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PrairieThunder signs pair of physical skaters
By Douglas Hamm
dhamm@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON — Bloomington PrairieThunder coach Derek Booth added some muscle to his roster Wednesday with the signings of veteran defenseman Vince Malts and rookie winger Ken Patzack.

The 29-year-old Malts, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound Philadelphia native, has eight years of professional experience between the ECHL and the former United Hockey League. Patzack, a 6-foot, 228-pounder, began his career with the Estevan Bruins in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in 2002.

“You always need your physical players,” Booth said. “There’s the finesse side and the physical side to the game, and if you can bring in players that can play both sides like these two guys you want them on your team.”

Malts made his professional debut with the Arkansas RiverBlades in the ECHL in 1999. He has played in 322 games in his career, collecting 57 goals, 87 assists and 980 penalty minutes. Malts played with former UHL member Rockford in 2004-05.

Malts played only six games during the 2005-06 season before “family matters” forced him off the ice until this coming season.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about Malts,” Booth said. “He’s had a whole year to get in shape and heal injuries he might have had previously. He’s ready to get back after it on the ice, and he’s another physical presence that will really help on the ‘D’ side of it. Vince is a very good skater and he understands this league.”

Panzack, who played five games last season in the Quebec Hockey League before returning to Estevan, has seven goals, 18 assists and 739 minutes in penalties during his 143-game junior career.

“Ken works hard and plays with a lot of passion,” Booth said. “He’s as tough as nails. He’s a young kid trying to move up the ladder of the game.”

The signings of Malts and Panzack bring the total number of signees for the Thunder to nine. The others include goalie Derek Dolson, Jarrod Skalde, Don Parsons, Tim Schneider, Sam Miller, Jamison Orr and Casey Handrahan. Booth anticipates bringing 24 players to preseason training camp when it begins Oct. 8.

Bloomington will open the International Hockey League regular season Oct. 20 at Flint. The Thunder’s first home game will be Oct. 26 at 7:05 p.m. against the Fort Wayne Komets at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

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