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Hockey team welcomes six newcomers
July 23, 2008
USAFA, Colo. - The Air Force hockey team is proud to announce the six members of the Class of 2012. The Falcons welcome three defensemen, two forwards and one goaltender. "This class isn't as large in numbers as some in the past, but these are all experienced players who had success at the Junior "A" level," head coach Frank Serratore said. "It will be very interesting to see which players are able to take their game to the next level. I expect several to step in and contribute immediately." The class represents five states and four different junior hockey leagues. Greg Burgdoerfer, Scott Mathis and Paul Weisgarber come to the Academy from the U.S. Hockey League (USHL), goaltender Stephen Caple come from the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL), Tim Kirby played in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and Mark Williams comes to Air Force from the Central Junior Hockey League (CJHL). Air Force is coming off its second consecutive Atlantic Hockey Association championships and back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament. Air Force opens practice on Oct. 4 and season begins Sunday, Oct. 5 with an exhibition game vs. the University of Alberta at the Cadet Ice Arena. Greg Burgdoerfer, F (Setauket, N.Y.) - Played 55 games for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL ... Five goals and 11 assists for 16 points last season ... Led the team with 120 penalty minutes ... Sixth on the team with 105 shots. Stephen Caple, G (Rice Lake, Wis.) - Played two seasons for the Westside Warriors of the BCJHL ... In 2007-08, played in 40 games and compiled a 26-14 record with a 2.65 goals-against average and a .900 saves percentage ... Fourth in the league in goals-against average last season ... Has played in 105 career junior hockey games ... Played 48 games with the Warriors in 2006-07 and also played 17 games with the Langley Hornets in 2005-06 ... Had a 5-5 record with Langley.
Tim Kirby, D (Austin, Minn.) - Played two seasons for the Southern Minnesota Express of the NAHL ... Played in 56 games last season and was the team's top scoring defenseman with 43 points (6-37-43) ... Ranked fifth on the team in scoring by all players ... Third in the league in points by a defenseman ... ... Played in the NAHL All-Star Game and the Top Prospect Tournament ... Team captain ... Also played 50 games for the Express in 2006-07 and had 11 points (3-8-11). Scott Mathis, D (Crystal Lake, Ill.) - Played two seasons for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL ... In 2007-08, played in all 60 games and was third on the team in scoring for a defenseman with 25 points (7-18-25) ... Team captain ... Played in 46 games in 2006-07 and had seven points (2-5-7). Paul Weisgarber, F (Fargo, N.D.) - Played in 60 games for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL ... Team captain ... Had 27 points (10-17-27) in 60 games in 2007-08 ... Helped lead team to the USHL Clark Cup playoff finals ... Played in 43 games in 2006-07 and had 15 points (5-10-15). Mark Williams, D (Potsdam, N.Y.) - Played two seasons with the Cornwall Colts of the CJHL ... Played in 59 games in 2007-08 and was second on the team in points by a defenseman with 24 (10-14-24) ... CJHL all-star and third-team all-league ... Three points, all assists, in five playoff games ... Played 55 games in 2006-07 and had 21 point (8-13-21). The Class of 2012 |
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