Paul Baumgartner

Number: 6
Position: Defense
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 210
Birthday: 5.19.81
Hometown: Roseau, MN
Last team: Buccaneers

Paul is one of 3 returning Buccaneer defensemen. "Bomber" is a native of Roseau, MN where he was teammates with David Klema. His greatest accomplishment was winning the 1999 Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament. His pet peeves are people who complain and grumpy people, and the best advice he ever received was "never say you can't". Paul doubles as a demolition driver and was the Kittson County Demolition Derby Champion!

Ryan Bennett

Number: 24
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 180
Birthday: 9.16.81
Hometown: Queensbury, NY
Last team: Buccaneers

"Benny" returns to the Bucs for his first full season. He joined the Buccaneers midway through last year, coming to Des Moines in a trade from Danville of the NAHL. Ryan scored 14 goals and 14 assists in 48 games for the Bucs last year. A former stick boy for the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL Ryan feels his greatest accomplishment is winning gold at Select 17's. If he wasn't playing hockey he would be going to college to study business management and you can often find him in the weight room or catching up on sleep.

Stefan Bjurstrom

Number: 18
Position: Forward
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 175
Hometown: Lidingo, Sweden
Last team: Lidingo Sr.

Mike Brolsma

Number: 8
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 170
Birthday: 5.19.81
Hometown: Appleton, WI
Last team: Bismark Jr A

Mike joins the Buccaneers from the Bismark Bobcats of the AWHL where he collected 22 goals and 17 assists. He really dislikes dishonest people and the best advice he has received is "don't be satisfied, always go for your goals." When not playing hockey you are likely to find im working out or on the golf course. Mike listens to Metallica before the games and his favorite NHL player is Peter Forsberg of the Colorado Avalanche.

Jason Brown

Number: 1
Position: Goalie
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 195
Birthday: 3.22.81
Hometown: Red Deer, Ontario
Last team: Sudbury Wolves, OHL

Joe Campbell

Number: 23
Position: Defense
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 180
Birthday: 6.26.82
Hometown: Superior, WI
Last team: Superior HS

Joe comes to join the Buccaneers, along with high school teammate Andy Nelson, from Superior WI. He was named All State and a member of the State Tournament All Tournament team. Known to his buddies as "Gumby" he makes sure to wear dress socks during games and once fell after being announced during the starting lineup. Joe enjoys golf but his passions are hunting and fishing. If he was not in Des Moines playing hockey, Joe would be going to high school and working in Superior.

Ross Carlson

Number: 17
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 170
Birthday: 2.21.82
Hometown: Duluth, MN
Last team: Duluth East HS

Ross played his high school hockey at Duluth East in Duluth, MN where he was a Mr. Hockey Top 10 finalist. "Rosco" as he is known to teammates feels his greatest accomplishment is winning the State High School Tournament in 1998 playing alongside his brother. He enjoys playing soccer and pool and his favorite NHL player is Jeremy Roenick of the Phoenix Coyotes. "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is the best advice he has received and his favorite food is spaghetti and meatballs.

Wade Chiodo

Number: 19
Position: Forward
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 180
Birthday: 3.17.80
Hometown: Thief River Falls, MN
Last team: Buccaneers

The Buccaneers welcome back Wade for the 2000-2001 season after he played half of 1999-2000 season and a few games of the 1998-1999 season. He played part of last year with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks. A high school teammate of Mike Dowers, Wade enjoys golfing, hanging out with friends, and going to movies. His favorite show is Sportcenter and his pet peeve is inconsiderate people.

Mike Dowers

Number: 1
Position: Goalie
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 185
Birthday: 5.2.81
Hometown: Thief River Falls, MN
Last team: Thief River HS

Mike comes to the Buccaneers from Thief River Falls, MN where he was a high school teammate of Wade Chiodo. Last season Mike was named All Section 8 and put up a .892 save percentage along with a 2.97 GAA He enjoys trap shooting and playing the guitar. His favorite player is Patrick Roy of the Colorado Avalancheand he likes to listen to Robb Zombie before games.

Mike Erickson

Number: 8
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 180
Birthday: N/A
Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN
Last team: Eden Prairie HS

Mike Erickson joined the Buccaneers after the conclusion of his high school season and played four regular season games with the Buccaneers. After playing with the Bucs, Mike went to play with the University of Minnesota.

Luke Flaig

Number: 21
Position: Forward
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 165
Birthday: 9.18.81
Hometown: Tonka Bay, MN
Last team: Eden Prairie HS

Another first year Buccaneer, Luke comes to Des Moines from Eden Prairie, MN where he is his high schools all time leading scorer! "Flagger" admires Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings and has to be the last one in the player huddle before the games. He psyches himself for games by listening to AC/DC and like to eat pasta and spicy food. When not on the ice he can often be found hanging out with friends or going to movies.

