Ice Miners Add O'Brien, Li, Trade Solow
Published on February 7, 2015 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Keystone Ice Miners News Release
CONNELLSVILLE, PA - With the 2015 NAHL trade deadline passing last night, head coach/GM Michael Gershon announced that the Keystone Ice Miners have acquired forward Kelly O'Brien from the Minnesota Magicians for future considerations.
O'Brien who attended Port Huron Fighting Falcons camp before the 2013-14 season, is a 6'3, 190 pound forward from Southgate, MI. He has two goals and three assists in 38 games with the Magicians this season.
"The ability to bring in a big, left-handed forward who can play center and wing gives us some options with our lineup," said Gershon. "We've known Kelly for awhile - he's been at some of our camps and I think he's going to develop into a pretty good player. He skates well, he can add some physical presence to the lineup and he's got some size. Hopefully he's going to be a guy that's going to go to the front of the net and make things happen."
In addition, the Ice Miners have added defenseman Ji Young Li to the roster. Li, a 6'0, 180 pound defenseman from San Jose, CA, has prior NAHL experience with the Springfield Jr. Blues, playing in 58 games between 2012 and 2014. He had a point in each of the two Ice Miners wins in Michigan last weekend with an assist on Friday and an empty net goal on Saturday.
"He's a two-year guy that's played in the playoffs." Gershon said about Li. "He can bring some leadership and a strong defensive play to our back end. We got lucky with Ji in that he was available and was willing to come in here and work for a spot. He came in here and wanted to play for us and I think he'll give us just another option going into the playoffs."
To free up space for O'Brien and Li, the Ice Miners placed forward Brendan Jaquay on injured reserve and traded defenseman Jeff Solow to the Kenai River Brown Bears for future considerations.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2015
- Bruins Battle Cancer, Sweep Magicians - Austin Bruins
- IceRays Beaten by Brahmas, 5-3 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Jr. Blues Win Goalie Duel - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Ice Miners Add O'Brien, Li, Trade Solow - Keystone Ice Miners
- Kossoff's Saves, Hall's Goal Give Ice Miners 1-0 Win - Keystone Ice Miners
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