Wildcatters Assigned McNeill From San Antonio

[VodkaFish]

Beaumont, TX – The Texas Wildcatters announced today that defenseman/forward Grant McNeill has been assigned by the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League. McNeill will arrive in Southeast Texas today and is expected to be in the line-up this weekend.

In order to make room for McNeill within the confines of the ECHL salary cap the Wildcatters traded forward Tony Lawrence to the Bakersfield Condors. Texas received the rights to forward Curtis Huppe as well as financial considerations.

McNeill was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the second round (#68) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. The Vermillion, Alberta native has played 12 games so far this season with the Rampage, posting 1 point (1A) and 44 penalty minutes.

Lawrence appeared in 22 games this season with the Wildcatters, registering 8 points (3G, 5A) and 22 penalty minutes.

Huppe, who is currently playing in Europe with the Belfast Giants, had 54 points (27G, 27A) last season with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.

The Wildcatters travel to Louisiana to play the IceGators on Friday 7:05 p.m. The team will return home for a pair of games Saturday and Sunday against the Charlotte Checkers.

[Brash_Fan]

Oh, too bad we won't see McNeill in AHL for a while Rampage are without a heavyweight now I believe.
How's his skills when it comes to play the game? He played D in San Antion huh, if he hurted the team with his lack of skills in the teams defensive zone they could've moved him up on wing. So San Antoin have some muscles when it's time for rough stuff. But they have TJ Reynolds in their lineup, how's his fighting skills? is he a guy with potential to beat the best heavies in the league?

San Antonio gotta be one of the teams who's the least toughest in AHL now.The guys who lead the teams in fighting majors, Jacina & Campbell are their top scorers, guys who are 6'0'' & 180 lbs.

[NJDevils4thecup]

For two years in the "E" Reynolds fought everybody and anybody. He is a good heavyweight and he takes any and all comers. His skill level is better than McNeill's too so we'll see. I remember last year Reynolds had a real good one with Sugar and i think Sugar edged him out but Reynolds got in his fair share of qualtiy shots.

[Brash_Fan]

Originally Posted by NJDevils4thecup

For two years in the "E" Reynolds fought everybody and anybody. He is a good heavyweight and he takes any and all comers. His skill level is better than McNeill's too so we'll see. I remember last year Reynolds had a real good one with Sugar and i think Sugar edged him out but Reynolds got in his fair share of qualtiy shots.

thank's for filling me in.

[VodkaFish]

Grant McNeill has been recalled by San Antonio.

[jason213]

Grant Mcneill is one tough guy and a good player. He used to be the captain for Prince Albert Raiders I think. I am from medicine hat and I remember a few years ago when Derek Booguard was playing here and P.A came to town, McNeill one-punched Booguard and knocked him right out.

[Brash_Fan]

still an X marked next to his name in the rosters on the AHL website. Which means he's still not with San Antonio.

[Tommy]

Wasn't a KO, Derek popped right back up after it and handled McNeill twice after that.

Originally Posted by jason213

Grant Mcneill is one tough guy and a good player. He used to be the captain for Prince Albert Raiders I think. I am from medicine hat and I remember a few years ago when Derek Booguard was playing here and P.A came to town, McNeill one-punched Booguard and knocked him right out.

[jason213]

Not the one I saw. One punch and Derek was laying on the ice and didn't get up til' after the fight.

I like Booguard but I'm just saying McNeill took him in that one.

[Tommy]

I know, but you stated that Derek was knocked out which wasn't the case, I saw the fight on tape and he did go down to the ice but he popped back up, therefore it's considered a TKO and not a KO.

Originally Posted by jason213

Not the one I saw. One punch and Derek was laying on the ice and didn't get up til' after the fight.

I like Booguard but I'm just saying McNeill took him in that one.

[Dozer]

Maybe not a KO but didn't McNeill break Derek's jaw in that fight? I know it was either McNeill or Mike Lee but I'm not quite sure.

I also saw one of the other two fights between the two and although Derek threw a ron of punches they did absolutely nothing and then McNeill responded with a huge right that knocked Derek off balance and pretty much took the fight out of him. Derek was scared of McNeill's power big time.

[Tommy]

Originally Posted by Dozer

Maybe not a KO but didn't McNeill break Derek's jaw in that fight? I know it was either McNeill or Mike Lee but I'm not quite sure.

I also saw one of the other two fights between the two and although Derek threw a ron of punches they did absolutely nothing and then McNeill responded with a huge right that knocked Derek off balance and pretty much took the fight out of him. Derek was scared of McNeill's power big time.

Mike Lee broke Derek's jaw at the end of the 1999-2000 season so that was quite a while ago in which Derek has bested him in all their fight's after taking a decision in Kootenay and then a big one in Louisiana.

Also, McNeill didn't land a shot in their round 2 fight. When was Derek scared of McNeill's power?

(Copy and paste link in the location bar)

www.angelfire.com/sk3/hockey77/boogaardvsmcneillrd2.wmv

In their third fight which was AHL pre-season last year (2003-2004), Derek overpowered McNeill and almost threw him into one of the bench's, there was clip floating around somewhere and as soon as I can find it again I'll poste it as well.

[jason213]

Derek also weighs about 20 lbs more now than he did in his junior days. He is up to 270 now I think. He used to be so off balanced but maybe a little more weight is helping out.