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Barracudas update

Barracudas Sign Tough Defenseman

Ryan Crowther signs with the Barracudas, two seasons since playing for both Macon and Asheville in the SPHL.

The Jacksonville Barracudas are proud to announce the signing of Canadian defenseman Ryan Crowther. Crowther last played in the SPHL with the Macon Trax and Asheville Aces, after spending a season in the United Hockey League with the Flint Generals.

Barracudas' Head Coach Allain looks forward to Crowther's presence on the Barracudas' blue line this season.

"Ryan is an strong, aggressive defenseman", said Coach Allain. "He will add veteran leadership and stability to our defense. "

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Crowther played his junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League for the Belleville Bulls, Owen Sound Platters, and Ottawa 67's. A tough defenseman who makes life difficult on opposing forwards, Crowther has racked up 297 penalty minutes in his 114 game professional career.

2006 FREE AGENT EVALUATION CAMP BIG SUCCESS FOR CUDAS

Last week the Barracudas held their first ever Free Agent Evaluation Camp in Bourne, MA, giving hockey players from all over the world a chance to become a professional hockey player.

Bourne was chosen as the site for the camp, due to the amount of interest in playing for the Cudas from players from that geographical location. However, players came from everywhere to take part, including two North Florida residents, two Japanese players, two players from France, and a player hailing from England. The result was an extremely competitive, hard-fought series of scrimmages in which a few gems stood out.

Barracudas veterans Greg Lecolst and Garrett Summerfield joined the competitors to serve as a measuring stick for GM Richard and Coach Allain to evaluate the 30-plus participants. Richard and Allain were hoping to land one player who stood a chance in main camp, but four players showed enough skill and ability to gain an invitation to the main camp in Jacksonville.

The four camp invitees are:

Mark Withers D 6'3 225lbs Laconia, NH

Tyrone Garner F 6'2 220lbs Stoney Creek, ON

Jeff Herzog D 6'3 210lbs Bursnville, MN (Now resides in Ponte Vedra)

J.P. Pauly F 5'8 175lbs Buffalo, NY

The main camp will be starting on Tuesday, October 16th, 2006

BARRACUDAS RELEASE CHANGES TO HOME SCHEDULE

The Barracudas have been forced to change a couple of their home games this season, due to a scheduling conflict with the Arena. Affected games include March 2nd and 3rd home games. The replacement games are on December 2nd, and February 13th. The complete home schedule is as follows.

2006-2007 HOME GAMES

Sat Nov 4 vs. Knoxville

Sat Nov 18 vs. Richmond

Fri Nov 24 vs. Huntsville

Sat Dec 2 vs. Florida

Fri Dec 8 vs. Huntsville

Sat Dec 9 vs. Pee Dee

Sat Dec 16 vs. Richmond

Tue Dec 19 vs. Florida

Fri Dec 22 vs. Knoxville

Fri Dec 29 vs. Fayetteville

Fri Jan 5 vs. Pee Dee

Sat Jan 6 vs. Fayetteville

Tue Jan 9 vs. Florida

Fri Jan 12 vs. Fayetteville

Fri Feb 2 vs. Pee Dee

Tue Feb 6 vs. Columbus

Fri Feb 9 vs. Florida

Sun Feb 11 vs. Florida *2:30 start

Tue Feb 13 vs. Huntsville

Sat Feb 17 vs. Fayetteville

Tue Feb 20 vs. Florida

Fri Feb 23 vs. Columbus

Tue Mar 6 vs. Richmond

Tue Mar 13 vs. Columbus

Fri Mar 16 vs. Knoxville

Sat Mar 17 vs. Pee Dee

Fri Mar 23 vs. Huntsville

Sat Mar 24 vs. Columbus

*All games begin at 7:05pm unless otherwise marked

truebluefan

[FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.] - The Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) announced today that the club has re-signed forward Chris Ferguson and forward/defenseman David Dartsch. The signings bring the total number of players under contract to eleven.

Ferguson, a 6'0'', 200 pound forward from Brockville, Ontario rejoins the FireAntz after joining the club via a trade last season. In 18 games played, Ferguson had a goal, four assists and 71 penalty minutes. He also had three assists in three games played in the playoffs.

"Several people that I've spoken with have talked very highly of Chris's abilities." Head Coach John Marks said, "I'm really looking forward to seeing him compete."

Dartsch, a 5'11'', 195 pound forward/defenseman from Pointe-Claire, Quebec begins his first season with the FireAntz. A veteran, Dartsch has spent the majority of his career between the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and United Hockey League (UHL).

"David is veteran that brings a lot of experience." Marks added, "The fact that he's versatile, he can play wing or defense, is an added bonus that should be a great asset to our hockey club."

The FireAntz begin their 5th Anniversary season on October 27 as they host the expansion Richmond Renegades. The club encourages all fans to wear black shirts on Opening Night as the FireAntz are "Back in Black" in 2006-07. Season tickets and corporate partnerships are still available. Call the FireAntz office at (910) 321-0123 for more information.

truebluefan

Columbus, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths have announced their 2006-07 training camp schedule which is set to begin Tuesday, Oct. 17. The Cottonmouths have approximately 24 players scheduled to attend camp, 12 of which are returning members from last year's team.

Prior to training camp, on Oct. 10, several players will head to Auburn, Ala. to take part in the TigerFit Program. TigerFit is a health and fitness assessment conducted by Dr. Peter Grandjean in Auburn University's Department of Health and Human Performance.

"I want to show my players something of the high caliber of Auburn University and their athletic program," Bechard said. "I want them to see the fitness level they need to be at to compete, and where they need to be to take their game to the next level."

On Oct. 17, the Snakes will officially open training camp with a 10 a.m. skating session followed by a 4 p.m. scrimmage. Opening day of camp will be followed by morning skating sessions on Oct. 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25 and 26.

The Snakes will host an exhibition game against the Florida Seals Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the game will be $5 and general admission seating, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish foundation is a charitable organization which strives to grant wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. Aside from the exhibition game, all practice sessions and scrimmages are free and open to the public.

"Training camp has been extended over the past couple of years, but time is still of the essence." Bechard said. "We only have two days to skate before the exhibition game, so the exhibition game will be very important in evaluating some of the younger guys coming in. Everyone should be ready to compete."

Individual game tickets go on sale to the public Monday, Oct. 9. Season tickets and flex plans are available now. The Snakes open the 2006-07 season at home against the PeeDee Cyclones Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

For tickets or additional information, contact us at (706) 571-0086, or visit our website at www.cottonmouths.com.