(Courtesy of the Fort Worth Brahmas)

Fort Worth—The Fort Worth Brahmas signed their first player for their upcoming 2003-2004 CHL season on Wednesday morning when left wing Chad Woollard agreed to contract terms. The signing for the Brahmas is a significant one, as Woollard was easily the top player for Fort Worth during their 2002-2003 season. He led the team in virtually every offensive category, including goals (35), points (59), power play goals (13), shots (222), and first goals (5). His 35 goals tied him for the eighth highest total amongst all CHL players and his 13 power play goals were tied for the fourth most in the league.

Woollard also had the Brahmas only two hat tricks during their 2002-2003 campaign. His first professional hat trick came on Friday, Jan. 11 against Oklahoma City. On Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14, Woollard lit the lamp three times against the Lubbock Cotton Kings. The Durham, Ontario native was recognized by the Central Hockey League for his outstanding season as he was selected to play for the Northern Conference in the 2003 CHL All Star Game that was held on Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. He represented himself and the Brahmas in fine fashion at the All Star festivities as he won the Accuracy Shooting Contest in the CHL Skills Challenge and then scored a goal in the game itself. Woollard also was honored by the CHL as the league’s Player of the Week for the week of February 10-16, 2003.

For Woollard, the 2003-2004 season will be his fourth year with the Brahmas. He originally joined the club in November of 2000. After two and half seasons in Fort Worth, Woollard’s name is prominent in the team’s all-time record book. He is fourth in franchise history in games played (174), fourth in points (151), third in goals (74), sixth in assists (77), fourth in power play goals (21), and sixth in penalty minutes (254). Woollard, 23, will be entering his fifth professional season. He originally turned pro in the 1999-2000 season, splitting time with the Jackson Bandits and Greensboro Generals of the East Coast Hockey League. In 32 total games played, Woollard netted 6 goals and assisted on 8 others.

Prior to turning pro, Woollard played four seasons of major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League. His best year in the OHL came in 1998-1999 with the Owen Sound Platers, when he scored 28 goals and had 29 assists in 50 games played. Brahmas head coach Bill Inglis is elated to have his All Star winger back on board for next season.

“Chad had an exceptional season last year under some tough circumstances. With 35 goals, he clearly proved that he is one of the top offensive players in the entire Central Hockey League. To say we are excited to have him back would be an understatement. We’re going to build around Chad and surround him with good players, and I except him to have another phenomenal year,” stated Inglis.

Woollard is also thrilled to be staying in Fort Worth for another year. “The Brahmas organization and their fans have been great to me since I first came here. I’ve been fortunate enough to get the ice time to improve as a player and put up some pretty good numbers. I’m looking forward to another season in Fort Worth and to helping our team get back into the playoffs,” he said.

Woollard and the rest of his Brahmas teammates will take the ice in October of 2003 as the Brahmas kick off their seventh season in franchise history and their third season in the CHL.