Sunday, June 22, 2014

This day in Indianapolis hockey history: June 22

In addition to a big draft day, there are four birthdays today: Racer/Checker Jim Park (63) & USHL Ice Eric Kattelus (27), Tyger Howat (19) and Adam Johnson (20).

June 22 in Indianapolis hockey history:
2007: The NHL Entry Draft takes place in Columbus, and four future Ice players hear their names. Brett Bruneteau goes in the fourth round to Washington, Ben Blood in the fourth round to Ottawa, Paul Carey in the fifth round to Colorado and Scott Darling in the sixth round to Phoenix. All four would play for the Ice in the 2007-08 season.
Happy birthday to ...
Jim Park: Racers goaltender from 1975-78, and also a Checkers goaltender from 1979-81. Park played 54 games with the Racers, going 23-23-4 in the regular season and posting one shutout. He blanked the New England Whalers twice in the 1976 WHA playoffs, beating them 4-0 in both Games 2 and 5 at Market Square Arena. He had a stellar 2.41 GAA in 11 games in the 1975-76 season, helping the Racers win the WHA's East Division title. He came back to Indy with the Checkers in 1979, and played 43 games over two seasons, posting a 19-17-3 record. His 3.00 GAA in 37 games helped him share the Terry Sawchuk Trophy for fewest goals allowed with teammate Richard Brodeur. He retired after the 1981-82 season. He currently runs a goaltending school in the Toronto area. A native of Toronto, he is 63.
Eric Kattelus: Left wing for the Ice in 2006-07. In 50 games, he had 18 goals and 21 assists, as well as two goals and an assist in seven playoff games, helping lead the Ice to the USHL semifinals. After a four-year career at Michigan Tech from 2007-11, he turned pro. He has played the last four seasons primarily in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings, while also playing 45 games in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves. This past season, he had 14 goals and 21 assists in 37 games for the K-Wings, and played six games for AHL Chicago. A native of Traverse City, Mich., he is 27.
Tyger Howat: Goaltender who played two games for the Ice in 2012-13, going 0-1-0 with a 4.10 GAA. This past year, he played 11 Junior A games in the BCHL and NAHL. A native of South Lyon, Mich., he is 19. 
Adam Johnson: Center who played six games for the Ice in 2012-13, tallying two assists. He played this past season for Sioux City, with 46 points in 56 games. He is committed to play collegiately at Minnesota-Duluth. A native of Hibbing, Minn., he is 20.

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