The Arizona Sundogs and Rocky Mountain Rage, 2006-2007 expansion clubs in the Central Hockey League, participated in the CHL Expansion Draft on Saturday, June 3rd, with each team selecting five players from an available list of 56 from returning CHL clubs. With the first pick, the Sundogs took Odessa Jackalopes right winger Dominic Leveille, a finalist for CHL Rookie of the Year honors last season who finished tied for 11th in scoring with 81 points.
The Rage made Colorado Eagles standout defenseman Matt Desrosiers their first pick. Also selected by Arizona Coach Marco Pietroniro were Wichita defenseman David Lizotte, Tulsa goaltender Kris King, Laredo netminder David Lemanowicz, and Wichita left winger Ben Murphy. Rocky Mountain Coach Tracy Egeland added Laredo forward Nick Warriner, Lubbock forward Vic Pereira, Odessa forward Sebastien Thinel and Rio Grande Valley forward Ryan Shmyr with their subsequent selections. Pereira was immediately dealt to Rio Grande Valley in exchange for defenseman Clay Plume.
We were excited when the opportunity presented itself to draft Leveille, said Arizona Coach Marco Pietroniro. He was undoubtedly one of the top rookies in the entire Central Hockey League in 2005-2006. Lizotte is defensively sound, a key to any successful team. Its important to have that aspect of play established early on. Ultimately he can help our club.
Im pretty happy with my selections in the draft, said Rage Coach Egeland. Im especially excited about a couple of guys like Warriner. Overall I hope to see some good talent out of this.
2006-2007 CHL Expansion Draft Results
Arizona Sundogs
1- Dominic Leveille, Forward, Odessa
4- David Lizotte, Defenseman, Wichita
6- Chris King, Goaltender, Tulsa
8- David Lemanowicz, Goaltender, Laredo
10- Ben Murphy, Forward, Wichita
Rocky Mountain Rage
2-Matt Desrosier, Defenseman, Colorado
3-Nick Warriner, Forward, Laredo
5-Vic Pereira, Forward, Lubbock*
7-Sebastien Thinel, Odessa
9-Ryan Shmyr, Forward, Rio Grande Valley
*Pereira traded to Rio Grande Valley for rights to defenseman Clay Plume