Published: July 18, 2008 11:38 pm      

Chiefs add scoring threat to their lineup

Ryan Del Monte consistently has scored goals and collected points during the past seven hockey seasons.

Johnstown Chiefs coach Ian Herbers is confident Del Monte will continue that trend during the coming ECHL season. Herbers and the Chiefs announced Del Monte’s signing on Friday.

“We’re excited to have him,” Herbers said during a telephone interview while on a recruiting trip in Saskatchewan. “He helped lead Brock to the nationals for the CIS for the first time in their history. He was a big part of that. We’re expecting a lot of things. We’re looking forward to having him in Johnstown. He should be somebody for the fans to watch this year. He will bring some excitement to the building.”

Del Monte, 6-foot, 190 pounds, led Brock University with 19 goals and 35 points in 25 games last season in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).

He ranked ninth in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and 16th in the CIS in scoring.

Of more significance, as a senior Del Monte helped the Badgers win the OUA West Division title and earn their first berth in the Cavendish University Cup national championship tournament.

“He’s somebody that will make players around him better,” Herbers said. “He will be able to get people the puck in goal-scoring areas. He will help create some offense.”

Del Monte also led the Badgers in scoring as a junior, with 15 goals and 34 points in 27 games. He was named team MVP.

In 89 career games with Brock, he had 44 goals and 103 points to become the Badgers’ first 100-point scorer in five years.

Prior to college, Del Monte played three seasons of junior hockey. In two years with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, he played with former Chiefs goaltenders Cory Campbell and Ryan Munce.

With the OPJHL’s Georgetown Raiders, Del Monte had 36 goals and 90 points in 47 games.

“We’re excited to have Ryan for this season,” Herbers said. “He’s a proven scorer at the collegiate and junior levels, so he will definitely help our offense a great deal. Ryan also has strong leadership qualities, which will be great for the locker room.”