Parrish, a 40-year-old Southfield native, also skated four years at Ferris State University from 1992-96.

His No. 17 jersey was retired by the Elite Ice Hockey League’s Manchester (England) Phoenix in 2009.

Port Huron announces coaching change

The Port Huron Fighting Falcons have announced that head coach and general manager Steve Shannon has been relieved of his duties by the team effective immediately.

Assistant coach Michael Gershon has been named the interim head coach and general manager by owner/governor Maribeth Hayes.

Gershon (pictured) met with and informed the Port Huron players about the decision on Tuesday afternoon.

“For us moving forward, it is business as usual right now as we prepare for a big series this weekend against the Jamestown Ironmen,” said Gershon. “I think in order to maintain stability, we just need to focus on what we can control on the ice. The team is off to a good start and has been playing well, so we are looking forward to the series and focusing solely on that.”

Falcons' Miller commits to Lake Superior

The Port Huron Fighting Falcons have announced the commitment of forward Ian Miller to play next season at Lake Superior State University (CCHA).

Miller, a Fraser native, is currently in his third year with the Fighting Falcons after being acquired from the Michigan Warriors during the 2010-11 season. Miller had a breakout year in 2012, leading the team in goals (26) and was second in points (38).

Currently, Miller is second in scoring on the Falcons with eight points (three goals, five assists) in 14 games.

“I congratulate Ian Miller on his commitment to Lake Superior State," said Port Huron coach-GM Steve Shannon. "His hard work and dedication has paid off and I believe he will have a very fine college career.”

Miller is the first player to commit to college this season for the Fighting Falcons.

Jr. K-Wings' defender Beauvais picks BSU

The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings have announced that defenseman Brett Beauvais has committed to play college hockey at Bemidji State University (WCHA).

Beauvais, an 18-year-old playing in his second year in the NAHL, got himself initially noticed with a fantastic rookie year last season in which he played in all 60 regular season games, posting 20 points (four goals, 16 assists).

As the youngest player on the Kalamazoo roster, he made an immediate impact on the back end for the Jr. K-Wings. He was able to perform in special teams situations and was always a steady defenseman with great puck-moving ability. He was also a member of the NAHL’s Top Prospects Young Guns team.

Beauvais, a Summerside, PEI, native, also had a spectacular 2012 NAHL Showcase tournament in front of over 200 scouts from all levels, by producing five assists in four games for Kalamazoo. So far on the season, Beauvais has six points in nine games played.

“Brett has established himself as one of the top defenseman in the NAHL,” said Kalamazoo coach Marc Fakler. “Our organization is proud of Brett for achieving this tremendous opportunity. We look forward to Brett continuing the season as a leader of this team.”

Beauvais becomes the second Jr. K-Wing to already make a college commitment during the 2012-13 season, joining Robbie Payne, who will play at Northern Michigan University.

Photo courtesy NAHL

Jets' newcomer Campbell making mark

Aksel Campbell has gone from Colorado to Pittsburgh to Waterford in just over two months’ time.

One of the newest Metro Jets’ defensemen, Campbell is hoping his latest stop is his last this season.

Acquired by the Jets from the Three Rivers Vengeance two weeks ago, Campbell has taken to Metro’s systems in a heartbeat and is excited at the potential the Jets have shown in his four games so far.

“I was very surprised by the trade from Pittsburgh, but I know that (Three Rivers) coach Brian (Cersosimo) is doing what he thinks is best for me and I have a lot of respect for him as a coach,” said Campbell, an 18-year-old native of Lone Tree, Colo. ”I didn’t realize I was going to be moving out until about the middle of last year. I hadn’t even looked into juniors until my last year of high school. It was a tough decision to move so far from home, but it has been worth it.”

Campbell played six games with the Vengeance after joining the team as a rookie this season. According to Jets’ coach Jason Cirone, Campbell has looked anything but like a rookie in his four games since the trade.

“Aksel has been fitting in really good for us,” said Cirone. “I thought our ‘D’ was a concern at the beginning of the year and now it’s starting to round itself out with the additions of (Brian) Ziola, (Josh) Hosking and Aksel. All these guys bring a dimension to our team that we really missed and lacked in the beginning.”

Campbell is the first Colorado native to suit up for the Jets since Jimmy Sanders in the early 2000s and Chance Thede, who went on to play in goal for Division I American International College, in the mid-1990s.

Campbell feels he can be an offensive defenseman for the Jets and said he likes moving the puck in the offensive zone from the point to try and create scoring chances for the forwards.

