Storm Sign Canadian Free Agent with Big PEI Connection
September 24, 2014 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Island Storm News Release
(Charlottetown, PE) Island STORM Basketball Fans will have another player with strong Prince Edward Island connections to cheer for this year as free agent Alex Desroches has signed with the team for the upcoming NBL Canada season.
A 6'4" guard, Desroches played last season for rival Moncton Miracles. Born in Nova Scotia, he spent a lot of time with his father and extended family during the summers on the Island. Desroches' father, Calvin, was born on Prince Edward Island and currently works in Summerside. Desroches comes from a large family on his father's side with 13 aunts and uncles, all but 2 who live on PEI and over 50 first and second cousins. Desroches joked, "When we have a family reunion on my Dad's side, you can expect 70 or more of our immediate family to be there."
As a member of Moncton's protected player list, the Miracles had until this past Sunday to re-sign Desroches and when that didn't happen he was contacted by the STORM. After coming to terms with Desroches, Moncton had 24 hours to match the STORM's offer, which did not happen.
Coming off the bench last season in Moncton, Desroches averaged over 6.5 points, over 3 rebounds, and nearly 1.5 assists per game while shooting over 45% from the floor and nearly 40% from the 3 point line. His best game came against the STORM in the playoffs on March 7th when he scored 17 points and handed out 5 assists while shooting 60% from the floor.
Desroches played his college basketball at the University of New Brunswick where he was a two time Reds Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and AUS 2nd Team All-star. During his final year at UNB he average 15.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting over 45% from the floor.
Desroches also played professionally in Australia for the Ipswich Force and the Coffs Harbour Suns and earned league Defensive Player and Player of the Week awards during the 2012-13 season.
"I am very excited about signing with the STORM," says Desroches. "Having played against the STORM 13 times last season, I know the STORM to be a well-run program with excellent coaching. I enjoyed playing last season in front of my Mom and her family in Moncton and now I get the chance to play in front of my Dad and his side of the family on Prince Edward Island. I looked forward to helping the STORM in their effort to get back to the NBL Finals and win a championship."
Meanwhile, STORM Head Coach Joe Salerno says he couldn't be happier to have Desroches. "Alex is a great Canadian signing for us. I loved what he brought to the Miracles last season, and look forward to him bringing much of the same and then some to our organization this year," says Salerno. "He is as gritty and tough as they come, the type character that our fans here on the Island love! He shot the ball with consistency from three last season, he has great size for the backcourt and is a much better defender then he gets credit for. I think last year Alex proved he belonged in this league, and will look to play an even larger role with us then he did with Moncton last season. He brings exactly the type of "toughness" we lacked in the Finals last year against Windsor. His hard nose play will make him an instant fan favorite here on PEI."
Season tickets for the upcoming season, which starts Thursday November 6th in Charlottetown at Eastlink Centre against the Saint John Mill Rats, are now on sale. Meanwhile, single game tickets to STORM Basketball go on sale Monday October 6th.
STORM Fans purchasing VIP floor seat season tickets or luxury boxes for the coming season will enjoy the Exclusive VIP Pre-Game Reception before each and every STORM home game at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino with a VIP Parking Pass for the first 70 STORM Fans purchasing 2 or more season tickets.
All STORM season ticket holders will receive an "Everybody Loves a STORM Day" Ice Scraper and an invitation to our exclusive STORM season ticket holder pre-season reception and mid-season reception to meet all the STORM Players and Coaching Staff.
For details on STORM tickets and purchases visit the Eastlink Centre Box Office, open Monday to Friday from 11am to 5pm or phone the box office at 902-629-6625.
• Discuss this story on the National Basketball League of Canada message board...
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from September 24, 2014
- Storm Sign Canadian Free Agent with Big PEI Connection - Island Storm
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.
