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Awada fits the Phoenix wing

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Manchester Phoenix head coach Rick Brebant smiled contentedly as held the contract paperwork that confirmed the signing of wingman George Awada to his roster.

“From the moment we came across his name, we liked what we saw,” beamed Brebant. “George is a big, strong winger who knows where the net is and likes to play a fast skating style of game. Everyone we spoke to said good things about him, and I’m already thinking of linking him with Shin Larsson-Yahata on a fast skating, skilful line.”

Originally from Mendota Heights in Minnesota, George Awada stands 6ft 2ins, weighs in at 210lbs and is a right shot right-winger. After playing four years of college hockey with St.Cloud State University, he played 11 games with the Albany River Rats, the AHL farm club of the New Jersey Devils before signing a one-year contract as a free agent.

After training camp with the Devils including two exhibition games, George played his first full professional year with the Albany club. He then spent a season with the Richmond Renegades before being the leading scorer with the New Orleans Brass in season 2001-02. Last season he played with the Florida Everblades scoring 21 goals and 29 assists in 72 appearances.

“I like a skating style of game,” Awada noted, “I played junior and college hockey on Olympic sized ice pads so the bigger surface holds no problems for me. This move to Manchester comes at a good time as I’d been thinking of a move to Europe and people I’ve spoken to say England and Manchester is a great place to play. I’m looking forward to getting there and helping a new club make its mark in the new league.”

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