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More news COYOTES SIGN DREW FATA AND DEREK NESBITT

Phoenix Coyotes Jul 2, 2008, 7:49 PM EDT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

GLENDALE, ARIZONA -- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed right wing Derek Nesbitt and defenseman Drew Fata to contracts. As per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Fata, 24, appeared in 71 games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) last season and recorded 3-11-14 and 197 PIM. He also played 5 games for the New York Islanders, collecting 0-1-1 and 5 PIM. In 218 career AHL games with Wilkes- Barre/Scranton and Bridgeport, the 6-foot-1, 209-pound Fata has registered 9-33-42 and 594 PIM.

A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Fata was originally selected in the third round (86th overall) of the 2001 Entry Draft by Pittsburgh. He has appeared in eight career NHL games with the New York Islanders, collecting 1-1-2 and 9 PIM.

Nesbitt, 26, played 46 games with the Rockford IceHogs of the (AHL) last season, registering 17-18-35 and six penalty minutes (PIM). Nesbitt also registered 3-3-6 and 12 PIM in 12 playoff games. The 6-foot, 185- pound forward also collected 11-28-39 and 4 PIM with the Gwinnett Gladiators of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) last year.

In three seasons with Gwinnett and Idaho (ECHL), Nesbitt registered 67-122-189 and 42 PIM in 163 games. He was also a member of the 2007 Kelly Cup Champion .

Before joining the professional ranks, Nesbitt enjoyed four tremendous seasons at Ferris State University. In 154 career games at Ferris, he recorded 59-82-141 and 124 PIM.

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