Thursday, July 14, 2011

Vees Sign Four More Players

Press Release

The Kingston KIMCO Voyageurs continue to add to their lineup in preparation for the 2011-12 hockey season, as they announced four more signings leading into the club’s Evaluation Camp this weekend. The Vees are delighted to announce the signing of defenseman Kyle Gaskin and forwards Brodie Tutton, Pat George and sophomore Joey Couture.

Gaskin is a 1991 born local Greater Kingston AAA hockey product, who played NCAA Division 3 hockey last season with Hobart College and spent the previous three years at Lake Forrest Academy Prep School, where he was a three year varsity letterman.

"We are very pleased to sign Kyle back here in his hometown. Not only is this another local Kingston native on the roster, but a local player who brings a lot of experience with him. Anytime you can bring back NCAA experience and have a solid work ethic and good character, it can only be a plus," said Head Coach Colin Birkas

Tutton joins the Vees will quite a bit of fan fare, as the young 1994 born goal scoring forward was an 8th round pick of the Plymouth Whalers in 2010. Last season in two games as an underage affiliate with the Cobourg Cougars, Tutton scored two goals and two assists.

"We very happy to sign Brodie. He has his eyes set on trying to go the NCAA route and we're fortunate that he feels that we can offer him the best chance to get there. He's a gifted goal scorer and another quality kid," said General Manager Denis Duchesne.

George is a grinding power forward, who plays a physical game and his skating and speed allow him to be a major threat on the forcheck. “He’s a big kid who plays the game with a bit of an edge and likes to be physical. We were very impressed with his skating and speed, so we’re very happy to get him on board,” said Birkas.

Couture played last season with the Vees in a minor role and his hoping to expand that role this season. The Quebec City native only played in 23 games last season, scoring a pair of goals and adding an assist, but one of those two goals was a highlight reel goal, so he has shown potential that he can be an effective player at this level.

“It really is pretty wild how that one year of experience can make a world of difference in a player. They get a year under their belt, see what it takes and spend the summer getting into shape in order to be prepared for an increased role,” said Assistant General Manager Casey Torres. “Joey is a big and strong kid and if he comes into camp with the right mindset and work ethic he could have a very solid season for us this year,” said Torres.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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