Fredonia senior Taylor Bourne (Calgary, Alberta) has signed a contract with the Huntsville (Ala.) Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League.
The signing comes in time for Bourne to potentially dress Saturday afternoon against the Mississippi River Kings. The Havoc will take a 21-20-3 record into the 2 p.m. game. They are sixth in the nine-team league.
"We're excited to take a look at Taylor as we look to improve for the stretch run leading to playoffs," Hunstville coach Glenn Detulleo said. "He's a dynamic player that shoots and skates well and that should help improve our offense."
A senior forward this past winter, Bourne led the Blue Devils with 13 goals and was second on the team with 24 points. He appeared in 88 games over four seasons and had 25 goals and 26 assists.
Fredonia assistant coach Michael Lysyj helped Bourne put together an audition video leading to the pro signing. A graduate of SUNY Cortland, Lysyj played in the SPHL with the Peoria Rivermen and Missssippi Surge.
"Coach Lysyj was instrumental in me getting this opportunity," Bourne said. "He spent a lot of time helping me build a 'hockey resume' and highlight video to send to teams and then spent more time sending it out to teams to get my name out there. I really believe that without his help and effort I wouldn't have gotten this chance."
A Mathematics major, Bourne make arrangements with his professors before leaving campus so that he could continue his studies while away. "They were understanding," he said, "and have begun to work with me so that I am able to graduate in the spring."
