Troy, OH - The Troy Bruins are proud to announce that veteran defensemen and team captains Lee McClure and Manny Lopez have been called up by the Bruins North American Hockey League affiliate Janesville Jets, and will report for practice with the Jets on Wednesday afternoon.
Lopez, a native of San Jose, California, receives this opportunity at the next level after nearly calling it quits at the beginning of the season. After a childhood and teenage years playing hockey in California and Montana, Lopez thought his dream of advancing his career to the higher levels was behind him. It wasn't until last November when the hockey bug once again bit him, and at the urging of longtime friend and current Bruins head coach Shane Hicke, Lopez would join the Bruins for their inaugural campaign. His presence on and off the ice was felt immediately, as Hicke was quick to award him for his dedication and leadership by naming him a team captain in early December. After being notified of his opportunity early Tuesday afternoon, Lopez commented "I just want to thank Shane and Rick (Szabo) for giving me the chance to work towards my goals and provide me with an opportunity to move up to a higher level, and that was the main reason why I wanted to come to Troy and be a Bruin." Lopez, described as a "stay home" defenseman, heads to Wisconsin with one goal and four assists.
For McClure, the NAHL is no stranger. After an outstanding underclassman career as Beavercreek High School's leading forward, McClure advanced his career to the JrA level, first in the Central States Hockey League with the Columbus Jr BlueJackets, then got his shot to move up the hockey ladder in Youngstown, Ohio with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms of the NAHL his senior year. While his stay with the Phantoms wasn't as long as McClure had hoped, his experience at such a high level of hockey has helped him train and develop his abilities while he waited for another taste, one which he wasn't sure would ever come. After graduating high school in 2008, McClure played one season of division two club hockey for Wright State University, but it simply wasn't enough. Then came the Bruins. After wowing the coaching staff and fans over the summer, McClure quickly became a star player, until head coach Shane Hicke moved the goal scorer to defense. Assuring him that teams at the next level were searching for talented "offensive defensemen", McClure settled into his role over the course of the first half of the season, at one point trading points leads with forward Josh Tucker, all from the Blueline. With his powerful shot and skating ability, McClure's second chance finally arrived thanks to his dedication and hard work chasing his dream this season in a Bruins uniform.
Lopez and McClure join current Texas Tornado Justin Laconte as former Bruins in the NAHL, the USA's "Tier 2" hockey league. Hicke noted "that with our top guys getting these career building opportunities at the next level, it gives our younger guys a chance to prove themselves and step up here in Troy. It's a true Win-Win for a developmental club such as ourselves"
The Bruins return home to the historic Hobart Arena in Troy to host the Jamestown Jets for the first time ever on Saturday, February 6 at 8pm and Sunday, February 7 at 1:30pm. Saturday is "Hits1055 Night", with live remotes pregame by WMVR DJs, as well as a special souvenir giveaway for the first 500 fans in attendance. Saturday is also "Ginghamsburg Church Clubhouse Night" with The Clubhouse kids program making a visit to Hobart Arena, complete with a post game meet and greet and locker room tour. As part of the event, the Bruins will be donating $1.50 back from each ticket sold by Ginghamsburg back to the Clubhouse program as a fundraiser.
For more information, please call (937) 985-PUCK or visit www.TroyBruins.com.
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