Miramichi club brings in former major junior players

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MIRAMICHI - The Miramichi Timberwolves are adding a lot of experience to their line-up for the upcoming Maritime Junior A Hockey League season.

New head coach and general manager Billy McGuigan helped solidify his defence by acquiring 20-year-old Julien Machabee, who was born in P.E.I. but lives in Ontario. Machabee has four years experience in major junior, playing three years with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League before joining the Gatineau Olympics for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship last season and a trip to the Memorial Cup.

Machabee, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, had 13 points in 61 regular season games last season to go with 55 penalty minutes.

"Signing Machabee is a great move for the Miramichi organization. He will bolster our defence and he brings the bonus of major junior experience," McGuigan said.

"Not many teams are fortunate enough to bring in someone who has a QMJHL championship under his belt to go along with Memorial Cup experience. He knows what it takes to win."

The second recent addition is Graham Telford, a 19-year-old forward who has experience in the QMJHL and Western Hockey League. He will not be hard to find on the ice as he stands 6-foot-6 and weighs in the 230 pounds range.

"Telford likes to work hard and is strong along the boards and in front of the net. He is willing to go to war for his teammates and to do whatever it takes to win," McGuigan said.

"We definitely won't be pushed around this season. He adds another dimension to our lineup and is not afraid to drop the mitts."

Miramichi has also picked up 20-year-old forward Kyle MacDonald, who was an assistant captain with the Charlottetown Abbies last year. MacDonald was acquired in a trade with Bridgewater (formerly Halifax Wolverines) for forward Paul Ross. McGuigan described MacDonald as "a good skater and a good center man who has some scoring touch."

Another player familiar to McGuigan is 18-year-old forward Jessie McIntyre who played for him with the Abbies last season.

"He is young, but he scored a few for us last season, and he should only get better," said McGuigan. McIntyre will be attending the OHL's Niagara IceDogs training camp.

McGuigan also traded defenceman Justin Russell to Woodstock Slammers for 18-year-old forward Matt Milson of Miramichi. Milson will be attending the Moncton Wildcats camp.

McGuigan confirmed that goalie Brad Dyke has committed to the T-Wolves for this season. Evan Mosher, who shared the duties with Dyke last season, will attend the P.E.I. Rocket camp. Pending the outcome there, he will be also welcomed back to the Timberwolves.

Miramichi has traded forward Carl Hayes to Yarmouth for a fifth round pick and future considerations.