Gionet, Galbraith and Gibson sign offers with Ice Pilots
August 3, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Pensacola Ice Pilots News Release
Pensacola, Fla. The Pensacola Ice Pilots, under the ownership group of Hockey Enterprises of Pensacola L.L.C. with owner Tim Kerr, announced that defenseman Aaron Gionet, forward Jade Galbraith and forward Brett Gibson have signed qualifying offers for the 2004-2005 season.
Gionet, who stands 62 and weighs 204 pounds, played in 60 games for the Ice Pilots during the regular season last year scoring two goals, nine assists for eleven points and picked up 103 penalty minutes and played in all five Kelly Cup Playoff games picking up 10 penalty minutes. He was acquired last season from Reading for future considerations on November 18, 2003 as he also played in eight games for the Royals last year picking up thirteen penalty minutes.
Gionet played his junior hockey at Kamloops in the WHL from 1998-2003 playing in 324 games during the five seasons scoring 12 goals, 35 assists for 47 points and picked up 933 penalty minutes.
Gionet, who is from Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the sixth round and the 191st player taken overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He is 22 years old and shoots right.
Aaron brings a physical presence on the blue line and has an excellent work ethic. Im looking forward to see him continue his improvement this season, said Ice Pilots Head Coach Dave Farrish.
Galbraith, who stands 511 and weighs 210 pounds, played in 28 regular season games with the Ice Pilots last year scoring 5 goals, 17 assists for 22 points and picked up 25 penalty minutes and played in all five Kelly Cup Playoff games scoring one goal, three assists for four points picking up two penalty minutes.
Galbraith also played in 24 games last year for Cincinnati scoring 7 goals, 14 assists for 21 points and picked up 43 penalty minutes, played in 16 games with Dayton scoring three goals, five assists for eight points picking up 33 penalty minutes and played in four games for Florence scoring one goal, two assists for three points picking up two penalty minutes. He was acquired by the Ice Pilots last season in a trade from Cincinnati for Jamie Herrington on February 7, 2004.
Galbraith played in 69 games for Atlantic City during the 2002-2003 season scoring 27 goals, 47 assists for 74 points picking up 70 penalty minutes and helped the Boardwalk Bullies win the Kelly Cup Championship playing in 15 playoff games scoring two goals, five assists for seven points picking up eight penalty minutes.
During the 2000-2001 season, Galbraith played in three games at the University of Alaska-Anchorage and played in 24 games for Saskatoon of the WHL scoring five goals, five assists for ten points and picked up ten penalty minutes. He is 22 years old from Hinton, Alberta and shoots left.
Jade is a player that hasnt reach his full potential yet. He is a strong player with great offensive ability. We are looking for him to be more of a complete player this year, said Farrish.
Gibson, who stands 61 and weighs 190 pounds, played in 45 games during the regular season for the Ice Pilots last year scoring eleven goals, two assists for thirteen points and picked up 32 penalty minutes and played in all five Kelly Cup Playoff games picking up four penalty minutes. He signed with the Ice Pilots as a free agent last year on November 28, 2003.
Gibson played at St. Marys University from 2000-2003 scoring 38 goals, 52 assists for 90 points and picked up 116 penalty minutes in 78 games played. He also played in six games for Johnstown during the 1999-2000 season scoring one goal, two assists for three points.
Gibson played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League from 1996-2000 playing for London, North Bay and Erie. He is 24 years old from Gananoque, Ontario and shoots left.
We are looking for Brett to make a sizeable jump in his contribution to the team. We see Brett having a more expandable role this year after a solid first pro season, said Farrish.
The Ice Pilots currently have seven players under contract for the 2004-2005 season with Dwayne Hay, Tyler Beechey, Aaron Phillips, Kent Sauer, Gionet, Galbraith and Gibson signing contracts. We have an excellent core of players returning from last years team and we can build on that for this season. These players will help us compete this year for the Kelly Cup, added Farrish.
The Ice Pilots under new Head Coach Dave Farrish will begin the 2004-2005 regular season at Mississippi on October 23 and play their home opener Saturday, October 30 vs. the Kelly Cup Finalists Florida Everblades at 7:05 p.m.
Season tickets for all 36 home games for floor and glass seats are $649.44, side seats are $459.00, goal seats and lower upper seats are $411.84 and upper seats cost $324.00. 16 game plans, 8 game plans and flex packs also are available. Fans can call the Ice Pilots office at 432-7825 for season ticket and corporate sponsorship information.
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