Marcus Forsberg

Number: 11
Position: Forward
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 170
Hometown: Mariesred, Sweden
Last team: SSK Jr.

Mike Fournier

Number: 16
Position: Defense
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 205
Birthday:
Hometown: Chariton, MA
Last team: Moncton, QMJHL

Mike joined the Bucs in December.

Rene Gauthier

Number: 14
Position: Forward
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 170
Birthday: 11.14.82
Hometown: Tecumseh, Ontario
Last team: Tecumseh Jr B

Rene travels to the Buccaneers from Tecumseh, Ontario where he played for the Tecumseh Bulldogs Jr. B team. Nicknamed "Goater" he went to a French secondary school called L'Essor. Rene feels his greatest accomplishment was making the Select 17 team for Michigan in 1999 and his most embarrassing moment was getting speed bagged be a speedbag. His future plans include going to college and hopefully being drafted into the NHL.

Gus Groslie

Number: 15
Position: Forward
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 185
Birthday: 8.25.80
Hometown: Moorhead, MN
Last team: Chicago Steel

The Buccaneers added forward Gus Groslie in a trade from the Chicago Steel who added former Bucs Tony Tomaino and Rene Gauthier. Gus is originally from Moorhead, MN and played last season with the Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks. A University of Nebraska-Omaha signee he brings both grit and scoring ability to the Bucs forward unit. Gus was also a member of the USHL all-star team that went over to Germany to play in the 4-Nations Tournament with Doug Meyer, Mike Mantua, and Wade Chiodo.

Luke Irwin

Number: 2
Position: Defense
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 190
Birthday: 8.28.81
Hometown: Bloomington, MN
Last team: Benilde

This will be Luke's first season with the Bucs. This Bloomington, MN native played last season for Benilde-St. Margaret's High School where he had 12 goals and 34 assists and was named All Conference and All State. Luke feels his greatest accomplishment was winning the State Tournament in 1998. He aspires to play Division 1 college hockey and would like to skydive and meet Bobby Orr.

James Jernberg

Number: 7
Position: Defense
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 240
Birthday: 1.5.81
Hometown: St. Cloud, MN
Last team: Great Falls Jr A

"Jerny" is another first year Buccaneer but played Junior A last year for the Great Falls Americans in the America West league where he was a 2nd team All AWHL member. A few of James superstitions is that he is the last one out of the locker room and puts Vicks vapor rub on his nostrils before games. His future plans include playing Division 1 hockey and studying veterinary medicine. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and golfing and his pet peeve is smoking.

Ryan Kirchhoff

Number: 22
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 180
Birthday: 1.26.81
Hometown: Fairway, KS
Last team: Buccaneers

Ryan returns to Des Moines for his second season with the Buccaneers. Last year he scored some big goals for the Bucs and finished the year with 5 goals and 11 assists. Ryan enjoys frisbee golf, hiking, soccer, and rock climbing. He has too many superstitions to name and if he weren't playing hockey he would be playing college soccer. If he could meet anyone Ryan would choose St. Francis of Assisi and someday would like to climb Mount Everst.

David Klema

Number: 27
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 175
Birthday: 4.3.82
Hometown: Roseau, MN
Last team: Roseau HS

David returns to the Buccaneers after playing with the team after his senior season at Roseau High School was finished where scored an impressive 25 goals and 35 assists. He feels his greatest accomplishment is winning the 1999 Minnesota State High School Class AA Hockey Tournament. David enjoys golfing, hunting, and fishing and admires Tony Twist of the St. Louis Blues. He listens to Pearl Jam before games and always puts his equipment on exactly the same way.

Mark Langdon

Number: 20
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 185
Birthday: 3.12.83
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Last team: Rochester Jr. Americans

Mark is the youngest Buccaneer on the squad and one of three high school players. Known to teammates as "Langer" he comes to Des Moines from Rochester, NY, where he played for the Rochester Jr. Americans in the NAHL. Mark always puts his right skate on first and dislikes losing games in the third period. Mark's father played professional hockey and the player he most admires is Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Playing college hockey is in the future plans of this athlete.

Andrew Leach

Number: 25
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 175
Birthday: 10.18.81
Hometown: Altamont, NY
Last team: Capital District Selects

A first year Buccaneer, Andy played last year for the Capital District Selects in the EJHL where he had 22 goals and 20 assists. A native of Altamont, NY he dislikes dirty cars and enjoys golf, weightlifting, and wakeboarding. Andy feels his greatest accomplishment is jumping off a 70 foot cliff. His favorite NHL player is Steve Leach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and he always ties his skates while standing up.

Mike Mantua

Number: 30
Position: Goalie
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 185
Birthday: 8.12.80
Hometown: Northville, MI
Last team: Buccaneers

Originally from Northville, Michigan, Mike returns to Des Moines for his second season with the Buccaneers. Known for his aggressive and acrobatic style, he played a significant role in the teams success last year. He enjoys weightlifting, running, and hanging out with teammates. If Mike wasn't playing hockey he would be running track in college or backpacking in the mountains. He strives to give 100% every time he is on the ice and listens to the "Rocky" soundtrack before games.