Getting acclimated with the Waterford area has been on Campbell’s agenda as well.

”Waterford is different than home, but there are still some similarities,” Campbell said. “I really like all the people out here and the cold winter is a lot like winter in Colorado.”

Now entrenched on Metro’s back end, Campbell wants to get down to business and help tack on a few more wins for the Jets.

”I’m going to strive for team success this season and try to grow as much as I can as a player,” explained Campbell. “I just have to keep working hard so I can try to move to the next level. “So far, everything with the Jets has been great and I have been getting along really well with all the guys. Coach Cirone has been great, too, I’m excited to see where we can take it as a team this year.”

Kerr making plays, getting into the grind

Thomas Kerr is the type of player fans notice right from the get-go.

Kerr, a forward with the Hartland Hounds, can score goals in bunches and he can rack up hits in bunches.

Or both.

So far this season for the Hounds, the 18-year-old Howell native is third on the team scoring list with 16 points on seven goals and nine assists.

“It’s hard to describe my game, but I’m an offensive player who is all about getting goals and making the plays,” said Kerr. “I like moving the puck and setting up plays, but I always will stand up for my team. I play an aggressively-natured game and am not scared to get into the grind as well.”

Kerr, who played at Howell High School for Hounds’ coach Randy Montrose, is comfortable in his Hartland surroundings.

“I know the type of coach Randy is and he always wants to see you improve and works hard to get his players to move on,” Kerr said. “If you give him 100 percent, he returns the favor. It was an easy transition for me because I’ve played for Randy and with all the boys before and I feel like I fit into the pace of juniors very well.

“This year, I hope to improve my game and give myself options to continue playing hockey at a higher junior level or in college. I just want to do as best I can for this team, work my hardest everyday and have no regrets when it comes to this season.”

As a big contributor to the 12-0-0 Hounds’ start, Kerr realizes this is still the start to what is shaping up to be a fun season.

 “On a team level, I have great expectations for this team and I know we are going to do great things this year,” said Kerr. “I don’t expect this team to have many losses and the ones we do have, I know the other team is going to have to earn every second of it. That’s how we’re coached and that’s how we want to play. Plain and simple.”

Hartland's Bodziak close to joining team

As each day goes by, Zak Bodziak is getting closer and closer to putting on a Hartland Hounds’ jersey and suiting up in a game.

It’s been a long time coming.

Bodziak injured his shoulder in a game last year with Davenport University and then decided to play for the Hounds this season. The 19-year-old forward was one of the first signings for Hartland coach Randy Montrose over the summer, but has been working instead at getting his shoulder to 100 percent.

“I haven't been doing much rehab, but more along the lines of getting in the gym and trying to strengthen the muscle to prevent future injury,” said Bodziak, a Hartland native. ”The shoulder is feeling a lot better. I am starting not to feel major soreness after I lift, so hopefully that means it will be strong for me all season. My standards are set high just like anybody else, so we will just have to wait to see what happens.”

Not being on the ice has been a difficult task for Bodziak to face. He shouldn’t have to wait much longer as he believes doctors will clear him to play towards the end of October or at the beginning of November.

“I believe since I have decided to come back and play, watching from the sidelines is not something I can do,” Bodziak said. “It is almost as if I have to been on the ice to be satisfied. I have realized hockey means a lot to me and I can't not play.”

With the Hounds storming out of the gates in the inaugural Midwest Junior Hockey League season to the tune of a perfect 9-0-0 record thus far, Bodziak is pumped to join a team that he felt would be successful back in August.

”I feel the Hounds already have a lot of offensive power and I am hoping I can add to that,” said Bodziak. “I also want to contribute to defensive-zone coverage. The only thing I am going to try to do is play my best for the team and hopefully by playing my best, something will come out of it.”

Hargett making points count for Jets

Travis Hargett is hoping the third season with the Metro Jets is the charm.

So far, it has been for the 18-year-old Clarkston native as he has been scoring more than he did his first two years and has seen his ice time increase.

“Personally, I think that this year I have made huge strides in my game in my hockey sense and my ability to score,” noted Hargett, who has five goals and an assist through eight games. “I've been playing a lot more and having the confidence knowing that (Metro coach) Jason (Cirone) trusts me enough to put me on the ice in certain situations, like when we pull our goalie. I would say that so far this year in eight games, I am happy with the way I have played, but I still know that I can do better.”

Off the ice, Hargett has become much more acclimated to the lifestyle of playing junior hockey in the North American 3 Hockey League.

