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Independence, MO —
The Mavericks cashed in quickly on the flood of new free agents in the Central Hockey League.
The Mavericks have added to their first-year roster, signing an all-star defenseman, a promising young defenseman and an explosive forward.
Longtime CHL veteran defenseman Tyler Fleck (please see column), defenseman Shaun Arvai and 2009 Southern Professional Hockey League MVP Travis Kauffeldt all signed to play for the expansion club. The Mavericks’ roster now sits at a total of four players including 2007 CHL MVP Jeff Christian, who will also serve as an assistant coach.
Fleck, 30, is entering his 11th professional season and first outside of the Oklahoma City Blazers organization. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound defenseman has played in 545 professional games and tallied 172 points while amassing 1,209 penalty minutes, all with the Blazers.
Fleck is a two-time CHL All-Star (2004, 2009) and was co-captain of the 2009 CHL All-Star team. The Carlyle, Saskatchewan, native was a member of the 2000-01 Blazers championship squad.
“It’s great to be here,” Fleck said. “I’ve never been a free agent before. The thought of a new franchise and being part of the team really sold me here.
“Ultimately, I think it was (team president) Brad Lund, he’s been good to play for, for 10 years. I know how he works and how he operates, and it’s first class.”
Lund was previously an executive with the now-defunct Oklahoma City Blazers franchise, which folded earlier this month.
Hillman was happy to add another well-qualified leader to his team along with Christian.
“We’re certainly excited. Your veteran signings are so key to establishing the base for your organization,” Hillman said. “Tyler is not only looked upon as a great hockey player but a great leader, and that’s what we want our veterans to be. He was one of the most sought after free-agent defensemen in the league, and we’re very fortunate to have him with us here in Independence.”
Fleck was named Best Defensive Defenseman in the CHL’s 2008-09 Best of the Best Poll, he was also voted Best Leader and finished third in the voting for Best Bodychecker.
Fleck, 30, will be the second of four veterans for the Mavs, as the CHL, a developmental league, only allows for four players that have played over 300 professional games to a team. Fleck, regarded as one of the best defensive defensemen in the league, is ready for the responsibility that’s coming to him.
“I’ve been filling that leadership role for the past five years, so I don’t think anything is going to change as far as being in that role. In that environment, I thrive,” he said. “That’s just me.”
Hillman, who had been harping about developing a nose-to-the-grindstone type of team, believes he got the kind of player he wanted in Fleck.
“Tyler’s a quality individual and quality hockey player,” Hillman said. “Tyler encompasses what we’re looking for. He plays the game physically and plays with heart and his team members will follow that lead.
“He’s a model defenseman. He plays the game correctly and plays with a physical presence. You talk about the rules of thumb, you want hard work, guys that are first on the puck, sacrifice their body, block shots, Tyler will show that night in and night out.”
Arvai, 26, is entering his third professional season after playing in Italy last season, and in the CHL during his rookie campaign. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound defenseman has 20 goals and 42 assists in 99 professional games played over two seasons. Arvai played collegiately at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, where he totaled 54 points in 124 games in his four years.
“Arvai has a strong NCAA Division I background,” Hillman said, “and had two outstanding years as a professional. He is a young, skilled player with good puck handling and passing skills that our fans will love to watch.
“Shaun will give us that offensive punch, but plays with a little bit of grit.”
Kauffeldt, 24, was named the Most Valuable Player for the SPHL last season, leading the Huntsville Havoc with 37 goals, 70 points and a plus-19 rating in 59 games.
“Travis showed last year that he is becoming a complete player,” Hillman said. “Having coached against him for two seasons I have a great deal of respect for Travis and believe he will be an impact player in the CHL. Travis plays with grit and does not back down physically.
“He also has a very hard shot and good nose for the net. Travis is a rookie in this league but brings a great deal of experience from his three seasons with Huntsville.”
Kauffeldt makes it three of four players that Hillman has played or coached against on the team.
“It would be silly to take someone’s line over someone who I’ve seen with my own eyes,” Hillman said. “There are going to be some guys that I haven’t seen with my own eyes, but I want to trust not only my opinions, but the opinions of other players and key leaders. Now we have three guys that know this league very well with (winger and assistant coach) Jeff (Christian) and Tyler, and the three of us will work as a team to continue to put the pieces of the puzzle together.”
Hillman said he is “real close” with a number of other players who have quality resumes.
“Obviously, our veteran signings are very important, and we’re not rushing into those,” he said. “But if we get our hands around the right guys and we’re there, we’re in talks with three or four other veteran players with real good resumes for this league, hopefully we’ll move on those guys and some young guys, too.
“Hopefully, we’ll be announcing some more guys sometime next week.”
The Mavericks will begin their inaugural season at the new Independence Events Center in November. Season tickets are on sale. Call the front office at (816) 252-PUCK (7825) or visit www.MissouriMavericks.com for more information.
