MONSTER MATCHUPS AT SELLAND THIS SUMMER

The Fresno Monsters are the valley’s newest hockey franchise.

By George Takata
VSP Senior Writer-

Valley hockey fans who’ve been starving for a team since the Fresno Falcons folded in December now have one to call their own again. The fledgling Fresno Monsters, a junior hockey organization, announced their arrival to the Central Valley at a news conference Monday morning at Selland Arena, where they will play their home games. The first home date is scheduled for September 18.

“With the departure of the Falcons, I felt it was imperative that we stepped up and brought hockey back in, not only for the fans, but for the youth hockey players of Fresno,” said Monsters head coach and former Falcon Brandy Semchuk. “And that was really the initiative to get this whole thing going.”

The Monsters will consist of players between the ages of 17-21. Their roster will be filled with players trying to earn a college scholarship or just waiting until they’re old enough to play professionally. Some of the players could be the property of teams in the National Hockey League and are just waiting to be old enough to move up into the NHL’s minor league system. Every player must compete in junior hockey before moving up.

Semchuk says he’s dedicated to bringing a championship-caliber team to Fresno.

“I’m extremely proud that I am part of this endeavor,” said Semchuk. “And I’m really excited about putting a first-class product, a first-class hockey team, and hopefully a championship team, bringing that back to Fresno as soon as possible.”

The Monsters will play in the Western States Hockey League.

Semchuk has plans to create a high-octane type of tempo for his club.

“I can promise you we’re going to bring an exciting team, a fast-paced exciting brand of hockey back to Fresno,” he said.

For more information, go to the team’s website at fresnomonsters.com.

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