MAVERICKS ADD TWO DEFENSEMEN TO PRE-SEASON ROSTER
Missouri signs Brad Good and Joshua Hepditch

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri – Missouri Mavericks’ President and General Manager Brent Thiessen announced Thursday the Central Hockey League (CHL) club has signed two rookie defensemen to the Mavericks’ pre-season roster. Brad Good and Joshua Hepditch have each accepted offers to play for the Mavericks.

“We are anxious to get these two players to camp and watch them play,” said Thiessen. “We believe they will add to our defensive strengths. Scott has done a great job recruiting these guys and we believe they will contribute nicely.”

Good, 25 (3/10/86), begins his rookie season with the Mavericks after playing the previous four seasons at Carleton University. The Kitchener, Ontario native finished his collegiate career with seven goals and 27 assists in 100 games played. After his senior season, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman played in six games with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL where he accounted for one assist in six games during the regular season and two goals in three playoff games with the Everblades. Prior to playing college hockey, Good played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds where he finished with 398 penalty minutes and 30 points (3-27=30) in 249 games.

“Brad Good is a big strong defenseman who brings excellent leadership qualities to our hockey club,” remarked Mavericks’ Head Coach Scott Hillman. “He plays a similar style as Mike Wakita who had an excellent rookie season with us last year. Brad will help us strengthen our blue line with his dependable, stay-at-home style of play.”

Hepditch, 26 (1/1/85), joined the Mavericks as an amateur during the Mavericks’ playoff run last season. He did not compete in a playoff game for Missouri, but was asked to come back and play for the Mavericks for his rookie season. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound defenseman played his previous five seasons at the University of New Brunswick and had his best season in his final year. He finished with 10 points (2-8=10) in 20 games played during the 2010-11 season and with 25 points (6-19=25) in 110 games played over his career. Prior to playing at New Brunswick, the Fredericton, New Brunswick native played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the Moncton Wildcats where he accounted for 16 goals, 48 assists and 306 penalty minutes over four seasons.

“Josh is a heart and soul type of player. He plays above his size, and has always earned the respect of his teammates and former coaches,” said Hillman. “Josh brings a resume complete with three national titles in his five year career in Canadian university hockey. That type of winning experience is very hard to find. We look for Josh to bring a lot of skill and mobility to our back end, but he also has the versatility to play up front as a forward if there is a need. ”

Mavericks’ President and General Manager Brent Thiessen also announced the Mavericks were unable to come to terms with Sean Muncy, Clayton Barthel and Brennan Barker. Missouri no longer retains the rights to the three players; therefore they have become free agents effective immediately.