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Mr. Christian Comes to Mississippi

September 10, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL) - Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, MS --- When hockey people talk about the top talent in the Central Hockey League (CHL), the name Jeff Christian always comes up in the conversation. Folks in the Mid-South will be talking about Jeff Christian a lot more this season, as the Mississippi RiverKings today (September 10th, 2010) announced that the iconic forward will be wearing a RiverKings uniform during the 2010-2011 season.

RiverKings Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin "Killer" Kaminski says Christian will bring a great hockey resume to the RiverKings. "Jeff has great skills and vision to make the little plays and also loves to score big goals," Kaminski noted. "He's a pressure player, being well over a point per game. We are excited to have him in a RiverKings uniform and will be a great leader."

The Burlington, Ontario native is also happy for the opportunity to play again for Kaminski. "I'm very excited to come to Mississippi for a number of reasons," Christian said. One is the chance to reunite with Killer, where I had a lot of success. I'm also excited to be able to play with Derek Landmesser and Louis Dumont, and with Milan Maslonka and Andrew Lackner, who I've played with before."

The 6-foot-2, 235-pounder brings a hockey pedigree that has seen him play with the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils (second-round draft pick of the Devils in 1988, number 23 overall), and Phoenix Coyotes. His career has also included time in the American Hockey League, the old International Hockey League, in Europe, and with CHL teams in Youngstown, Tulsa and last season with the Missouri Mavericks.

Christian's career totals include 1253 professional games played, 524 goals, 709 assists, 1233 points and 3074 penalty minutes. In the CHL, Jeff has amassed 300 career appearances, 173 goals, 287 assists, 460 points (1.53 points per game) and 560 penalty minutes.

In Missouri last season, Christian scored 29 goals and added 49 assists for 78 points in 55 games, an average of over 1.4 points per game. Jeff went on to score one goal and add eight assists for nine points in seven playoff contests for the Mavericks. He finished in a tie for seventh overall in the CHL for points and was eighth in assists. In addition to playing, he served as an assistant coach for the Missouri team.

Central Hockey League career highlights for Christian include his being named the league's most valuable player and scoring champion at the end of the 2006-07 season, when he was also named to the end-of-season all-CHL team as a forward. Christian was also an all-CHL forward at the conclusion of the 2005-06 campaign. During both seasons, Jeff played under Kaminski when they were with the Youngstown SteelHounds.

Christian set career statistical highs with the SteelHounds, with high water marks of 55 goals (2005-06), 78 assists (2006-07) and points with 116 (also 2006-07). His CHL high for penalty minutes was also in Youngstown, when he spent 126 minutes in the sin bin, although earlier in his career, Christian amassed 262 penalty minutes with the IHL Cleveland Lumberjacks in the 1996-97 season.

Jeff says his coming to the RiverKings not only provides him with a great opportunity for his family, especially his young daughter Ryan, who is being treated for a rare cancer at the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. She is being treated for an adrenal gland tumor, which was found near her kidneys.

Christian said, "I want to contribute. I feel fortunate that I've been given this opportunity to come in and be a part of this team. It doesn't matter who gets the credit, just as long as we get the win."

The Mississippi RiverKings are getting set to start their 19th season of hometown professional hockey action in the Mid-South. For ticket information, call 662-342-1755 or go online to www.riverkings.com today!

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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