SteelHounds' Margeson is in fold

Print Story

Email to Friend

Discuss this story

The defenseman is coming off a breakthrough campaign with 39 points.

YOUNGSTOWN — Defenseman Stephen Margeson is the second member of the Youngstown SteelHounds to sign a contract for the 2007-08 season.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Margeson, 25, is coming off a break-through season during the 2006-07 campaign that placed him on the map as one of the top defensemen in the Central Hockey League .

Last October, the Banff, Alberta, native attended SteelHounds training camp looking to solidify a spot as one of the final defensemen on the roster. He emerged as one of the best defenders, skaters and offensive threats the team had throughout the season.

"It was easy to see that Stephen had unbelievable talent form the first time I saw him on the ice," SteelHounds coach Kevin Kaminski said.

"I couldn't believe he had not had better offensive numbers with as much speed and hockey sense that he had, but he certainly came through for us," Kaminski said. "I could see his confidence grow during the entire season."

Played in every game

The 6-3, 210-pound defenseman played in all 64 games and finished with 17 goals, 22 assists and 39 points.

Margeson was assessed 125 penalty minutes and was a plus 21 in the plus/minus rating.

In six playoff games, he posted three goals and two assists. His 17 goals ranked third among CHL defensemen and his +21 was fifth.

Margeson was recognized by his teammates at the end of the season by earning the SteelHounds' Most Improved Player award as well as being named the team's "Unsung Hero."

"It came down to him believing in what he was capable of and once he made his mind up that he was going to be the best, he never looked back," Kaminski said.

During his previous time in the CHL, Margeson played 24 games with the New Mexico Scorpions (2002-03) and 133 games with the Memphis RiverKings. In those 157 games, he had six goals and 27 assists.

After the SteelHounds' season ended with a six-game playoff loss to Colorado, Margeson was rewarded with his first American Hockey League call-up, dressing in two games with the Syracuse Crunch, the top AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Margeson joins fellow defenseman Jeff Alcombrack as returning players signed by Youngstown this offseason.

Friday, June 29, 2007