Storm to sign point-a-game ECHL veteran
8/4/2005The Toledo Storm today is expected to sign a veteran who has played for five ECHL teams and has a knack for creativity.
Mark Turner, a 37-year-old center from Windsor, Ont., has played in five minor leagues since making his debut with Cincinnati in 1990-91.
Turner ranks in the top 20 in ECHL history in several offensive categories. He is ranked 14th all time in assists (325), 16th in points (532) and 19th in goals scored with 207. Turner has averaged more than a point a game in 509 ECHL contests.
Storm coach Nick Vitucci, a former Toledo goaltender, said he respected Turner's skills when he faced the elusive forward in ECHL games.
"Being a goaltender, I was very aware that he is an extremely creative hockey player," he said. "He can still be a top player in this league."
Turner also has spent time in the Ontario Hockey League, International Hockey League, Colonial Hockey League and British Ice Hockey Superleague. He played last season for the Richmond Riverdogs of the United Hockey League. He had 17 goals and 31 assists for Richmond.
Turner scored a career-high 46 goals and tallied a career best 104 points in 61 games with the Muskegon Fury of the CoHL in 1993-94.
"We're looking for leadership from him," Vitucci said. "He should make the younger players better. He's still very gifted.''
Turner is the third player from Windsor the Storm has signed this off-season. Jason Maleyko and Mike James both re-signed with the team last month.
"I think with what's happening in the NHL, guys are seeing players wanting to play closer to home and they're doing the same," Vitucci said.
Contact Mark Monroe at:
mmonroe@theblade.com
or 419-724-6110.