Winnipeg, MB — The Manitoba Bison men’s hockey team continues to build on their terrific 2009-10 season with their second major new recruit announcement for the 2010-11 season – he red-shirted last season with Manitoba and played in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a defenceman in the 2008-09 season. Bisons head coach Mike Sirant is pleased to announce the commitment of Dane Crowley to the Bison program for the upcoming 2010-11 season.

Crowley, 23, was a red-shirt with Manitoba during the 2009-10 season and last played with the AHL’s Houston Aeros and East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Phoenix RoadRunners in the 2008-09 season. The 6’2, 210 lbs. defenceman notched four points (two goals and two assists) with eight penalty minutes in eight games with Houston while posting 15 points (5g, 10a) with 76 PIMs in 42 games with Phoenix.

 

 

In 2007-08 season, Crowley split time with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and Norfolk Admirals of the AHL. In 66 regular season games with Everett, the Winnipeg native had his best WHL season with 29 points (10g, 19a) with 131 penalty minutes and played in four playoff games with no points and was also an alternate captain. He also played five games with Norfolk with one assist and ten PIMs. In his five year WHL career with Saskatoon, Swift Current and Everett, Crowley registered 94 points (21g, 73a) with 533 penalty minutes in 279 regular season games. He also accumulated five points with 43 PIMs in 24 WHL playoff games.

“Dane will make an immediate impact for the Bisons and should be one of the top defenceman in the Canada West conference this season,” Sirant said. “He is a tough, physical defenceman who has excellent mobility with good playmaking abilities and a great shot. Dane is a very intense competitor with a strong will to win who will provide exceptional leadership on the ice and in the dressing room.”

 

Prior to his WHL career, Crowley played with the Winnipeg South Blues (Manitoba Junior Hockey League) in the 2003-04 season with 15 points (5g, 10a) in 33 regular season games.