Bridgeport Signs Four
July 5, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
Bridgeport, Conn. - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers announced today that forwards Kellen Jones, Josh Winquist and Aaron Berisha, as well as defenseman Luke Juha have agreed to terms on one-year American Hockey League contracts.
Jones, 25, split his 2015-16 campaign with the Bakersfield Condors and Utica Comets of the AHL and the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL. In the AHL, Jones had a combined eight points (four goals, four assists) in 33 games and played in four post-season games. The Montrose, BC native scored 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) in 23 games with the Mavericks. In two seasons as a pro, Jones has 24 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 87 games in the AHL and 50 points (13 goals, 37 assists) in 50 games in the ECHL. Prior to turning pro, Jones played four seasons at Quinnipiac University, where he was an alternate captain his junior and senior seasons. He scored 127 points (53 goals, 74 assists) in 157 career games with the Bobcats. During his junior season, Jones recorded five points (two goals, three assists) in the NCAA tournament where the Bobcats fell in the National Championship to Yale. Jones was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round (202nd overall) of the 2010 NHL draft. Kellen is the twin brother of Bridgeport forward Connor Jones.
Winquist, 22, set career-highs in assists (22) and points (30) with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL last season. During his two seasons as a professional, Winquist has collected 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists) in 81 games between the Condors and the Edmonton Oilers former AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons. Prior to turning pro, the St. Albert, AB native played five seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Everett Silvertips, where he posted 216 points (101 goals, 115 assists) in 301 career games.
Berisha, 21, posted a career-high in goals (45) assists (27) and points (72) during his second season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. The Knights alternate captain ranked second on the team in goals. The Toronto, ON native added 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 18 playoffs games en route to helping London win their second Memorial Cup Championship in franchise history. Berisha finished his four-year OHL career with 158 points (92 goals, 66 assists) in 255 games with the Knights and Belleville Bulls.
Juha, 23, posted career-highs in goals (8), assists (16) and points (24) in 33 games during his senior season at Penn State University. The Nittany Lions alternate captain paced all blueliners in points (24) this season. During his four seasons at PSU, Juha scored 60 points (15 goals, 45 assists) in 103 career games. The Mississauga, ON native earned both team MVP and top defenseman during his senior campaign at Penn State. Juha was named to the 2015-16 Academic All-Big Ten Team.
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