Bourbeau, Toivonen Sign with AHL's Sound Tigers
Published on September 21, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Odessa Jackalopes News Release
(Odessa, TX) - The Odessa Jackalopes announced today that two players from last season's roster, Jean Bourbeau (ZHON bor-BOH) and Juha Toivonen (YOO-hah TOY-voh-nin), have signed two-way contracts with the Jackalopes' AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Bourbeau and Toivonen will report to training camp with Bridgeport on Tuesday, along with Jacks forward Mike Lesperance (LES-per-ahns) and defenseman Garrett Gruenke (GREEN-kee). All four players completed their rookie seasons with the Jackalopes last year.
"Our organization's relationship with New York and Bridgeport is set up to give players a chance to move up and on," said Jackalopes General Manager Joe Clark. "We're proud of the position Bourbeau and Toivonen have put themselves in, and believe all four of these players will compete well in camp."
Clark made it clear that if Bridgeport decides to assign any of the four to the "AA" level, it would be to Odessa. That decision will most likely be made by the end of training camp in Connecticut. After several practice sessions this week, the Sound Tigers are scheduled to play exhibition games Friday and Saturday against Hartford.
Bourbeau, 25, began his pro career last season with Odessa, registering 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 58 games. The Bonnyville, Alberta native attended camp with the Sound Tigers last season, and was also called up to the team last November for a brief period.
Toivonen, 22, was named to the CHL's All-Rookie Team after going 13-8-2 in 27 games with a 3.19 goals against average. The Finnish goaltender saved his best play for the postseason, going 7-1 in 11 games with a 2.40 GAA and a.907 save percentage. Toivonen was also named CHL Goalie of the Week twice in 2008-2009.
Lesperance, who also attended Bridgeport's camp last year, had a solid first year of pro hockey with 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 60 games. Gruenke improved his defensive play over the course of last season and inherited the team's enforcer role. His 19 major penalties led all rookies last season in the CHL.
During their own training camp, the Jackalopes will play a pair of preseason games against the Tulsa Oilers on October 8th and 10th at the Ector County Coliseum. Both games will begin at 7:00 PM.
The Odessa Jackalopes are the Central Hockey League affiliate for the NHL's New York Islanders and the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The team will begin its 13th season on October 16th against the Corpus Christ IceRays. Season tickets, mini-plans, and single game tickets are available by calling (432) 552-PUCK or visiting jackalopes.org.
Central Hockey League Stories from September 21, 2009
- Four IceRays Report to AHL Camps - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Kaminski To Judge TGI Friday's Benefit for Make-A-Wish - Mississippi RiverKings
- 2009 Hockey School begins Tuesday - Amarillo Gorillas
- Mudbugs Support Local Race for the Cure - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Colorado Eagles Sign Defenseman Jim Jackson - Colorado Eagles
- Brahmas Send Five to AHL Camps - Fort Worth Brahmas
- RiverKings in the Mid-South Update - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks' Lincourt And Fojtik In AHL Camp - Laredo Bucks
- Americans Schedule Changes - Allen Americans
- Sundogs Add Scoring, Grit to 2009-10 Roster - Arizona Sundogs
- Jacks, Sundogs Announce Schedule Change - Odessa Jackalopes
- Sundogs Announce 2009-10 Schedule Adjustments - Arizona Sundogs
- Bucks Ink Two More With Pro Experience - Laredo Bucks
- Bourbeau, Toivonen Sign with AHL's Sound Tigers - Odessa Jackalopes
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.
