Flint adds two defensemen, forward, goalie

The Flint Generals are quickly adding players to their roster for the upcoming season.

Over the past week, the Generals signed four players - two defensemen, a forward and a rookie goalie.

Forward Steve Roberts has played 11 seasons of professional hockey, five seasons in Europe. The majority of his career in North America has been in the ECHL, but has also played in the AHL and IHL. Roberts’ best season was 1996-97 with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL when he had 47 goals and 26 assists for 73 points in 62 games. He followed that with 54 points (37g-17a) in 50 games the next season. Roberts spent last season with Victoria of the ECHL and had 23 points (14-9) in 34 games.

"Roberts is a very skilled offensive player, something the Generals need to be successful," Flint GM Al Sims said.

Gerard Miller and Dion Hyman are the pair of defenders.

Miller is entering his first full season of professional hockey in North America. After three seasons at the University of Vermont, Miller played in Germany for a season and a half. He played the second half of last season for Amarillo in the Central Hockey League.

Hyman has played four years of professional hockey, mostly in the CHL. He began his professional career with the Laredo Bucks where he won a championship in 2004. Hyman has played as high as the AHL, seeing some action with San Antonio in 2005.

"Miller is a solid young defenseman that can really skate and handle the puck," said Sims. "He also has a bomb of a shot from the point. Hyman is big, strong, physical defenseman, something we will need this season."

Former Saginaw Spirit goalie Eric Pfligler will be Jason Muzzatti's understudy in net.

Pfligler played last season for the Chicago Steel of the USHL. At the end of last season, he made his professional debut, appearing in three games for the Odessa Jackalopes of the CHL. Pfligler suited up for Saginaw in 2003-04, going 2-17-0 in 23 games, but with a respectable .903 save percentage and a 3.28 goals-against average.

"Pfligler is a young, talented goaltender who will have an opportunity to learn the professional game playing with Jason Muzzatti," noted Sims. "As an organization, we are very pleased the way the Generals are coming together this season."

A total of eight players are now under contract for the Generals for 2006-07.