Brown Bears sign Fury standout to tender
The Kenai River Brown Bears have signed U18 Chicago Fury defenseman Nick Gawron to their first tender for the 2008-09 season.
The 17-year-old Lemont, Ill., native has four goals and 14 assists along 78 penalty minutes this season. At 6-foot, 185 pounds, Gawron is expected to be a big part of the Brown Bears’ future success.
“Nick has evolved into a top-notch d-man,” said Fury coach Nick Pollos. “He’s a workhorse back there for us playing in all situations. He can carry the puck, create space and loves to hit in the open ice.
“I think his best hockey is still ahead of him and (Kenai River) Coach (Mike) Flanagan and the Brown Bears will benefit from his continued development.”
Flanagan is pleased with acquiring a player of Gawron’s caliber.
“We’re looking forward to having Nick join our club for next season,” said Flanagan. “We believe he’s the type of player that can make an impact as we look to the future.
“He has good academics and good character. He’s the type of young man that we want playing for this organization and representing this community.”
The Fury competes in the Midwest Elite Hockey League, which is considered to be one of the top Tier I AAA hockey leagues in the United States.
A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team.
Each team is granted eight (8) tenders - plus or minus any trades - which become active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft.