CHL Hockey

AG Enforcer · Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:45 am NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO - The bleeding continues.

DeSantis & O'Keefe to Patrol Bison Blueline
The Basingstoke Bison today become a force to be reckoned with, and are elated to confirm Canadian defenceman Mark DeSantis as the latest arrival for the 2006-2007 season.

The Brampton, Ontario native joins the Bison with the pedigree of a marquee player. DeSantis was a CHL All-Star during 2005-2006 when he won the hardest shot competition with an 88mph slapshot. DeSantis has been a CHL All-Star on 4 previous occasions. He has also been an OHL First-Team All Star, the WPHL Oustanding Defenceman of the Year and has been a runner up for the same award in the CHL during his 13 year professional career.

DeSantis, who scored 45 points (11+34=45) in 62 games whilst taking 163 penalty minutes as Captain/Assistant Coach of the Amarillo Gorillas, whilst also gaining a +8 rating to lead all Amarillo defenceman in goals, assists, points, penalty minutes and +/-. DeSantis has also suited up in the AHL, IHL, ECHL, WPHL, CHL & OHL across his career. He has a professional total of 507 points (122+385=507) and 2104 penalty minutes.

DeSantis was excited about playing his first European season with the Bison and stated, "I am very excited about joining Basingstoke, I've had a good career based in the United States, but I am really looking forward to a new challenge and hopefully winning an Elite League championship in Basingstoke "

Overjoyed by this signing, Coach Doug Sheppard had this to say about his new addition, "I'm thrilled to have Mark DeSantis on board with the Bison, he brings a wealth of experience and leadership. He is a complete defenceman, Mark is the type of player who will excel in any situation, both offensively and defensively. He is such a valuable addition to the club, I look for him to log a lot of ice time."

gorillakido · Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:45 pm

edited.

untruthful.

i know my hockey, and this post wasnt it.

texasgirl2442 · Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:58 pm

I have been told that playing in Europe is something that everyone should do, which is probably why Mark has decided to go there. However, I do not agree with you when you say that he has hardly made it here, and will not make it there. I highly doubt that if he is such a poor quality player or person that he would be the captain of a team, be selected as an All Star on more than one occaision, and win awards and competitions. He is making what he feels is the best decision for him at this time. As fans, we should support him in his decision and hope that perhaps one day his memories of this town and team will persuade him to come back to Amarillo and become a part of this organization once more.

gorillakido · Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:00 pm

ok.

i was just mad earlier, he problay can make it there.

mark had a great season here, which is the reason i was so upset and didnt want him to leave. i know what i say isnt going to change anything, he was a great player and will problay be better in europe. but i really wished mark would stay here and in my opinion he would be better off here in amarillo becuase he's the only player on our team right now to provide the leadership.

herefordloveshockey2 · Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:18 pm

:icon_angry-smiley-055: Were just screwed we are not looking good so far. What is up man we better be bring in some good no GREAT players.

gorillakido · Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:24 pm

amen.

were going to half to sign some big big players before season starts.

i know this new coach hopefully will bring some players from where we last was, which could be a plus.

hopefully, this coach cuts the standard here in amarillo.

i dont want to be another fort worth.

monkeyfan · Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:38 am

The Amarillo Gorillas have a great record. Amarillo and Laredo are the only teams to make it to the last four consecutive play-offs. Amarillo may have never won the cup but they were always contenders. The new fans and younger fans don't remember the Rattler days. This year may not be what the new and younger fans are used to. The team will be different. Amarillo may not make it to the playoffs. What the team needs now is fans who are going to support the team through all the changes. The ownership has shown a commitment to success and the Gorillas will be great again, but this season may not be what we would like. Hopefully with the announcement of the new coach today we will begin to see more player announcements and fan morale will improve.

Kido - you remind me of a couple of guys a few years ago who were quite opinionated on expressing thier uneducated thoughts on the board. Mark was mature enough to post his phone number and ask one of the posters to call him. The poster quickly learned that Mark and all the players are professionals and since has become a more educated hockey fan and no longer posts personal ettacks on players. You have the right to your opinion but your fair-wheather fan attitude is what the team does not need right now. We all are upset that Mark will not be playing in Amarillo next year, but there are far better ways to express your opinion than ranting. If you are a true fan of the team you need to back up, settle in, and get ready to support the team no matter what.

AG Enforcer · Fri Aug 11, 2006 1:50 pm

I agree with monkeyfan that we need to be behind the team no matter what. Hell, I stuck with the Cowboys during the 1-15 season in '89 - you don't think that was tough? However, I don't think that kido is a fair-weather fan. What little I do know about him makes me believe that he is behind the Gorillas 100%. Ok, maybe 95%.

I have high hopes for the team - there's still 2 months to go before the season begins. See ya'll this afternoon.

backupgoalie · Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:38 pm

Try being an Icebat fan for the past three years. You hope for a return of the good old days when we had BOTH Brent Hughes. Now you have 1 and we have NONE. Which is the amount of times we been in the playoffs the past 3 seasons.

gorillakido · Fri Aug 11, 2006 5:16 pm

i know monkeyfan.

what i said about mark was wrong, i was just steaming.

im really gonna miss that guy.

i will be behind the gorillas 100% as long as there here in amarillo, i was behind the rattlers when i went to there games as a really young kid. they lost a whole bunch but i still wanted to go back every single night. im not a fair-weather fan, i love this team and the game and i always will. i wont ever leave it just because we might not make the playoffs. ill be there to support these guys whether they make the playoffs or not. i just hope the best for these guys this year.

btw, enforcer your brave sticking it out with the cowboys so long.

:icon_laughing-smiley-014:

thatbritishguy · Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:34 am

whilst the people at the club were very excited about blair manning coming to basingstoke i am more excited by mark joining us...he's what our d lacked last season, a real leader there...god bless duncan dalmao and doug shepperd :icon_laughing-smiley-014:

what can you guys tell me about mark and how he plays so we know what to expect?

gorillakido · Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:09 pm

mark is a great player.

your really getting a treat.

he has one killer slapper and is dangerous with space in front of the net. some nights he has an offensive mood but he does play his defense well. he sticks up for himself and his teammates and provides leadership when no one else will.

hes definetly something anyone should take if they got the chance.

pivalleygirl · Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:25 pm

Wow, kido! Can I try him? :icon_laughing-smiley-014: Just kidding!

gorillakido · Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:02 pm

no, hes ours!

was..ours.

thatbritishguy · Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:16 pm

indeed...past tense boyo...he's a bison now! :icon_grinning-smiley-003: