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Hockey Adds Three for 2007-08 Campaign

Canisius coach Dave Smith announced today that three players have committed to play for the Golden Griffins. Cory Conacher (Burlington, Ont.) Brandon Cummings (Kindersley, Saskatchewan) and Derek Danowski (Warren, Mich.) will suit up for the Golden Griffins in 2007-08.

“We're excited as a coaching staff about the three players that we've signed for next season,” Smith said. “They fit the speed, skill and competitiveness mold that we're building our team around. They will help with addressing our needs of having more offensive depth.”
Conacher spent last season with the Burlington Cougars of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League, the same team that rising junior Spencer Churchill played for prior to Canisius. Conacher ranked third on the Cougars with 62 points in 48 games, which included eight games of three points or more. The 5-foot-8 forward was named to the OPJHL West Rookie All-Star Team, earned Rookie of the Year Honors from the Cougars as well as the team's Most Promising Player award.

“Cory has all three of those characteristics we like in a player,” Smith said. “We expect him to step in and be a part of what we try to do as a team and contribute to our program's goals on and off the ice.”

Cummings has spent the last three seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Powell River Kings, the same junior team as Canisius defenseman Chris Forsman. Cummings, an All-Star in the BCHL in 2007, had his best season in 2006-07 when he tallied 37 goals and 42 assists in 49 games. The 5-foot-11 forward tied for 14th in the league with 79 points and 11th in goals. Cummings was second on Powell River in all three scoring categories, and in 2003, Cummings played for Saskatchewan in the 2003 Canadian Winter Games.

“Brandon can score goals and be a contributor offensively,” Smith said. “He has a great stick and a nose for the net. Being from Saskatchewan, Brandon also has that element of grit, which is important for our team's success.”

Danowski is playing in the North American Hockey League for the St. Louis Bandits, who just advanced to the finals of the NAHL playoffs. Danowski had 27 points in 19 regular-season games. Previously, the 5-foot-9 forward played for two seasons with the Texas Tornado of the NAHL and in both of those seasons the Tornado won the NAHL Championship. During the 2005-06 season, Danowski was second on the team in points (61), assists (34) and goals (27) in 58 games.

“Derek is a top-line player who has proven to be a part of championship teams on the junior level,” Smith said. “He has good experience from his time in the NAHL and has shown to be a point producer.”

During the early signing period, Smith signed three players to National Letters of Intent ? David Kostuch (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Vincent Scarsella (Lackawanna, N.Y.) and Mike Scheu (Buffalo, N.Y.). Kostuch and Scheu played for the Markham Waxers of the Ontario Provincial Junior “A” Hockey League. Kostuch was fifth in the league 75 points and second overall with 10 game-winning goals to earn the Most Valuable Player award for the South Division of the OPJHL. Scheu was third on the Waxers with 51 points in 38 games and also ranked 13th in the league with five game-winning goals. Playing for St. Francis Prep, Scarsella became the first player in school history to have 200 career points. Scarsella also was named a First-Team All-Star by the Midwest Prep Hockey League for the third time after leading the team with 71 points in 42 games.
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Players Mentioned

Spencer Churchill

#9 Spencer Churchill

F
6' 0"
Sophomore
Chris Forsman

#4 Chris Forsman

D
5' 10"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Spencer Churchill

#9 Spencer Churchill

6' 0"
Sophomore
F
Chris Forsman

#4 Chris Forsman

5' 10"
Freshman
D