pivalleygirl
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| Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:43 am I Think Dough Can Take Him |
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Bucks Sign Big Defenseman
07/17/06 - Central Hockey League (CHL) Laredo Bucks
Laredo Bucks
LAREDO, Texas - On Monday the 2006 CHL President's Cup Champion Laredo Bucks announced the signing of defenseman Justin Togiai (toe-ge-i). Togiai played two years of major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League. He is the fourth player signed by the Bucks this off season. The Bucks are offering a family four pack of tickets for six easy payments of $166.50. For more info on 2006-07 Bucks season tickets log onto www.laredobucks.com or call (956) 718-BUCK (2825).
Togiai, 6' 2" 225 pounds, is from Kennewick, WA. He played two seasons with his hometown Tri-City Americans in the WHL, becoming the first locally grown player to play for the Ams. He then finished his junior career with the South Surrey Eagles in the British Columbia Hockey League in 2003-04.
"Justin is a solid stay at home defenseman," said Bucks head coach Terry Ruskowski. "He is coming off a successful junior career and has great size. He moves the puck well and we feel he will be a great addition to our hockey club."
Togiai, age 22, was introduced to hockey by his mother at age 5 when he went skating on a pond by her parents' home in Whitefish, Mont.
He grew up playing in the Tri-City Amateur Hockey Association.
His first season was the association's second in existence, and he progressed to where he starred for the Tri-City Midget AA's in 2000-01, when he had 57 goals and 47 assists in 58 games.
Togiai was the first player from the junior hockey program in the Tri-Cities to be invited to a National Hockey League training camp. He attended camp with the NHL San Jose Sharks in the fall of 2002.
Togiai also had a promising future in football growing up. He was named to the all-camp team with the Southridge High School Suns at the University of Idaho football camp, and as a 265-pound tackle was drawing interest from Idaho and Idaho State.
Togiai has spent the last year attending classes at Washington State University. He walked onto the WSU football team as a linebacker in the spring on 2005.
"I am really excited to play competitive hockey again," said Togiai. "I regretted not playing pro after my junior career got over and now I am fortunate to have the chance."
Justin's older brother John played major junior in the WHL with Portland. |
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