Scott Fankhouser and Jeff MacMillan Sign With Bloomington Prairie Thunder

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MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - BLOOMINGTON (Ill.) – Goaltender Scott Fankhouser and defenseman Jeff MacMillan, who both logged time in the National Hockey League, have signed contracts to play for the Bloomington PrairieThunder of the International Hockey League during the 2008-09 season, it was announced Thursday during a news conference at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. The 33-year-old Fankhouser played a total of 23 games with the Atlanta Thrashers between 1999-2001, posting a 3.20 goals against average and an .895 save percentage. He was an 11^th round draft choice of the St. Louis Blues and the 276^th overall selection in the 1994 NHL draft. The 29-year-old MacMillan played four games with the Dallas Stars in 2003-04. He was a seventh-round draft choice of the Stars and the 215^th overall selection in the 1999 NHL draft. “To be able to sign two players, who were drafted by NHL teams and then played at the top level of professional hockey, makes this a great day in PrairieThunder franchise history,” said team general manager Jerry McBurney. “It goes to show the connections and relationships Jarrod (new head coach Jarrod Skalde) has throughout hockey. Jarrod has said we are building from the goaltender out, and we couldn’t have done any better than by landing these two veteran players” Fankhouser and MacMillan have played together the past two seasons. They were teammates with Vienna in the Austrian League in 2006-07 and with Manchester Phoenix of the European League last year. “He’s like a security blanket in front of me,” said Fankhouser of MacMillan. “I know what he brings to the rink every night and how strong of a defensive player he is.” MacMillan countered by saying, “Scott is a very solid goalie. He has played at the highest level and is a good puck-moving goalie. He’s one of those goalies that makes my job easier. I know if the defense makes a mistake, Scott is back there and that’s comforting.” Both players have nine years of professional experience and were teammates of Skalde’s during his playing days. Fankhouser and Skalde helped the Orlando Solar Bears win the IHL’s Turner Cup in 2000-01. They also played together with the Thrashers in the NHL and the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Fankhouser and his teammates earned the James Norris Memorial Trophy during the Solar Bears’ championship season by posting the lowest goals against average in the league. MacMillan, a native of Durham, Ontario, and Skalde were teammates with the Utah Grizzles in 2003-04. “It’s an advantage having played with Jarrod for a year because I know what he’s about not only as a player, but as a person,” said MacMillan, who has played in 635 professional games between the NHL, UHL, IHL, AHL, ECHL and the European and Austrian leagues. MacMillan, who has 36 goals and 78 assists for 114 points during his career, describes his style of play in the defensive zone as simple. “I try to stay out of trouble and make the simple plays. I like to play physical and I take pride in owning our zone,” added MacMillan, who has logged the most time in the AHL with 377 games. “My goal every night is to be an even player (plus-minus rating). I don’t worry about the offensive side of the game. Scoring goals is a bonus for me.” Fankhouser has played 369 professional games, including a combined 194 overseas in Germany, Austria and Europe. Aside from his stint in the NHL, Fankhouser has played in the ECHL, AHL and IHL where he posted a combined 83-53-15 record with a 2.37 goals against average and an .897 save percentage. The Bismarck, N.D. native has assisted on eight goals from his goalie position the last two years. In the PrairieThunder’s first two seasons, its goalies recorded one assist. “I’m a little bit old school and a little bit new school,” said Fankhouser of his playing style. “It’s all about stopping the puck. I like to play the puck a lot, so fans could get nervous with me around the net.” The signing of Fankhouser and MacMillan fill two areas Skalde targeted after accepting the head coaching position. “Goaltending was at the top of the list to address and we’ve done that by signing a player who has been to the mountain top and won a championship,” said Skalde. “Scott is a veteran, who will help the younger players. I like the way he competes and approaches the game. “Jeff MacMillan also adds a lot of experience and maturity to the team. He’s a stabilizing factor on defense. He’s very consistent and solid and can play the power play. He’s a model of consistency on defense and is very good at moving the puck up the ice.” Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed. The signings bring the PrairieThunder’s roster to four. Other players in the fold for the upcoming season are returnees Jon Booras and Don Parsons.