Ice Re-Sign All-Star and Franchise's Top-Scoring Defenseman
April 30, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Indianapolis Ice News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-- The Indianapolis Ice announced today that three-time all-star defenseman Bernie John will return for his fifth season with the club.
John, who is the top-scoring defenseman in Ice franchise history, is coming off another exceptional season as the all-star blueliner amassed 66 points (14G, 52A) and seven power play goals in 64 games of work. He finished the year second among CHL defensemen in points and assists and was third in power play goals. He also tied for the team-lead in playoff scoring with ten points (2G, 8A) in eight playoff contests.
"Re-signing Bernie was a top priority," said Ice Head Coach Ken McRae. "He is a proven all-star and arguably the top offensive defenseman in the CHL. He has also meant a lot to this franchise and to the city of Indianapolis.
With 277 points (74G, 203A) in his four years with the Ice, John is the top-scoring defenseman in the CHL since the start of the 1999-00 season. In league annals, he ranks ninth in scoring all-time among defensemen in CHL/WPHL history and will enter next season just 33 points behind former Ice captain, Mike "The Bullet" Berger for sixth in all-time league scoring.
"Obviously, it is great to continue my career here in Indy," said John. "I have been through good times and hard times the past four years, but last year as a team it was the best group of guys that I have ever been around.
John, who was a member of the Ice's 2000 CHL Championship Team, enters the upcoming year third in franchise history in scoring trailing only Chris MacKenzie (297 points) and Sean Williams (286). With 238 games in an Ice uniform, he is fourth in all-time games played behind only Williams (320), Ivan Droppa (297) and Rob Conn (280).
"If this were the NFL, Bernie John would be our franchise player," said Ice General Manager Larry Linde. "He is arguably one of the most proficient and popular players in the history of this organization.
A native of Sudbury, Ontario, John has played ten years professionally making stops in the Colonial Hockey League, United Hockey League, International Hockey League and CHL. He will enter his 11th season just one point shy of 550 for his pro career as his career laurels include three 70-or-more point seasons and 549 career points (135G, 414A) in just 603 games.
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Central Hockey League Stories from April 30, 2003
- Ice Re-Sign All-Star and Franchise's Top-Scoring Defenseman - Indianapolis Ice
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