Couture and Register Are Back in Blue and Orange
October 2, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Ontario Reign News Release
ONTARIO, Calif. - The Ontario Reign, back-to-back Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, are proud to announce the return of the Reign's 2012-13 Captain, Derek Couture, and defenseman Matt Register.
Couture, 29, returns to the Reign for his third season after leading the team to their best season ever in 2012-13. The winger racked up 54 points (24g, 30a) in 52 games with Ontario and led the team in penalty minutes with 218 - just 17 minutes shy of the league-leader. The power forward also had an eight-game stint with the AHL's Houston Aeros.
During the Reign's postseason run, Couture led the team with nine points (2g, 7a) in 10 appearances as Ontario made it to the second round for the first time in club history.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Couture was named Captain for the first time in his professional career on October 12, 2012.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound veteran winger will enter his ninth professional season. Couture has seen time in the AHL with the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, Quad City Flames, Binghamton Senators, Hartford/Connecticut Wolf Pack, and the Houston Aeros earning a total of 81 points in 301 AHL games. While playing in the ECHL, Couture has dressed for the Elmira Jackals, the Charlotte Checkers, the Victoria Salmon Kings, and the Ontario Reign earning a total of 158 points in 167 ECHL games.
Couture has played the best hockey of his career with the Reign. He has achieved career-high statistics in all categories over the past two seasons.
Register, 24, made his Reign and ECHL debut on Feb. 22 against the Stockton Thunder. The next night he had a two-point game in Bakersfield with a goal and an assist which kicked off a run of six points in just seven games. Register finished the regular season with 13 points (4g, 9a) in 17 appearances and went on to earn three points, all assists, in the 10 games he played in the postseason.
Before signing with Ontario, Register, a native of Calgary, Alberta, split 51 games between the Tulsa Oilers and Arizona Sundogs in the Central Hockey League. Between the two teams he earned 16 points (2g, 14a).
In 2011 the defenseman made his professional debut in the CHL with the Allen Americans. He played in 22 games and recorded four points (1g, 3a).
Register spent four years playing in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Bonnyville Pontiacs. In his final season with the Pontiacs, Register posted an impressive 61 points (16g, 45a). He was seventh in the league in assists, led the league in defensemen, and earned the W.G. Scott Memorial Trophy for the AJHL's Best Defenseman.
Reign Drops: Ontario Reign hockey makes its first appearance at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Saturday, Oct. 12 with the first pre-season game against the Las Vegas Wranglers. The puck drops at 6 p.m. with doors opening to the public at 5 p.m. Click here to purchase your pre-season tickets.
The Reign's third Pacific Division Championship banner will be unveiled at the Home Opener on Saturday, Oct. 19. The action on the ice begins at 6 p.m. against the Bakersfield Condors so arrive early to catch the celebration of the championship banner. Everyone in attendance will receive an Ontario Reign magnet schedule courtesy of Ignite Advertising. Click here for tickets to the Home Opener.
Don't miss this game, or any other game in 2013-14, click here for guaranteed Home Opener seats and all of the other benefits of being a Reign season ticket holder. For more information on Ontario Reign hockey call 909.941.PUCK (7825).
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from October 2, 2013
- Aces October Promotions 2013 - Alaska Aces
- Over 26,000 Students Enroll in Third Season of "Reading Wranglers" - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Blades Sign Henry, Receive Nielsen from AHL Syracuse - Florida Everblades
- Couture and Register Are Back in Blue and Orange - Ontario Reign
- Stars Send Boutet to Idaho - Idaho Steelheads
- Jordan Morrison and Dean Ouellet Are Back - San Francisco Bulls
- Condors Offer for Historic NHL Game at Dodger Stadium - Bakersfield Condors
- Aces Assigned Brossoit, Martin and Davies from Abbotsford - Alaska Aces
- Gladiators Training Camp Starts Saturday - Atlanta Gladiators
- Road Warriors Announce 2013 Training Camp Schedule - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- New Season, New Ontarioreign.Com - Ontario Reign
- Condors Receive Abney and Broda from Oklahoma City - Bakersfield Condors
- Eagles Return Former MVP's Nelson and Ulanski - Colorado Eagles
- Road Warriors Sign Stamler, Vaive - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Royals Add Three with Tryout Agreements - Reading Royals
- CCAA and AJHL Champion Jesse Slobodian Joins Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nailers Hire Doug Bradley as Assistant Coach - Wheeling Nailers
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.
