Fresno Monsters head coach Kevin Kaminski announced the addition of 11 athletes that will make up the 2018-19 incoming class this fall. The following includes six forwards, four defensemen and a goaltender, three of whom are returning players.
Let's meet the newest Monsters -
Gustaf Wränghede – He posted 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) and a plus-6 rating in 32 games with Huddinge IK in J20 Elit during last season. "The gritty forward will add experience and should make an immediate impact" said Scandinavian Hockey Consulting. With 132 career games in the Swedish Junior Hockey system, Wränghede recorded 63 points (23 goals, 40 assists), 79 penalty minutes and a plus-24 rating. The five-foot-seven, 170-pound forward is a native of Stockholm, Sweden.
Gabe Cognac - Current Cognac holds a GAA of 3.10 and a SVS% of .853 in 10 games with Orange County HC in 18U AA. "We look for Gabe to have a great attitude and work ethic in order to challenge for the top spot" said Monsters Head Coach Kevin Kaminksi. Before Orange County HC, Cognac had played for the Torrance Destroyers in the LA Kings High School Hockey League where he had a GAA of 4.01 and a SVS% of .874. The six-foot-one, 190-pound goalie is a native of Torrance, California.
Stanislav Danayev – At 19 years old, Stanislav has posted 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) in 10 games with Fenix PMGMU Moskva in MSHL3. "Stanislav is a strong powerful skater who has great vision making his offensive instincts on another level" said Monsters Head Coach Kevin Kaminksi. Danayev last played for the Aviatory MAI Moskva during the 2017-18' season and help the team move on to win the the MSHL1 Championship. The five-foot-eleven, 176-pound forward is a native of Moscow, Russia.
Dustin Truex - Truex last posted 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 28 games with the Idaho IceCats in the WSHL during the 2017-18' season. "Truex is the very definition of committed..." said Monsters Head Coach Kevin Kaminski. "He posses a relentless work ethic and brings a very physical presence to the game which is going to fit in nicely with our systems." Truex also played in the NA3HL with a total of 41 career games. While there he recorded 17 points (9 goals, 8 assists), 24 penalty minutes, and a plus-16 rating. The five-foot-eight, 165-pound forward is a native of Boise, Idaho.
Tristan Baker – At age 16, Baker posted 1 point (0 goals, 1 assists) in 14 games with the Fresno Monsters in the WSHL. "T-Bone got his feet wet last year, and even though he's small in stature he plays with a big heart along with a great work ethic" said Monsters Head Coach Kevin Kaminski. This will be Baker's second year playing in the WSHL and for the Fresno Monsters. Tristan's cousin, Kyle Baker, had previously played for the Monsters before moving onto Worcester State University. The five-foot-seven, 135-pound forward is a native of Fresno, California.
Jonathan Holguin – He posted 18 points (5 goals, 13 assists) in 40 games with Hartford Jr. Wolfpack in USPHL Elite. "He has a few years of junior hockey under his belt now so we're looking for him to step up, have a good year, and become a 200 foot player" said Monsters Head Coach Kevin Kaminski. Before Hartford, Holguin had played for the Fresno Monsters in the WSHL. In 45 games played, he had amassed 2 goals and 6 assists. The six-foot-one, 170-pound forward is a native of Fresno, California.
Artem Shura - Posted 4 points (0 goals, 4 assists) and a plus-18 rating in 32 games with HK Trnava U20 in Slovakia U20 2. "Artem was a player I had seen at the CCM showcase and I could see that he has great defense awareness" said Monsters Head Coach Kevin Kaminksi. " He's a solid stay at home defenseman with good D-Zone posture and a solid skater." Before playing with HK Trnava, Shura had played for Olimpiyets Balashikha U18 in Russia U18. The six-foot, 183-pound defenseman is a native of Moskva, Russia.
Taylor Hiatt - Posted 7 points (6 goals, 1 assists) in 45 games with the Fresno Monsters during last season. "Hiatt gives the team good depth as he can play defensively or as a forward" said Monsters Head Coach Kevin Kaminski. "Over the past few years he's evolved as player and become accountable. The guys love having him on the team and I think it's because he knows how to do all the little things." This will be Taylor Hiatt's third year with the Fresno Monsters and third year playing in the WSHL. The five-foot-nine, 145-pound defenseman is a native of Fresno, California.
Deakan Fielder - Posted 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 20 games with Okanagan Hockey Academy UK U18 “C” in England U18. "Fielder is an excellent skater and knows how to move the puck" said Monsters Head Coach Kevin Kaminksi. "He know when to rush in to help create a good offense and I see him fitting in nicely with our system." Before playing with Okanagan Hockey Academy, Fielder had played for Swindon Wildcats in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL). The five-foot-nine, 190-pound defenseman is a native of Telford, England.
Zackory Turpin - At only 19 years old, posted 13 points (9 goals, 4 assists) in 42 games with the Fresno Monsters during last season. "Turpin brings a lot of physical presence to the game as a power forward" said Monsters Head Coach Kevin Kaminski. "He does all the little things I ask for and has shown himself to be a great leader with his work ethic. We're gonna be looking to him as a player to create greasy goals and block shots." This will be Zackory Turpin's second year with the Fresno Monsters and second year playing in the WSHL. The six-foot-one, 190-pound forward is a native of Lions Bay, Canada.
Jackson Bauml - Posted 8 points (5 goals, 3 assists) in 37 games with West Central Rage in the Prairie Junior Hockey League. "Jackson brings some great energy and grit to this game" said Monsters Head Coach Kevin Kaminksi. "He goes in hard on the forecheck and hits anything that moves. He's a farm boy from Saskatchewan, which means you know he's gonna be relentless and have a great work ethic." Before playing with West Central Rage, Bauml had played for the Kindersley Red Lions in the Sask West Hockey League. The six-foot defenseman is a native of Saskatchewan, Canada.