Storm bolsters roster with 2 veterans
1/3/2004The shorthanded Storm will have two new, older faces in the lineup tonight when it hosts Peoria at 7:30.
Forward Bob McKillop - a 12-year minor league veteran who has averaged better than a point per game in his career - and defenseman Shayne Tomlinson will play.
McKillop, 33, is a 6-2, 207-pound forward who has recorded 332 goals and 658 points in 630 professional starts. He spent last season with Port Huron of the United Hockey League where he scored 20 goals in 55 games. He has not played in 2003-04.
In addition to five seasons in the UHL, McKillop has appeared in the East Coast, West Coast and Colonial leagues.
Tomlinson, 30, is a six-year pro who has played in the same leagues as McKillop. He last competed in 2001-02 when he had five goals, eight assists and 97 penalty minutes in 68 games for Port Huron. His ECHL experience includes two seasons each with Richmond and Dayton.
Storm interim coach Nick Vitucci said that although the two are with the club on an emergency basis, it s possible they could have an extended stay.
Vitucci said that McKillop will likely make the trip to Illinois after the game tonight for tomorrow s rematch in Peoria. Tomlinson s availability is uncertain.
The moves are designed to bolster a roster that, because of callups and injuries, had 14 skaters last night in Wheeling; two under the ECHL limit. The latest Toledo player to be placed on the shelf is winger Derek Campbell. He separated his shoulder in practice Thursday morning and Vitucci said he ll be out 10-14 days.