July 15, 2009

Mavericks' Inaugural Season to Feature Fleck

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri – Missouri Mavericks’ head coach Scott Hillman announced Tuesday the Central Hockey League (CHL) club has signed longtime CHL veteran defensemen Tyler Fleck, who played at Quinnipiac, for the Mavericks’ inaugural 2009-10 season.

Fleck, 30, is entering his 11th professional season and first outside of the Oklahoma City Blazers organization. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound defenseman has played in 545 professional games and tallied 172 points (34-138=172) while amassing 1,209 penalty minutes all with the Blazers. Fleck is a two-time CHL All-Star (2004, 2009) and was co-captain of the 2009 CHL All-Star team. The Carlyle, Saskatchewan native was a member of the 2000-01 Blazers championship squad. Fleck was named Best Defensive Defenseman in the CHL’s 2008-09 Best of the Best Poll, he was also voted Best Leader and finished third in the voting for Best Bodychecker. Off the ice, Fleck created a website for a former teammate of his, Les Borsheim. The website - TeamBorsheim.com - is dedicated to his teammate who was involved in a motorcycle accident in June of 2007 that left him nearly paralyzed and in critical condition.

“Tyler Fleck is recognized throughout the CHL as a leader, someone who is always willing to sacrifice for his team both on and off the ice,” said Mavericks’ coach Scott Hillman. “He brings a big physical presence to our blue line and is a great shot blocker. Tyler was one of the most sought after free-agent defensemen in the league and we are very fortunate to have him with us here in Independence.”