BRAHMAS SIGN SOME HOMEGROWN TALENT

Aug 6, 2014

The Texas Brahmas of the NA3HL are pleased to announce several more signings for the 2014-15 season, all from the Ft Worth/Dallas metroplex area. “A high priority for us as an organization is to provide quality opportunities for local players to develop and play at the next level of hockey, be it either the next step in Jr hockey or directly to the collegiate ranks”, said Head Coach Al Rooney. “We couldn’t be more excited to have these 4 players be wearing a Brahmas uniform this season, they’re a great mixture to bring into the team both on and off the ice.” Newly signed are returning defenseman  Jimmy Anderson (94), forward Dixon Whitehead (96), who was acquired via an off-season trade, as well as two 2014 Brahmas draft picks, defensemen Daniel Skinner (96) and Connor Brady (95). Anderson is one of the few returning players from last season’s team, with Rooney looking more at a fresh look and start for the team in their inaugural season in the NA3HL. “A big reason for that is that the import rules are different from last season’s team, in addition to some players aging out, and you end up with a lot of new faces this year. But Jimmy was a guy that real early on I was in communication with, liked what I was hearing from him and saw in him at our open camp. So it will be nice to have him back there in a veteran role. He is a mobile defenseman, so we will expect him to provide some offense from the blue line for us this year no doubt.” Up front, Dixon Whitehead already is entering his 3rd year of Jr hockey after being traded for by Rooney this summer. “Dixon will bring some veteran savvy to the lineup, probably down the middle for us, and be looked upon as a top penalty killer. Entering his third season, we expect that his offensive production should notch up as well, with additional ice time of course, seeing that he has some experience entering the year. He has great speed, great work rate, he should be a lot of fun to Coach”, Rooney added. On the blueline, 6th round draft pick Conor Brady is expected to see some top 4 minutes for the Brahmas. “I’ve loved what I’ve seen from Conor this summer. He has a compete level that I would put up against anyone, he has a great mix of offensive and defensive elements to his game, and anyone coming down his side of the ice is going to have to earn anything they get. He will really bring some leadership to the team, merely by example alone I expect him to lead the way for some of our younger guys. I think he was a steal drafting him where we did, and we’re fortunate to have him back there for us in a Brahmas uniform this year.” Drafted just one round ahead of Brady, 5th round pick Daniel Skinner is expected to bring a steady physical presence to the lineup this year. “I’ve enjoyed having the chance to see Daniel out on the ice this summer, I’m actually back and forth as to where I see him in the lineup for us, either up front or on the back end manning the point. It’s actually a credit to him that I think he’s capable of fulfilling either role, and that he is willing to do so, and it speaks volumes about him as a team first guy. Either position though, I think he will be an imposing physical presence for us in the lineup, I don’t see him losing many battles along the boards for us. He can be a great guy to plug into a stay-at-home defensive role matched with an offensive d-man, or go upfront and create some room and bang some goals in from in front of the net. The jury is still out on that decision and training camp will show us where that leads.” With these 4 signings, the Brahmas roster is really starting to take shape leading up to the opening of training camp on the 23rd of August. The Brahmas will be playing all of their home games in the ‘South Division’ of the NA3HL out of NYTEX Sports Centre with the season opener just over a month away on September 12th. More roster announcements will be made here soon.