(Courtesy of the Colorado Eagles) FORT COLLINS, CO- The Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League held a press conference today at the Fort Collins Marriot to announce the signing of five returning players from last season’s President’s Cup Championship team. Head Coach and Vice President Chris Stewart presented contracts to the Eagles’ four veterans, Greg Pankewicz, Riley Nelson, Ryan Tobler, and Brad Williamson who all promptly signed their names agreeing to return to the Eagles lineup for the 2005-06 season. Colorado also announced that the 2005 CHL Playoff MVP Chris Hartsburg has signed with the team.

“All five of these are pretty important signings,” said Head Coach Chris Stewart. “We’re happy to have our four veterans we have had over the last couple years; that is the reason we are here today, to show you that we’re going to keep the trophy.”

The four veterans have been with the Eagles since team’s inaugural season in 2003-04. Eagles Captain Greg Pankewicz, a 14-year veteran, was the CHL’s Most Valuable Player last season, and has been voted by the league’s players and coaches as the “Best Overall Player” for two years running. The Drayton Valley, Alberta native is the Eagles all-time leading scorer with 177 points (78-99-177) in 106 games played with Colorado.

“With the group of guys sitting in front of you right now,” exclaimed Pankewicz, “we are going to give ourselves every opportunity to keep the cup.”

First line center Riley Nelson returns to the Eagles for his third season with the club and sixth season as a pro. He will forever be in Eagles annals for scoring the first two goals in team history on October 17, 2003 against the Tulsa Oilers. The Cranbrook, BC native is second on the all-time scoring list behind Pankewicz with 160 points (67-93-160) in 114 games played.

Colorado Eagles left wing Ryan Tobler begins his ninth professional season and third with Colorado. He has been voted as the “Best Power Forward” for two consecutive years in the CHL’s “Best of the Best” poll. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Tobler has played hockey all over North America including a four-game stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2001-02. He is third on the Eagles all-time scoring list with 142 points (56-86-142).

The lone defenseman of the four returning veterans is Brad Williamson, a native of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Williamson returns to the club for his third season and seventh as a pro. Last season, he set career highs in both goals (11) and points (44), and tied his career high with 33 assists. He is a three-time all-star including once with the Eagles in 2003-04. Williamson is +74 in two seasons with Colorado, the highest plus/minus of any player in team’s two-year history.

The fifth and final signing for the Eagles was the only non-veteran in center Chris Hartsburg, the 2005 CHL Playoff MVP. Hartsburg is a native of Edina, Minnesota and will be playing his second season with the Eagles. In 2004-05, Hartsburg made an immediate impact with the club scoring 29 points on 13 goals and 16 assists. He had an outstanding post-season both offensively and defensively for the Eagles, accumulating 12 points (3-9-12) in 16 games during the playoffs.

The Eagles would like to thank the Official Host Hotel of the Colorado Eagles, the Fort Collins Marriott, for hosting this press conference. It will be the site for all Eagles press conferences for the upcoming season.