Former Vernon Lakers-Vipers Forward Whitecotton Leaves Dragons:

Former Vernon Lakers-Vipers forward Dustin Whitecotton has left the
Rouen Hockey Elite 76 also nicknamed the Rouen Dragonsto returned to Canada for personal reasons.

The Rouen Hockey Elite 76, nicknamed the Rouen Dragons, is a French ice hockey club playing in Ligue Magnus (highest level of the sport in France). Whitecotton is in his first year with the Dragons picked up (2-goals-3-assists-5-points) in ten games.

After four years at Miami University Whitecotton spent the next three seasons playing in three different leagues (AHL, ECHL & UHL) with four different teams (Mississippi, Grand Rapids, Missouri, Lowell), before spending the next twelve years playing overseas. Since 2003 Whitecotton has played in five different leagues (Germany 2, DEL, EIHL, Germany 3 & France) with six different teams (Blue Devils Weiden, SERC Wild Wings, Straubing Tigers, Belfast Giants, Deggendorfer SC & Rouen Hockey Elite 76).

Whitecotton is the youngest player ever to play for the Vernon Lakers & Vernon Vipers making the Lakers at the young age of 14. Whitecotton played three seasons in Vernon with the Vernon Lakers and Vernon Vipers from (1993-96). In 166 games with the Lakers and Vipers Whitecotton collected (52-goals-102-assists-164-points).

Dustin Whitecotton's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=15122

This is posted on the Dragons website:

Antonin Manavian AND DUSTIN Whitecotton LEAVE DRAGONS

December 3rd 2015

The Rouen Hockey Elite 76 regrets to announce the departure of Antonin Manavian and Dustin Whitecotton .

Antonin Manavian left to join the Hungarian club Székesfehérvár (EBEL), while Dustin Whitecotton wants to return to Canada with his family for personal reasons.

The club made ​​the choice to let his # 4 at his request, to try a new foreign adventure in the Austrian league.

Both players will therefore focus more yellow and black jersey today and will be replaced by 15 December (deadline for transfers).

Negotiations are already underway.  We will keep you informed of course.

Antonin Manavian : "This is a great opportunity for me to go in this championship I've changed three years ago I still had something to prove and there is also an opportunity for me.. show still more to eventually join others toughest championships.

This is not necessarily a championship noted that much Magnus League, but it is more homogeneous, where everyone can beat everyone.

It was not planned. This is an opportunity that happens to me and that is hard to refuse. I had always said that if an opportunity presented itself like that, I would discuss with the club.

That's what I did with Guy Fournier (general manager of the club). He understood my decision. He told me that the club never retain a player against his will, so he accepted my departure. We left on good terms. And I'm already gone and income, then you never know.

I particularly want to thank the club and the fans. It's never easy to thank everyone, but everyone has been very nice to me.

Continue to support your team as you do. This year, Rouen has a really great team. Encourage them to the end, because in my opinion, the team will go far this season. "

The RHE 76 also like to especially thank Dustin Whitecotton and highlight its "class" for agreeing to continue playing until next Tuesday, the time to find a replacement.

It is a hard worker who loved and had conquered the organization and the coaches.

We wish him good luck and a safe return to Canada.