The Jersey Rockhoppers announced the signing of 3 players today: defensemen Dan Force, Rich Jondo, and Dustin Henning for the upcoming 2008-2009 season.
Dan Force, a 24 year old from Southlake, TX, enters his 2nd season of professional hockey after playing 4 games with the Indiana Ice Miners of the MAHL last season. Force stands 6’1” at 205lbs and brings a heavy shot from the point. “Dan is a solid defenseman who plays aggressively. He also has a big shot that we will look to utilize on powerplay opportunities,” stated Coach Gratz. Dan played his collegiate career at Oklahoma University and also took part as a member of Team USA in the 2007 World University Games in Torino, Italy.
Rich Jondo, a 25 year old from Baltimore, MD, brings a large presence to the blue line for the Rockhoppers. At 6’3” 215lbs, Rich enters his 3rd professional season and will be called upon to be a steady presence on the blue line. “Rich had a short season last year after an injury limited him to only 10 games, but he has the tools and brings a physical presence to the defensive core and I look forward to having him compete this year,” Gratz said of his new defenseman. Jondo played 10 games for the Wooster Warriors of the MAHL last season notching 4 points (0g-4a) and 58 penalty minutes.
Dustin Henning, a 24 year old from Steamboat Springs, CO, joins the Jersey Rockhoppers after a solid season with the Indiana Ice Miners of the MAHL last year. In 30 professional games, Henning scored 13 points (2g-11a) and had 25 penalty minutes. “Dustin is not a guy that you are going to see on the score sheet every night, but he plays the game with tremendous heart and sound defensive fundamental, which is all any coach can ask of his players,” Gratz remarked. “Dustin has a team first attitude and that is exactly the type of person we are looking for.”