Cottonmouths Sign Pallardy, Yuel

Published on August 7, 2012 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League today announced the signing of forwards Derek Pallardy and Jason Yuel. Pallardy is set to begin his fifth professional season and second in Columbus, while Yuel will be beginning his first season pro after a successful stint collegiately.

Pallardy, 29, returns to the team he helped to the President's Cup last season, his first as a Cottonmouth. His 40-point (14G, 26A) contribution last season was good for fourth-best on the team, with his 26 assists tied for second-best among all Snakes. The 5'10", 175-pounder was also one of five Cottonmouths who skated in all 62 games of the regular season and playoffs. His seven-point output in the postseason off a goal and six assists was tied for best on the team with Sam Bowles and third overall in the SPHL. The Snakes' championship last season was actually Pallardy's second in the SPHL; he was a member of the Knoxville Ice Bears as a rookie during the 2008-09 campaign, helping them to the President's Cup as well. He followed then-Knoxville head coach Scott Hillman to the Missouri Mavericks of the Central Hockey League the next two seasons. Playing in his home state, the Chesterfield, Mo. native picked up 44 points (13G, 31A) in 118 regular-season games as a Maverick. Prior to beginning his professional career, Pallardy played three seasons of juniors for the Springfield (Ill.) Jr. Blues from 2001-04 before a four-year collegiate career with Merrimack College in Massachusetts.

"Derek was a big find for us last year," said Columbus head coach and general manager Jerome Bechard. "He came in and was one of our most consistent players. It doesn't matter where he played, you know he was going to give you everything he hadthat is ultimately what Cottonmouth hockey is all about."

Yuel comes to Columbus after spending four years collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The 25-year-old was captain of his team for the past three seasons and was also named to the NCHA All-Academic team each of those three years. Yuel tied for the team lead in scoring last season at UWRF, averaging a point a game with 27 points (8G, 19A) in 27 games played, and was also named the NCHA Co-Scholar Athlete. The 5'11", 195-pounder finished up his career at UWRF with 59 points (22G, 37A) in 86 games. A native of Winnipeg, Man., Yuel started out in his home province in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League with Portage (2003-04) and then two seasons (2004-05 and 2006-07) in Winnipeg. He excelled offensively in the two seasons he played for his hometown team with 102 points (47G, 55A) in 101 games there. He also spent 22 games in the 2006-07 season with Prince George in the British Columbia Hockey League and then 26 games at Curry College in 2007-08 where he chipped in 46 points (22G, 24A) in 26 games.

"Jason Yuel has had three really productive years at school," said Bechard. "We're losing some production up front, but with Jason's willingness to go to the tough areas to score goals and also set up plays, he'll fit in very well to what we're looking for and our overall style of play."

The Snakes open the 2012-13 season on Friday, October 26 against the Pensacola Ice Flyers in a rematch of last season's President's Cup championship series. Season ticket plans are still available with great seats and affordable plans for those on a budget. For more information on how you can become a part of exciting Cottonmouths hockey, contact the Snakes office at 706.571.0086.

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