Arne Martensson

Number: 5
Position: Defense
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 210
Birthday: 5.19.81
Hometown: Ostersund, Sweden
Last team: Ostersund, Sr.

Arne is one of the Buccaneers two foreign players. He hails from Ostersund, Sweden. Last season he played for the Ostersund 1K Sr. team. The NHL player that Arne most admires is Nicholas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, and his favorite food is his mom's meatballs. Seinfeld is sure to grab his attention as his favorite show and would like to see 'Rage Against the Machine' live. Arne's only superstition is that he puts his left skate on first.

Doug Meyer

Number: 9
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 200
Birthday: 2.21.80
Hometown: Bloomington, MN
Last team: Univeristy of Minnesota

Doug, a native of Bloomington, MN, joins the Buccaneers after spending the last 2 years with the University of Minnesota. He lists as his superstitions "too many to count" and his pet peeve is people that talk about themselves. Doug gets himself up for the game by listening to rap music and patterns his style of play after Brendan Shanahan of the Detroit Red Wings. If he could have lunch with anyone it would be his grandfather and would someday like to have his own business.

Paul Morrissey

Number: 39
Position: Goalie
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 185
Birthday:
Hometown: Winschester, MA
Last team: Buccaneers

Paul returns to the Buccaneers for his second season and team with Mike Mantua to give the Bucs the most experienced goalie tandem on the league. A native of Winchester, MA he repeats the "Irish Blessing" three times and taps the posts just before the puck is dropped. He enjoys drinking coffee and reading the newspaper on his front porch and wants to study english in college and write the Great American Novel. If Paul could have lunch with just one person he would have a tough time choosing between Ernest Hemmingway and Willian Shakespeare.

Andy Nelson

Number: 10
Position: Forward
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 180
Birthday: 10.20.82
Hometown: Superior, WI
Last team: Superior HS

A native of Superior, Wisconsin (along with Joe Campbell) "Nelly" is one of three high school players on the Buccaneers. He lists his gsreatest accomplishment as playing on the Select 16 & 17 Central District teams. His future plans include playing Division 1 hockey and his favorite food is his dad's homemade pizza. Andy would like to hunt Whitetail Deer in Canada and see Tom Petty perform live. His sole superstition is that he keeps a penny from 1982 in his skate.

Jason Reimers

Number: 3
Position: Defense
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 185
Birthday:
Hometown: Cottage Grove, MN
Last team: University of Wisconsin

Defenseman Jason Reimers has joined the team from the University of Wisconsin. Reimers is coming off of a knee injury and is using the second half of the season as a rehab stint to not only help his knee but also get back in the flow of playing hockey games for the first time in over a year. Jason will be valuable to the Buccaneers in a regular shift as well as quarterbacking the team on the power play from the point. Jason joined the Bucs in December.

Jim Scatchell

Number: 11
Position: Defense
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 180
Birthday: 4.10.81
Hometown: Carol Stream, IL
Last team: Dubuque, USHL

Jim Scatchell joins Des Moines from the Dubuque Fighting Saints where he was the captain. A right shot defenseman Jim comes to the Bucs in a trade exchange for Paul Baumgartner. A native of Spencer, NY Jim is not a huge defenseman at 6’0” 180 but plays a tough, physical game that will add to the “D” corps. Jim was added in January.

Zach Schwan

Number: 11
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 180
Birthday: 7.5.80
Hometown: Spencer, NY
Last team: Clarkson Univesity

Zachary Schwan is another college player that is coming to Des Moines to improve his game. Having played at Clarkson this season and for the Capital Districts of the Eastern Junior League last year he will bring great speed to the Bucs. Having put up 95 points for the Capital Districts last season with Buccaneer Andrew Leach the team will expect him to bring a high energy level to the locker room. Zach joined the Bucs in January.

Tony Tomaino

Number: 13
Position: Defense
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 165
Birthday: 4.15.82
Hometown: Duluth, MN
Last team: Buccaneers

Tony is back for his second, yet his first full season having played with the Buccaneers before and after his senior season at Duluth Marshall in Duluth, Minnesota. "T" was named Honorable Mention All-State last season when he racked up 19 goals and 18 assists. Tony feels his greatest accomplishment is graduating from high school with honors.

Jeff Yurecko

Number: 26
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 165
Birthday:
Hometown: Edina, MN
Last team: University of North Dakota

Jeff Yurecko, like Zach Schwan, is a member of the Bucs after starting the season in college. He played for the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota before joining the Bucs in the second week of December. Jeff is 6’3” 210 lb. power forward who possesses good speed for his size and a bullet wrist shot that the coaching staff expects him to use at every available opportunity.