The Mavericks cashed in quickly on the flood of new free agents in the Central Hockey League.
The Mavericks have added to their first-year roster, signing an all-star defenseman, a promising young defenseman and an explosive forward.
Longtime CHL veteran defenseman Tyler Fleck (please see column), defenseman Shaun Arvai and 2009 Southern Professional Hockey League MVP Travis Kauffeldt all signed to play for the expansion club. The Mavericks’ roster now sits at a total of four players including 2007 CHL MVP Jeff Christian, who will also serve as an assistant coach.
Fleck, 30, is entering his 11th professional season and first outside of the Oklahoma City Blazers organization. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound defenseman has played in 545 professional games and tallied 172 points while amassing 1,209 penalty minutes, all with the Blazers.
Fleck is a two-time CHL All-Star (2004, 2009) and was co-captain of the 2009 CHL All-Star team. The Carlyle, Saskatchewan, native was a member of the 2000-01 Blazers championship squad.
“It’s great to be here,” Fleck said. “I’ve never been a free agent before. The thought of a new franchise and being part of the team really sold me here.
“Ultimately, I think it was (team president) Brad Lund, he’s been good to play for, for 10 years. I know how he works and how he operates, and it’s first class.”
Lund was previously an executive with the now-defunct Oklahoma City Blazers franchise, which folded earlier this month.
Hillman was happy to add another well-qualified leader to his team along with Christian.
“We’re certainly excited. Your veteran signings are so key to establishing the base for your organization,” Hillman said. “Tyler is not only looked upon as a great hockey player but a great leader, and that’s what we want our veterans to be. He was one of the most sought after free-agent defensemen in the league, and we’re very fortunate to have him with us here in Independence.”
Fleck was named Best Defensive Defenseman in the CHL’s 2008-09 Best of the Best Poll, he was also voted Best Leader and finished third in the voting for Best Bodychecker.
Fleck, 30, will be the second of four veterans for the Mavs, as the CHL, a developmental league, only allows for four players that have played over 300 professional games to a team. Fleck, regarded as one of the best defensive defensemen in the league, is ready for the responsibility that’s coming to him.
“I’ve been filling that leadership role for the past five years, so I don’t think anything is going to change as far as being in that role. In that environment, I thrive,” he said. “That’s just me.”
Hillman, who had been harping about developing a nose-to-the-grindstone type of team, believes he got the kind of player he wanted in Fleck.
“Tyler’s a quality individual and quality hockey player,” Hillman said. “Tyler encompasses what we’re looking for. He plays the game physically and plays with heart and his team members will follow that lead.
“He’s a model defenseman. He plays the game correctly and plays with a physical presence. You talk about the rules of thumb, you want hard work, guys that are first on the puck, sacrifice their body, block shots, Tyler will show that night in and night out.”
Arvai, 26, is entering his third professional season after playing in Italy last season, and in the CHL during his rookie campaign. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound defenseman has 20 goals and 42 assists in 99 professional games played over two seasons. Arvai played collegiately at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, where he totaled 54 points in 124 games in his four years.
“Arvai has a strong NCAA Division I background,” Hillman said, “and had two outstanding years as a professional. He is a young, skilled player with good puck handling and passing skills that our fans will love to watch.
“Shaun will give us that offensive punch, but plays with a little bit of grit.”
Kauffeldt, 24, was named the Most Valuable Player for the SPHL last season, leading the Huntsville Havoc with 37 goals, 70 points and a plus-19 rating in 59 games.
“Travis showed last year that he is becoming a complete player,” Hillman said. “Having coached against him for two seasons I have a great deal of respect for Travis and believe he will be an impact player in the CHL. Travis plays with grit and does not back down physically.
“He also has a very hard shot and good nose for the net. Travis is a rookie in this league but brings a great deal of experience from his three seasons with Huntsville.”
Kauffeldt makes it three of four players that Hillman has played or coached against on the team.
“It would be silly to take someone’s line over someone who I’ve seen with my own eyes,” Hillman said. “There are going to be some guys that I haven’t seen with my own eyes, but I want to trust not only my opinions, but the opinions of other players and key leaders. Now we have three guys that know this league very well with (winger and assistant coach) Jeff (Christian) and Tyler, and the three of us will work as a team to continue to put the pieces of the puzzle together.”
Hillman said he is “real close” with a number of other players who have quality resumes.
“Obviously, our veteran signings are very important, and we’re not rushing into those,” he said. “But if we get our hands around the right guys and we’re there, we’re in talks with three or four other veteran players with real good resumes for this league, hopefully we’ll move on those guys and some young guys, too.
“Hopefully, we’ll be announcing some more guys sometime next week.”
The Mavericks will begin their inaugural season at the new Independence Events Center in November. Season tickets are on sale. Call the front office at (816) 252-PUCK (7825) or visit www.MissouriMavericks.com for more information.
