Road Warriors Re-Sign Bowers and Connolly
September 20, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
GREENVILLE, SC - The Greenville Road Warriors announced today that they have re-signed centers Justin Bowers and Brendan Connolly for the 2011-12 season.
Bowers, 26, returns to Greenville for his fourth season of professional hockey. With the Road Warriors last season the Halifax, Nova Scotia native averaged nearly an assist per game with 36 in 44 games. Bowers added 16 goals for 52 points which placed him fourth in team scoring, and he led Greenville in playoff scoring with 13 points (1G, 12A) in 11 games. For his career he has earned 190 points (63G, 127A) over 192 games.
The 6-0, 200-pound pivot was an important part of the Road Warriors' power play which finished sixth in the ECHL in 2010-11 at 19.2 percent. His 18 power play assists were most on the team while his eight power play goals rated second most. Bowers also played 26 games in the American Hockey League with the Portland Pirates in 2010-11 and earned 11 points (4G, 7A) in that time.
Connolly, 26, had a breakout year in 2010-11 as he set career highs in goals (22), assists (28), and points (50). He was selected as a starter for the ECHL All-Star Classic in Bakersfield, California but was forced to miss the game due to injury. The 5-7, 175-pound center was awarded the Player of the Month for November, 2010 after posting 18 points (9G, 9A) and helping the Road Warriors go 10-4-0 over the month. Connolly's efforts that month were a part of a 12-game point streak (9G, 10A) that was the second-longest in the ECHL and lasted from November 11, 2010 to December 2, 2010.
Connolly earned his first career promotion to the American Hockey League last season and appeared in three games with the Adirondack Phantoms. During the 2011 Kelly Cup playoffs, Connolly was the top goal scorer for the Road Warriors with seven in 10 games. He also collected a post-season award as the ECHL's Co-Plus Performer of the Year. He tied with Kalamazoo's Trent Daavettila for the best plus/minus rating in the league during the regular season at +28.
"Brendan and Justin will be big parts of our offense this season. They are experience players who are very skilled and bring a lot to the table. They'll both be counted on to be strong leaders for the team, as well," said Road Warriors head coach Dean Stork.
Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors open the season at the BI-LO Center on October 14 at 7:35 p.m. against the Wheeling Nailers. Don't miss a minute of action with the Road Warriors this season! 2011-12 season ticket packages and half-season ticket packages are on sale right now. Fans can call 864-674-PUCK (7825) to speak to a Road Warriors ticket representative. Season tickets start as low as $300 and can be reserved with a deposit of just $100.
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