 “I know what to expect when I come to practice during the week and the difference between an early-week skate and a practice right before an important weekend,” said Hargett.

In his rookie season of 2010-11, Hargett posted just seven points and last year, he had 15 points. He is on pace to record greater numbers this season and part of that notion is how offensively-gifted the Jets seem to be this season.

”At camp this year, I knew right away that our team wouldn't have a problem putting the puck in the net,” said Hargett. “Scoring goals has not been an issue for us this year, just as it wasn’t last year. With our team, it’s being consistently defensively sound for the whole game.”

Playing mostly on a forward line this season with Alex Holm and Jeff Monfils, Hargett said the trio “plays together really well.”

“I love those guys and we usually know where the other two are on the ice and we make some really good plays,” explained Hargett. “We have a lot of fun together in the locker room and off the ice, too.”

On the ice lately, the Jets have not had too much fun as the team is embroiled in a six-game losing streak that began after a season-opening sweep at home of Battle Creek. Hargett isn’t ready to push the panic button, nor does he plan on it.

”The main thing to keep the guys focused is definitely knowing that it’s not an eight-game season,” said Hargett. “We have 40 more games and I know we will be OK and things will come around. We just need to keep working hard and keep our heads up.”

Taking his own advice is also something Hargett plans on doing to help further his career and get the Jets some more notches in the win column.

”This year I want to play my best, plain and simple,” Hargett said. “I will go where the road takes me and would consider both staying in junior hockey or playing in college.”

Photo courtesy Andy Grossman/Detailed Images

Saginaw obtains OA Sutch from Colts

The Saginaw Spirit announced this week that the team has completed a deal with the Barrie Colts, obtaining overage forward Gregg Sutch from for the Spirit’s fifth-round pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.

The Newmarket, Ont., native has appeared in 213 OHL games after being the Sarnia Sting’s first-round selection (11th overall) in 2008. Sutch has recorded 27 goals, and 45 assists for 72 points along with 276 penalty minutes while suiting up for the Sting, Mississauga Majors and Colts in his OHL career.

Originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, Sutch is now a free agent in terms of his NHL status.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound forward has Memorial Cup experience going back to his days in Mississauga when the Majors hosted the event in 2011.

Sutch’s arrival brings the Spirit’s overage player number to four as he joins Garret Ross, Carlos Amestoy and Brandon Archibald.

Photo courtesy CHL Images

Jets' rookie Gambino progessing well

The Metro Jets liked forward Mike Gambino so much last season that on draft day this past June, the Jets made a major deal with Quad City to move up to No. 5 in the first round to nab the slick-skating 18-year-old from Livonia Churchill High School.

Now a few weeks into the North American 3 Hockey League season, Gambino has seven points in his first six games and seems to be fitting in well and adjusting to junior hockey.

In fact, when Metro coach Jason Cirone was asked if Gambino has played as he hoped he would, Cirone answered, “Well, yes and no.”

“On the offensive side, Gambino has done an outstanding job for us,” said Cirone. “There is no doubt about that. The reason I said ‘no’ is that I never knew the kid could play as physical as he’s been this year. He’s definitely brought a new element to our team this season.”

"The NA3 is a lot more physical than I had expected, but I like playing a physical game, so it's not a huge adjustment for me," Gambino said. "I would say this league is what I expected and then some. The guys on our team are awesome and I'm having a great time. I like to get to a good start early in the season. if I don't, then I feel pressure on myself to produce and it just makes me play worse. I am very comfortable on the ice."

At 6-foot and 185 pounds, Gambino has the size to make an impact in the NA3HL, but more than that, he’s a player that wants to keep learning and wants to get better.

"Our captain, Matt Stirling, has probably been the biggest help to me," said Gambino. "If there's anything that I'm doing in practice, in games, or even the locker room that I should be doing, he always has something to say to help me out."

“He has great speed and you always need that up front at any level of hockey,” said Cirone. “Mike is also learning to play well in his own end and that’s something good players do – they excel on both sides of the puck and in all three zones.

“I think Gambino is the type of player North American Hockey League teams want and I think if he keeps improving as much as he has so far, he will have his pick of NAHL teams for next season.”

Hounds' Schumacher has lofty goals

Bobby Schumacher says he’s comfortable playing at the junior level for the Hartland Hounds and said he’s adapted to the pace of the Midwest Junior Hockey League from the high school level where he played for four years.

