Bloomington Blaze Signs First Two Players

Published on August 12, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


Bloomington Blaze Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations, Jason Christie, announced today the signing of two key players for the inaugural 2011-12 Bloomington Blaze season which gets underway in October. Veteran goaltender Marco Emond and top scoring forward Jason Dale have agreed to terms with the Central Hockey League team.

Thirty-three year old Marco Emond returns to Bloomington after an outstanding season in goal for the Bloomington PrairieThunder. A top ten goaltender in the Central Hockey League, he led the team in wins with 25, games played 44, and minutes played 2409. Overall, the 5'-10", 195 lbs. native of Valleyfield, Quebec posted a record of 25-15-2, a 2.89 goals against average, an 89.9% save percentage, and one shutout.

Leading scorer Jason Dale is back in central Illinois after posting his best professional season in 2010-11. Jason, from Pickering, Ontario, led Bloomington in scoring with 17 goals & 35 assists for 52 points in 63 games. Dale was the team leader in assists with 35 and power play assists with 16. The twenty-two year old forward was also the MVP of the 2010-11 CHL All-Star Game which was played in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Dale tallied seven points on 2 goals & 5 assists in the game. His fine season also earned him a promotion to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League (New York Islanders affiliate) where he played in four games.

"Having both Marco and Jason back with us for the coming year begins to build the nucleus," said Blaze Head Coach Jason Christie. "Both guys are great in the room and in the community."

The new Bloomington Blaze will be playing in the fourteen team Central Hockey League beginning in October, 2011. Bloomington will be in the league's Turner (Northern) Conference along with the Fort Wayne Komets, Dayton Gems, Quad City Mallards, Missouri Mavericks, Rapid City Rush, and Evansville IceMen.

2011-2012 season tickets, group tickets and sponsorships are now available by calling the Blaze at 309-434-2980. Our new offices are located inside the U.S. Cellular Coliseum, located at 101 S, Madison Street in downtown Bloomington.

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