AHL Peoria Rivermen

Bruton and Shields Join Aces Kelly Cup Defense

April 19, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Peoria Rivermen General Manager Kevin McDonald has announced that forward Chris Bruton and defenseman David Shields have been assigned to the Rivermen ECHL affiliate, Alaska Aces. The defending Kelly Cup Champions currently hold a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series with the Stockton Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Bruton joined the club in time to pick up an assist in Alaska's 4-0 win on Wednesday night. Shields is expected to be in the lineup when the series resumes on Friday at Stockton Arena.

Bruton, 25, made his professional debut with the Aces in October and appeared in each of Alaska's first 24 games of the season before signing a PTO with Peoria. He returned to Alaska briefly and after three more games was resigned by the Rivermen where he stayed for the remainder of the season. In 27 total ECHL games, the rookie winger collected 13 points (six goals, seven assists). He appeared in 38 games with Peoria and registered five points (two goals, three assists) and 51 penalty minutes (including nine fighting majors).

Bruton turned pro this season following a three-year collegiate career at Acadia University. He was better than a point per game player for the Axemen, combining for 74 points (34g, 40a) in 69 contests. The 5-11, 205-pound Bruton also threw his weight around in college chipping in 118 penalty minutes. Before entering college, Bruton captained the Spokane Chiefs to a Memorial Cup Championship in 2008.

Shields, 21, started the season with the Rivermen but was reassigned by the St. Louis Blues to Alaska without appearing in a game for Peoria. He appeared in 12 games for the Aces and totaled six points (one goal, five assists). He scored his first professional goal in his second game of the season with Alaska. He was recalled to Peoria and made his AHL debut on Nov. 15 in Hamilton. Over the course of the season, the 6-3, 218-poind defenseman saw action in 48 games with the Rivermen and recorded three assists.

The Rochester, NY native spent the last four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Erie Otters. Selected by St. Louis in the sixth round (168th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Shields played 250 games in his OHL career and totaled 67 points (15g, 52a).

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