Local product not coming to Hockeyville (updated)

Greg de Vries is seen here putting on his Avalanche Jersey with the Stanley Cup in tow as the Sundridge native brought the Cup to his hometown after winning it with the Colorado Avalanche back in 2001. Photo by Amanda Anderson.

Greg de Vries, the lone local player who could have taken the ice at the Kraft Hockeyville pre-season game at Memorial Gardens on September 17th has been signed by the Nashville Predators.

de Vries, who was an unrestricted free agent as of July 1st, played the past two years with the Atlanta Thrashers, inked a two year contract with the Predators on Monday. Terms were not released.

The 33 year-old averaged 22:14 of ice time last season with Atlanta (third most on the team), appeared in all 82 games for the Thrashers and had 3 goals, 21 assists and 24 points.

The Sundridge native thrilled hundreds in the area when he brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown after winning it with the Colorado Avalanche back in 2001. The event included an autograph signing behind his parent's home in Sundridge, a parade and a dance at the local arena.

Bruce Cazabon coached de Vries with the Cortina Bantam AAA Astros back in the late 1980's. He was crossing his fingers hoping the Thrashers would re-sign him this off-season.

“It would have been great to see a local product playing here," said Cazabon, who is currently the head coach of the Widdifield Wildcats.

Bill de Vries, who went through a number of "hockey hoops" to get his son to play hockey in North Bay for three seasons says the Predators have already identified a definite role for him.

“We are very pleased with the signing," he said from his Sundridge home.

"It extends his career another two years so we are pleased as any parent would be.”

de Vries added the family knew about the hockeyville game and although they are excited about the signing they admit it would have been nice to see Greg play in the pre-season game in North Bay.