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Icemen Bring Back Captain
August 2, 2001
Scott Lauber
Press
& Sun Bulletin
The
BC Icemen are getting rich this summer off the lack of available
jobs for free agent minor league hockey players.
Derek Wood, the second-leading scorer in franchise history and captain of last season’s team, became the fourth player in three weeks to re-sign with the Icemen, agreeing Wednesday to a one-year contract. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
Wood,
a 26-year-old center, spent last season’s final weeks in the
upper-level International Hockey League.
But the IHL folded in June, leaving Wood—and many player
like him—with fewer employment opportunities.
“There were some other options, but it’s definitely more difficult to find a job now,” Wood said from his home in Prince George, British Columbia. “But that’s how it should be at the professional level, and ultimately, it’s going to help our team and our league.”
Icemen
coach Brad Jones, who doubles as the team’s director of hockey
operations, wasted no time re-appointing Wood as captain. Wood
had 85 points (27 goals, team-leading 58 assists) last season when
the Icemen missed the united Hockey League playoffs for the first
time in franchise history.
In
160games over three seasons with the Icemen, wood has 182 points (69
goals, 113 assists); second to only Chris Grenville’s
franchise-record 254 points. Grenville
has also re-signed with the Icemen after seeking a job in the
higher-level American Hockey League.
“Woody
is the type of player that we’re about,” Jones said.
“He’s probably the top two-way forward in our league.
During last season, it was a tough time for everybody, and he
was a character guy and a prototypical leader.”
Said Wood: “I’ve talked to Brad, and I’m convinced the new owner [David Wright} is committed to winning. I’m excited right off the bat, I think things are going to change from the last few years.”