Icemen Lose 2 Players, But May Gain An All-Star Game

June 20, 2000

Scott Lauber, Staff Writer

Press & Sun Bulletin 

            In the words of general manager Patrick Snyder, the BC Icemen escaped “unscathed” from the United Hockey League expansion draft, held last Thursday during the league’s annual meetings in Las Vegas.

            The Icemen lost two –year captain Greg Pajor and third-string goalie Jim Dinneen, but neither figured in the Icemen’s plans.

            And there may be good news on another front.  The Icemen may host the 2001 UHL All-Star Game.  The UHL will award the All-Star Game to one of the 16 member cities in about two weeks, Snyder said.

            “Nothing’s definite, but we’re one of the cities that’s been considered,” said Snyder, who wasn’t sure how many markets were in the running.  “The league has some interest in bringing the game here, and it’s an event we’d certainly be interested in hosting.  Hockey has been here for 27 years, and we’ve never had an all-star game.”

            Pajor, who had eight goals and 17 assists in 41 games last season, was the first overall choice by Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Pa.).  Pajor, however, intends to play in Europe.

            Dinneen, 2-0 with a 2.23 goals-against average and .907 save percentage in 1999-2000, was selected in the ninth round by New Haven.

            “With Jimmy and Greg, it’s a good thing for them to get an opportunity to play somewhere else because they weren’t going to play for us,” Snyder said.  “We got stung in the expansion draft last year when we lost four guys.  This year we came out pf it unscathed.”

            Jon Hillenbrandt, former goalie for the Binghamton Rangers and Icemen, was picked by Elmira in the fourth round.  Hillenbrandt played last season for Port Huron.

            Meanwhile, in the dispersal draft for the Ohio Artic Xpress, the Icemen received Jordan Shaw, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound right wing.  Shaw, who had six goals, eight assists and 171 penalty minutes in 53 games last season for Knoxville before being acquired by Ohio, won’t suit up for the Icemen.  Snyder said he doesn’t intend to sign him.

             The Artic Xpress, formerly known as the Gears, has suspended operations for the 2000-01 season.

              The Icemen, by virtue of having the third-best record last season, picked 14^th out of 16 teams in the dispersal draft.