April 10th 2008

The Chilliwack Bruins are pleased to announce that forward Mark Santorelli has signed a NHL entry level contract with the Nashville Predators.  Santorelli, 19, a native of Burnaby BC, led the WHL in scoring this season, capturing the Bob Clarke Trophy with 26 goals and 75 assists for 101 points.  Santorelli leads the Bruins in career scoring with 183 points in the past two season, a point total matched by no other player in the WHL over the same period.

‘We are proud of Mark Santorelli and his signing today with Nashville,’ comments Bruins GM Darrell May. ‘To give up an NCAA Scholarship to play for the Bruins and succeed at the level that Mark has it outstanding.  We would like to thank Mark for his commitment to the Bruins over the past two seasons and wish him well in his pursuit of a professional hockey career.’

Mark Santorelli: ‘It has always been my goal to become a professional hockey player and today that has become a reality.  I believe that I would never have had the opportunity to play pro hockey without the opportunity that was presented to me by the Chilliwack Bruins.  GM Darrell May and the coaching staff had faith in my abilities and allowed me to grow as both a person and a player.  Without their support as well as the support of all of my teammates, this goal would never have been possible.’

‘I look forward to the opportunity to play with the Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville’s AHL Affiliate) for the remainder of this year. I am also very excited about playing with my brother Mike, as he will be here to help show me the ropes.  Signing as a pro is great, playing with Mike is icing on the cake.’

Mark has already reported to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL and is preparing for his first AHL game.  The Bruins wish Mark Santorelli the best of success with his new team.

Bio:

#11 Mark Santorelli - Forward

Height: 6’1   Weight: 185   Hometown: Burnaby, BC   DOB: August 8th, 1988

Originally drafted by the Tri City Americans with the 102nd pick of the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft...was a member of the 2006 Tier Two National Champion Burnaby Express...led the Bruins and finished 9th in WHL scoring with 82 points during the 2006/07 season...also led the team with 59 assists...recorded 13 goals and 34 assists on the power play during the 2006/07 season...holds the team record for most assists in one game with five...co holder of team record for most points in a game with five...had a team high 14 game point streak during the 2006-07 season...tied team record with another 14 game point streak earlier this season…had a team high 25 multiple point games during the 2006-07 season.. was a fourth round draft pick by the Nashville Predators in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...older brother Mike is also a draft pick of the Nashville Predators...was named, along with Oscar Moller as the co winner of the Bruins rookie of the year award for 2006-07…named WHL and CHL player of the week for week ending December 2nd...was recently named Bruins alternate captain...is the only player to appear in every game the Bruins have played…won the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL’s leading scoring during the 2007-08 season with 101 points...also led the league in assists with 74 and power play assists with 45…set new team records during the 2007-08 season with 101 points, 74 assists, 45 power play assists, 56 power play points and 28 multiple point games…is the Bruins career leader in points, assists and games played…was named the Bruins Most Dedicated Player for the 2007-08 season.