Plante Newest IceMen Defenseman
July 14, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN.--- As the Evansville IceMen continue the productive paces of developing their player roster for the upcoming 2011-12 Central Hockey League in their new home of the exciting new Down-town Evansville Arena, the team's defense remains the strong object of their attention.
In that mode, on this date, the IceMen General Manager / Head Coach Rich Kromm has announced that veteran defenseman PHILIPPE PLANTE has agreed to contract terms and signed the dotted line on a new one-year contract with the Evansville club. Adhering to club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
PLANTE (PLONTE), 32, will be commencing his 13th pro season and his fifth in the CHL after starring for the past three campaigns in Odessa with the Jackalopes. The 6-0, 200lb left-hand shooting adept and adroit artisan arrives on the Evansville pro hockey scene for the first time armed with an arsenal of outstanding accomplishments and achievements that will be paramount to the ultimate success of the IceMen club as the latter seeks to attain a much better and stronger contending status in the franchise second season operating in the AA/CHL.
A solid, experienced veteran presence on the blue line, the Greenfield, PQ product emerged prominently as his club's second top scoring defenseman, registering 31-points in 63-games on 6-goals, 25-assists with 61-PIM. Perpetually providing offense from his left defense position, he topped all Odessa defensemen in power play proficiency, delivering 16-PP/points on 5-PPG and 11-PPA. The IceMen's newest blue line bulwark saved his best for last in last spring's CHL playoffs, recording 6-points and stellar +4 rating in 9-games. His 4-goals were foremost among the Jackalopes' defense corps. Plante's best season in central Texas occurred one year previously in 2009-10 when he engineered 45-points in 63-outings on 15-goals, 30-assists while adding 60-PIM.
GM/Coach Kromm is delighted to add another defenseman, the IceMen's fifth, in the person of Plante. "The signing of Phil further solidifies our strong backline. He brings us a lot of experience as he possesses a well-rounded game both offensively and defensively. Phil is outstanding on the power play and brings a much-valued winning tradition to our hockey club. He is a solid veteran guy, outstanding citizen and will be a real asset to our Evansville community."
Evansville's latest signee for the defense has been a constant, exemplary and extraordinary talent at every level of the minor pro game, having seen action for five years in the AHL, namely with the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Hamilton Bulldogs. He was under contract to the NHL Montreal Canadiens with the latter club. For three years, his address was listed in the IHL and for three more seasons he called Muskegon his hockey home.
It was in Muskegon where he enjoyed some of his greatest grandeur and magical moments. In 2001-02, he helped spark the Fury to their second of four League Championships over a four-year span and in 2006-07, he led the same team to the league division crown while achieving his best individual prolific performance. In that season, he amassed an astronomical 67-points in 75-games on 18-goals, 49-assists and brilliant +38 rating. Plante not only topped his title timber team in each key category among defensemen but he also finished #3 in league wide defensemen scoring and #2 for best premium, positive plus rating.
Plante becomes the third member of the former CHL Odessa team to ink a pact with the IceMen for 2010-11. Previously, the IceMen came to terms with defensemen Matt Gens and center Todd Robinson.
For his entire pro career, Plante's numbers read: 783-games; 101-goals; 290-assists; 391-points; 617-PIM.
Today's signing of Phillipe Plante brings to 9 the total number of players presently signed for the new season. The IceMen have also signed defensemen MATT GENS, JORDAN LITTLE; STEVE MAKWAY; JAKE OBERMEYER; left wings MARK CODY, MATT PIERCE; centers BRIAN BICEK, TODD ROBINSON.
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