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All-Star Gens Latest to Sign with IceMen

June 27, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL) - Evansville IceMen News Release


EVANSVILLE, IN.--- Fresh off of last week's momentous, monumental signing of star-studded center Todd Robinson, the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League have continued to generate even greater mountains of momentum with their most recent player signing; this time lassoing a "T. Rob" teammate.

On this date, the IceMen General Manager / Head Coach Rich Kromm has announced that All-Star defenseman MATT GENS has assented to terms and signed a one-year contract with the club effective for the upcoming 2011-12 CHL season. Adhering to club policy, terms of the pact were not disclosed.

GENS (Jens), 28, is in the midst of approaching his sixth full pro campaign and his second as a card carrying member in good standing with the CHL. The rugged 6-0, 190lb right-hand shooting rearguard will be making his Evansville pro hockey premiere with a dossier that smacks of perennial All-Star recognition and invaluable experience.

The former 2002 ninth round choice, 278th overall of the NHL Vancouver Canucks has made his major mark through a career which embodies the rare combination of offensive skills and talents along with a physical presence and prowess in the defensive side of the game.

Recovering from a major wrist injury which required significant surgical repair, Gens joined the CHL Odessa Jackalopes for 26-regular season games as well as 7-playoffs appearances in the 2010-11 season. In 26-games clad in the "Jacks" colors, the American-bred from Baudette, Minnesota, engineered 17-points on 3-goals, 14-assists with 18-PIM. Moreover, he injected that all-important touch-in-the-clutch through his propensity for point production as 2 of his 3-goals were categorized as GWG with one of those propelled in OT. A fluid fixture on the power play, Gens essayed 7 of those 17-points through the extra man band on 1-PPG and 6-PPA. He also fashioned a perfect personified 1/1 in the CHL OTSO competition. Evansville's newest member of its blue line brigade especially elevated his efforts in the playoffs, recording 5-points in those 7- games on 2-goals, 3-assists with 1-PPG, 2-PPA and a stellar +5 rating with the latter output ranked runner-up best on the Odessa club.

GM / Coach Kromm exuded much enthusiasm regarding the IceMen's latest player acquisition. "We're extremely excited to sign Matt for the IceMen. He brings a tremendous resume of accomplishments to our organization. Being quite familiar with him from Muskegon, Matt is an outstanding offensive defenseman with strong skating ability and puck skills. He will also add a major physical presence on our back end. We look for Matt to provide good, solid offense from our defensive corps while being a solid overall presence in our lineup."

Gens last full season of pro competition came back in the 2008-09 season with the IHL Muskegon Lumberjacks. It was his best season thus far in the pro ranks as he finished a lofty second in CHL scoring among defensemen, collecting a prolific 53-points in 73-games on 9-goals, 44-assists with 83-PIM and +3 rating. In the playoffs of that same season, he was 11(1-2-3).

After a superb four-year collegiate career at Division I St. Cloud State of the highly-prestigious WCHA Conference, Gens launched his pro career in the UHL where he achieved All-Star status with the Rockford IceHogs. In his second season with the Illinois-based contingent, he spurred the `Hogs to the 2006-07 UHL Colonial Cup Championship, topping all league defensemen in point-scoring with 13-points in 17-games on 2-goals, 11-assists. During the regular season, he, again, finished in the top 10 in league-wide scoring among defensemen with 39-points in 75-games on 8-goals, 31-assists, 79-PIM and sterling +21 rating.

Gens has also seen service in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals and the ECHL with the Elmira Jackals. He missed the entire 2009-10 season with the aforementioned wrist injury.

His pro career totals read: 285-games; 28-goals; 126-assists; 154-points; 290-PIM. His pro playoffs numbers: 45-games; 5-goals; 21-assists; 26-points; 47-PIM.

Today's signing of defenseman MATT GENS brings to 5 the total number of players currently under contract for the upcoming 2011-12 CHL season. Currently under contract for the new season; defensemen JORDAN LITTLE; JAKE OBERMEYER; left wing MARK CODY; center TODD ROBINSON.

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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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