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(10/15/02 10:48 pm)
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Gorillas sign Carper
GORILLAS THRILLED OVER SIGNING OF
BIG ALL-STAR DEFENSEMAN
AMARILLO, TX – The Amarillo Gorillas defense corps continues to grow with size and strength with the signing of former Lubbock Cotton Kings standout Brandon Carper.
The Highland Park, Illinois native was named to the 2000-2001 Western Professional Hockey League All-Star team and was voted second among offensive defenseman in the WPHL’s Best-Of-The-Best Poll behind current Amarillo Gorillas player Mark DeSantis.
“Brandon is a big addition to our line up,” said Gorillas Head Coach Joe Ferras. “He is capable of putting numbers on the board and should team up great with Mark DeSantis on our powerplay.”
Carper, who was selected in the ninth round, 198th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1992 National Hockey League Draft, spent the past season with Landshut EV of the German League where he had 15 goals and 32 assists for 47 points and 42 penalty minutes in 52 games.
The 6-foot, two-inch, 200-pound, left-shooting defenseman spent two seasons (1999-2000 and 2000-2001) with the Lubbock Cotton Kings of the Western Professional Hockey League and still ranks as their all-time leader in scoring among defenseman. In the 2000-2001 season, Carper appeared in all 71 games, was third in the WPHL in plus-minus and tied for ninth in scoring.
“Brandon has great size and mobility which will be beneficial in our rink,” said Ferras. “Having defensemen that are stong on the one-on-ones and can make the direct passes are critical at this level.”
Carper was a two-sport star in baseball and hockey while attending Bowling Green State University. During his four-year career with the Falcons, Carper appeared in 134 games and notched 14 goals and 55 assists for 69 points and 238 penalty minutes.
Carper turned pro in 1995-96 where he played for the nearby Toledo Storm of the East Coast Hockey League. In 58 games, he had 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points and 44 penalty minutes. Carper played in 11 playoff games where he had one goal and four assists for five points and 22 penalty minutes.
In 1996-1997, Carper split time with the Fresno Falcons and the Reno Renegades of the West Coast Hockey League where he compiled 11 goals and 29 assists for 40 points and 46 penalty minutes in 63 games.
Carper then played the next two seasons (1997-1998, 1998-99) with the Mobile Mysticks of the East Coast Hockey League. In 112 games, he picked up nine goals and 34 assists for 42 points and 71 penalty minutes. In five career playoff games for the Mysticks, Carper had three points (three assists) and eight penalty minutes.
The inaugural season opener for the Amarillo Gorillas takes place this Friday night when they host the Lubbock Cotton Kings at 7 p.m. at The Jungle in the Amarillo Civic Center.
The first 2,500 adults receive a Budweiser mug and the first 2,500 fans receive Amarillo Globe New Cheer cards and Sonic America’s Drive In Magnet schedules.
Tickets are available at the Civic Center Box Office, Panhandle Ticket Outlets located inside United Supermarkets across the Amarillo region and by calling the Gorillas hockey office at 242-7825.
Kathy
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