Chiefs Add Firepower, Grit With New Signings

Published on September 12, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Johnstown Chiefs News Release


Johnstown, Pa. - The Johnstown Chiefs, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets, and the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters and Syracuse Crunch, announced today that they have signed forwards Neil Trimm and Alex Penner.

"We are excited in the signing of both players. Alex and Neil will bring more size to our team up front. Alex plays with a great deal of energy with a physical presence. Neil will bring size with some offensive skill," said Chiefs head coach Ian Herbers.

Trimm (6-2, 200 Lbs) comes to Johnstown after skating for four years with the NCAA D-III Neumann Knights (ECAC West). At Neumann, Trimm established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in the country by racking up 175 points (61G, 114A) in just 85 career games. The native of Westmeath, Ontario was productive in his first two seasons, but became an offensive force in his junior year (2006-07).

In leading the Knights to the ECAC West Finals, Trimm amassed 18 goals and 49 assists, and led the nation with a 2.48 points per game average. He was rewarded for his efforts by being named 1st Team ECAC West, and a 1st Team All-American. Trimm followed that year with 45 points (15G, 30A) in 2007-08, another spot on the ECAC West 1st Team, and was named a 2nd Team All-American.

"Neil is one of the finest athletes to walk on Neumann's campus. He, along with his teammates, really put Neumann on the map in the hockey community. We wish him the best of luck and thank him for an incredible 4 years," said Neumann athletic director Chuck Sack.

Alex Penner joins the Chiefs after spending his rookie season with the Laredo Bucks of the CHL. Penner, the younger brother of former Chiefs goalie Andrew Penner used his energetic and bruising style of hockey to lead Laredo in penalty minutes with 186 in his rookie season. He also tallied four goals and two assists in 53 games.

A 6-3, 200-pound left winger, Penner earned his chops playing the majority of his junior career in the OHL with Guelph (2004-05) and Sault Ste. Marie (2005-06). In 62 games between those squads, the Simcoe, Ontario native earned four points (1G, 3A) and 134 penalty minutes.

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