Falcons Add Goal Scorer
August 17, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons have signed right winger Jean Francois Plourde to a contract for the 2005-06 season.
The third year pro from Quebec City, Quebec, parlayed a remarkable 107 goals and 186 points during his final two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League into a contract with the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers as he entered the professional ranks. After Plourde spent nearly two full seasons with two different Edmonton affiliates in the ECHL, Falcons head coach and general manager Matt Thomas traded for Plourde just prior to last season's trade deadline while he was the head coach for the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies. Plourde flourished under the different system and averaged more than a point per game for the Bullies.
"JF is a guy we targeted right from the get go this off-season. He has a great combination of grit and skill and is the type of player a team needs to go deep into the playoffs," said Thomas. "We'll play him in situations where he can excel - he's a skill guy that needs to play with other skill players - and I think he'll become a 30-goal scorer."
Plourde's signing gives the Falcons nine players under contract for this coming season. He joins fellow forwards Fraser Clair, Brett Hammond, Scott Rozendal, and John Wroblewski, defensemen Cory Murphy, Matt O'Dette and Dustin VanBallegooie, and goaltender Brett Jaeger on the roster.
Falcons season tickets are currently available for the 2005-06 ECHL campaign, beginning with the club's season opener on Oct. 21 against the Victoria Salmon Kings at Save Mart Center. Both full season packages (36 games) and 24-game packages include seats to the 2006 Bud Light ECHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition to be held at Save Mart Center on Jan. 24 and 25. For complete ticket information and an arena map of Save Mart Center, please visit the Falcons website at www.fresnofalcons.com/tickets.html.
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