AMERICANS ADD FORMER NHL PLAYER BOOTLAND
Bootland brings toughness and experience to Allen
Allen, Texas - The Allen Americans and Head Coach Steve Martinson announced on Wednesday the signing of forward
Darryl Bootland to a contract for the 2012-2013 season.
Darryl Bootland was an eighth round pick of the Colorado Avalanche back in the 2000 NHL entry draft. The native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, played in a combined 28 games for the Detroit Red Wings in the 2003-2004 and 2006-2007 seasons. He also played in four games for the New York Islanders in 2007-2008.
Bootland spent last season in the ECHL with Kalamazoo Wings, scoring 25 goals with 28 assists, for 53 points. His best numbers since the 2005-2006 season, when he put up 56 points with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League.
“Bootland, prototypical power forward skilled and tough,” said Americans Head Coach Steve Martinson . “ Darryl is a nasty guy to play against that has a great scoring touch. You can't score 27 goals in the AHL without skill. He will show our young wingers exactly how we want them to play.”
This will be Bootland’s second stop in the Central Hockey League, having played in 56 games for the Odessa Jackalopes in 2010-2011, netting 23 points.
The Americans also announced today that they will open at home on October 20th with the opponent to be determined at a later date. The full CHL schedule for the 2012-2013 season will be released in the coming weeks.
Bootland is the ninth player signing announced by the Americans this off-season. Joining Bootland on that list of signees is Jason Deitsch, Tyler Ludwig, Trevor Ludwig, Brian McMillin, Jarret Lukin Nino Musitelli Mike Berube and Brad Gallant. The Americans are set to open their 4th training camp this October, in Allen.