Express Sign Drew Akins, Receive Peter Mannino
January 13, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Chicago Express News Release
Hoffman Estates, IL - The Chicago Express, proud member of the ECHL and proud affiliate of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, announced today that F Drew Akins has signed with the team. He will join the club in Florida and is expected to play tonight against the Everblades. In separate transactions, G Peter Mannino has been reassigned to the club from St. John's (AHL) by Winnipeg (NHL), and G Paul Dainton was reassigned by Springfield (AHL) to Reading (ECHL).
Akins, 26, joins Chicago after 16 games last season between the Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL) and Quad City Mallards (CHL). Akins collected one assist and 11 PIM between the two squads. The second-year forward also played three games with the Gladiators at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season, following his four-year collegiate career.
Prior to turning pro, the 5-11, 190 pound forward played four seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Akins served as the team captain during his senior season, and posted his highest point totals in any single season of his career, with six goals and 11 assists for 17 points. He played 152 games from 2006-2010, and won a WCHA Championship with the Bulldogs during the 2008-09 season. Akins finished his collegiate career with 51 points on 21 goals and 30 assists. The Excelsior, Minnesota, native also played one year with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL, scoring 15 goals and adding 19 assists for 34 points to go along with 92 PIM.
The Express have also received G Peter Mannino from the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League. The fourth-year pro has played six games in the NHL, including one game for the Winnipeg Jets this season. The Farmington Hills, Michigan, native has played 124 games in the AHL during his career, 80 of them with the Chicago Wolves. Mannino was originally assigned to the Express on January 4, before being immediately recalled to St. John's the next day.
Goaltender Paul Dainton has been reassigned by the Springfield Falcons (AHL) to the Reading Royals (ECHL) today as well.
The Express play their next four games on the road, and then return to the Sears Centre Arena on January 25th against the Cincinnati Cyclones.
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