Schumacher captained the Lakeland High School squad (pictured) to its first regional championship in 32 years last spring and wants to taste that same measure of success with the Hounds this season.

“I wound up playing for the Hounds through my old coach (at Lakeland, Tim Ronayne) telling me about (Hartland coach-GM Randy) Montrose building up a new team and I was interested. His teams (at Howell High School) were always powerhouses, so I had to try out.”

Playing high school hockey and then making the jump to the MWJHL is something Schumacher attributes to his work ethic.

“High school hockey prepared me for juniors because I was always skating,” Schumacher said. “We had hockey everyday and it only got me better. Also, the more I played hockey the more confident I was and it transferred over to juniors. My four years at Lakeland were a great experience. I loved being able to see my teammates in class and the chemistry we would build no matter what grade you were in.”

This season actually started off with a bump, quite literally.

In the Hounds’ second game of the season in Holland against the River Bandits, things got testy late in the game and Schumacher was on the receiving end of what most feel should be eliminated from hockey altogether and ended up at the hospital with a broken nose.

“The situation unfolded when I was chirping some player for running into my goalie and someone came up from behind me and sucker-punched me in the face," said Schumacher. "It was cheap, but I will have to learn better how to protect myself and understand that stuff like this can happen in junior hockey. As of right now, I'm not fully recovered from my broken nose and it's still vulnerable and easy to break."

Personal issues aside, all Schumacher wants to do this season is win and with a perfect 7-0-0 record so far, that’s all Hartland is doing.

“My expectations from a team standpoint are that we are accomplishing what we wanted to do,” said Schumacher. “We have won all our games and are in first place and that will be our expectation for the rest of the year. We want to be the best team in the MWJHL, win the league and be a powerhouse.”

Payne decides on Northern Michigan

The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings have announced that forward Robbie Payne has committed to play college hockey at Northern Michigan University.

 Payne, a 19-year-old forward from Gaylord, has been a huge asset to the success of the Kalamazoo scoring attack. After starting in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Soo Eagles, Payne had a breakout rookie campaign in the NAHL in 2011-12.

Last season, he was able to tally 26 goals and 29 assists for 55 points, which was good enough for second on the team. He also led the team with nine power-play goals.

In a game against the Jamestown Ironmen, Payne set a league-high with seven points in one contest (three goals, four assists).

“Robbie is certainly known as a tremendously gifted offensive player, but we also know that he is reliable in all situations,” said Kalamazoo head coach Marc Fakler. “Northern Michigan is not only getting a hard-working and talented young hockey player, but a quality young man. Northern Michigan has a tradition-rich program led by one of the most respected coaches in college hockey in Walt Kyle."

Also in 2011-12, Payne was named to the NAHL Top Prospects North Division team and was also recognized by the league as the Combat Hockey Player of the Month in October.

Already this season, Payne was named the North Division’s Combat Hockey Player of the Week after he scored five goals in four games during the NAHL Showcase to start the season.

Through six games this season, Payne has seven points, six of which are goals.

Muskegon's Storm picks St. Cloud State

The Muskegon Lumberjacks have announced that defenseman Ben Storm has decided to play his college hockey for the St. Cloud State Huskies of the newly-formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference that will begin in the 2013-14 season.

Storm was a fifth-round pick in the 2012 USHL Entry Draft by the Lumberjacks after spending the last two years playing for Calumet High School in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The 6-foot-6 defenseman tallied 61 points (28 goals and 33 assists) in 53 games during his two years at the high school level.

“St. Cloud State showed the most interest in me and their coaches made me feel right at home,” said Storm. “I enjoyed visiting the campus and I am excited for the new additions they are making to their hockey facilities in the near future.”

Kalamazoo adds defenseman Johnson

The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings have announced the addition of defenseman Sam Johnson in a trade from the Amarillo Bulls.

Johnson is a 20-year-old Dallas native. “Sam is a physical and reliable defender,” noted Kalamazoo head coach Marc Fakler. “He will add size and veteran leadership to our defense.”

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound blueliner will be suiting up for his third NAHL team when he skates with the Jr. K-Wings, which should be as early as this Saturday against the Michigan Warriors.

Johnson spent 34 games with the Wenatchee Wild last season, where he tallied 10 points and played to a +10 rating. He was then moved to Amarillo where he played nine games, picking up two assists.

Johnson started this season with the Bulls, playing in four games, and notching two assists. Over the course of his career, he has played to a +16 rating and also has five games of playoff experience to his name with Amarillo.