Bears Sign Former Vernon Viper Curtis Fraser:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Curtis Fraser has signed with the Zagreb Bears of Croatia.  Fraser played last season with Cortina SG of Italy.  In 34 regular season games in his first and only season with Cortina SG Fraser collected (14-14-28).  Fraser played parts of one season with the Vipers (2002-03) after getting traded to Vernon in January of 2003 from the Victoria Salsa.  In 25 regular season games with the Vipers Fraser collected (19-20-39) and lead the Vipers in scoring that season with 105 pts.  Due to his birthday and his scholarship Fraser couldnt play past his 21st birthday wich ment he was only able to play in the Vipers first two playoff rounds (eight playoff games).  The Vipers went onto the BCHL league finals and then lost in the Doyle Cup to Camrose without Fraser in the lineup.

Curtis Fraser's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=74844

This is posted on the Bears website:

Curtis Fraser is the new reinforcement in the bears den

May, 24th 2012

Canadian player Curtis Fraser is the new offensive reinforcement of the Zagreb Bears for the next season. Apart from this, Rob Davison (CAN) extended his contract at EC Red Bull Salzburg for another campaign.

Curtis Fraser was born in 1982 in Surrey (British Columbia, Canada). As a junior he played in BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League) for Victoria Salsa and Vernon Vipers with whom he won the champion titles. During the season in Vernon he played 60 games and recorded an excellent 105 points (53 goals and 52 assists). In 2003 he moved to Fairbanks, Alaska to study at University of Alaska and play for their team University of Alaska Fairbanks which competes in the highest rank of college sport – NCAA. He wore the Fairbanks jersey for four seasons, from 2003/2004 until 2006/2007, and in that period he played 148 games and recorded 114 points (59 goals, 55 assists).

Injury prevented NHL career

A successful college career has opened a door for him towards AHL so he signed his first professional contract with Chicago Wolves in 2006/2007, with whom he played in the AHL playoffs. Next season Fraser played for ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers, but after only five games in which he collected three goals and eight assists, he was invited again to an AHL team – San Antonio Rampage. He played 41 games for San Antonio and achieved six points (four goals and two assists); in that period one of his teammates for a short while was Alex Leavitt, forward with whom he’ll share the locker-room next season in the Bears’ den. In the same season, 2007/2008, he returned to ECHL playoff with the Wranglers and helped them get to Kelly Cup finals (16 games, seven goals and an assist), but unfortunately after six games the trophy was lifted by Cincinnati Cyclones.

In season 2008/2009 he wore the jersey of AHL team Peoria Rivermen for which he played 67 games, including playoff, and scored two goals and six assists. Before the start of 2009/2010 he was invited to a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins camp, which is the second team of NHL club Pittsburgh Penguins. However, due to an injury during one preparation game, the deal with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fell off; after recovery he began playing in ECHL for Alaska Aces where he stayed in 2010/2011 as well and won the Kelly Cup. In those two seasons with the Aces he played in 54 games including playoff, and scored 37 points (20 goals, 17 assists). Also, during 2010/2011 he played 36 games for AHL team Lake Erie Monsters in which, at that time, present Medvescak forward Tom Zanoski was also playing.

Second stop in Europe

“Curtis Fraser is a powerful forward who combines fighting spirit and skill in his game. He has outstanding leadership capabilities and if necessary he’ll run through walls for his teammates, and do whatever it takes to secure success and victory for his team on ice”, describes head coach Marty Raymond his new arrival Fraser.

30-year-old Canadian had his debut on European ice last season in the First Italian league, in the jersey of Cortina. He worked off 49 games for the Italian first-league team in Italian Championship, including playoffs, and recorded 21 goals and 25 assists, while in Italian Cup, which he won with Cortina, he played two times. Medvescak has for the next season, besides Fraser, signed goalkeepers Robert Kristan and Michael Ouzas, defensemen Dennis Bozic, Sasa Martinovic, Andy Sertich, Kenny MacAulay and forwards Tom Zanoski, Alex Leavitt and Nathan Perkovich.

Rob Davison stays in Salzburg

The Canadian defender will take the ice for Salzburg next season, too. The 32-year-old, who had joined the Bulls during the season, played 17 games (five assists) in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga last season and finished with +9. He gave Salzburg’s defense stability and led the team as Captain to victory at the Red Bulls Salute in December 2011.