Blades add more blue-line depth, sign rookie Cunningham
Published on September 23, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL - Florida Everblades president and general manager Craig Brush along with head coach Malcolm Cameron announced today the team has signed defenseman Wes Cunningham to a contract for the 2008-09 season.
Cunningham looks to break into the pro ranks in '08-'09 after completing a five-year junior career in the Ontario Hockey League. The 21-year-old has spent the past two and a half seasons with the Plymouth Whalers, which included his two best point producing years. Last season Cunningham enjoyed an All-Star year registering a career-high 49 points (6g, 43a) and posting 100 penalty minutes in 55 games with the Whalers. His efforts earned his a spot on the OHL's Western Conference All-Star squad and his point total ranked fourth on the team and first among all defenseman.
In 2006-07 the Dresden, Ontario native posted 31 points in 62 regular season games with Plymouth and chipped in eight points in 25 post-season games, helping the Whalers to the OHL Championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup where the Whalers advanced to the Semi-Finals.
"Wes is an intelligent, competitive, scrappy defenseman who skates very well." Cameron said. "He plays with an edge, and as with many of our players, Wes brings championship experience with him after leading Plymouth to the OHL championship. He also had the opportunity to gain experience at the Dallas Stars rookie camp earlier this month where he played well in all situations during the tournament against other NHL prospects."
Overall during his OHL career that also included stops in Owen Sound and Belleville, the 5-foot-11, 174 pound blue-liner tallied 123 points (15g, 108a) and 407 PIM in 293 games. Cunningham becomes the sixth defenseman signed by the Everblades for the upcoming season and the 17th player overall added to the roster.
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