NHL veteran Watt signs with Fury

The Muskegon Fury has signed veteran NHL forward Mike Watt to a one-year deal that also includes him being named an assistant coach.

Originally a second-round draft choice (32nd overall) by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Watt has played with Edmonton (1997-98), the New York Islanders (1998-99, 1999-00), Nashville Predators (2000-01) and Carolina Hurricanes (2002-03).

Only Doug Shedden played more NHL games as a member of the Fury than Watt.

For the past three seasons, the 30-year-old Watt has played in the Russia Elite League with St. Petersburg SKA and in Sweden with Leksands IF. He was a Michigan State Spartan from 1994-97 as well.

"We, as an organization, are very excited to obtain the services of Mike as both a top player and as an assistant coach for our club," Muskegon coach Bruce Ramsay said. "He brings an absolute wealth of experience from all of the best levels of pro hockey. His NHL background of 157 games will serve us very well as he becomes a major asset for us both on and off the ice.

"Mike is an outstanding player who will be a standout power forward for us. He is big, strong, has a great shot which adds up to some real goal-scoring for the Fury. He is a complete player in that he plays both ends of the ice very well and he will be a solid complement to all of our centers."