Mavericks Sign Matt Krug and Jeff Pierce

[chilly666]

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - Missouri Mavericks' Head Coach Scott Hillman announced Wednesday the Central Hockey League (CHL) club has signed defenseman Matt Krug and forward Jeff Pierce for the 2012-13 season. The Mavericks are currently at 20 players signed to their pre-season roster, and the team will open up training camp on Oct. 8 at Independence Events Center.

"We are rounding out the final additions to the roster and look forward to getting the guys here and observing how they compete," said Mavericks' President and General ManagerBrent Thiessen. "We believe these two additions will help solidify our backend and give us depth up front."

Krug, 28 (7/7/85), enters his fourth professional season and first full season in the CHL. The native of Livonia, Michigan played for the ECHL's Toledo Walleye last season totaling 135 penalty minutes and 19 assists in 54 games played. The 6-foot, 230-pound defenseman played for four different teams in three different leagues during the 2010-11 campaign. He started his career in the IHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2009-10 and had 47 points (14-3347) and 209 penalty minutes in 75 games. Before turning pro, Krug played four seasons of Division 1 hockey including three at Wayne State University and one season at Robert Morris University.

"Matt Krug is a hard hitting, no nonsense defenseman," said Mavericks' Head Coach Scott Hillman. "He has a big shot from the point and we believe will be a very valuable asset to our defensive core."

Pierce, 28 (11/10/83), played his first three seasons with Mavericks' captain and leading scorer from a season ago, Sebastien Thinel. The 6-foot, 180-pound forward most recently skated for the Cardiff Devils in England along with fellow Mavericks' signee defenseman Jamie VanderVeeken. The Troy, Michigan native finished second on the Devils with 67 points last season on 33 goals and 34 assists in just 53 games played. He played with Thinel during the previous three seasons and put up impressive numbers with the Odessa Jackalopes. Over the three seasons, Pierce had 73 goals and 95 assists for 168 points in 193 games played. He also amassed 147 penalty minutes with the Jackalopes. In 33 playoff games with Odessa, Pierce had 17 goals and 12 assists for 29 points. He played four seasons at Western Michigan University before playing professionally.

"Jeff Pierce has lighting speed, a rocket of a shot and has great chemistry on a line with Thinel" said Hillman. "We are excited to reunite them."

[MrFrost]

Good signing with Krug. He was unbelievable in Muskegon