Former Falcon Hooks Signs with CHL's Amarillo Gorillas

Courtesy of Bentley Sports Information

WALTHAM, Mass. - Former Bentley forward John Hooks has signed with the Amarillo Gorillas of the Central Hockey League, the Gorillas announced on Thursday. Hooks, who played for the Falcons from 2003-06, joins his first North American professional side after skating for Schwenningen ERC in Germany last season.

In three seasons at Bentley, Hooks played in 55 games, scoring seven goals and adding four assists before being slowed by injury late in his collegiate career. Last season, he tallied four points in 31 games for Schwenningen in the German Second Bundesliga.

"I watched John in Germany last year. He's a guy that comes highly recommended to me by other coaches," said Gorillas head coach Tom Coolen. "John's a big, strong winger and likes to grind it out in the corners and create space for his teammates."

Hooks was one of several former Falcons to suit up for professional squads last season. Josh Chase (2002-06) was a regular in the lineup for the CHL's Odessa Jackalopes, Marc Zwicky (2005-07) played for Swiss club EHC Basel/Kleinhuningen, Marcus Willy (1999-2003) had a stint with the Twin City Cyclones of the Southern Professional Hockey League and Ray Jean (2005-07) appeared in a game for the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers.

The Gorillas, an independent team based out of Amarillo, Texas, open their season in October.