IceMen Complete Player Deal with Texas

Published on January 6, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release


EVANSVILLE, IN.--- Gripped in the throes and woes of a six game winless skein and having won only three of their last 20-games, the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League have consummated their second major player deal of this current 2010-11 CHL season.

Seeking more improvement and winning consistency on a more competitive basis, the IceMen have announced on this date the acquisitions of goaltender JEFF HARVEY and left wing MATT PIERCE from the Texas Brahmas in exchange for future considerations. The trade takes effect immediately.

HARVEY, 27, is a second year pro who brings some significant and substantial credentials to the Evansville organization. The 6-0, 180lb backbone backstop enjoyed four exemplary seasons in the highly-prestigious major junior `A' Western Hockey League (WHL) before casting his All-Star presence in the major Canadian collegiate ranks through an extraordinary five-year career at the U. of Saskatchewan. In between, his shining star brightened the prospects of the UHL Rockford IceHogs as well.

The native of St. Albert, Alberta has performed his puck-stopping "stupendo" in the 2010-11 CHL season with the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs as well as the Texas squad before his procurement by the IceMen. Combined in 10-games thus far this season, Harvey has assembled a winning record of 9(6-3-0) with 1-shutout, a 3.28 GAA and .897 SPCT. In Bossier-Shreveport; 3(3-0-0); 2.84 GAA; .904 SPCT. In Texas: 6(3-3-0); 3.60 GAA; .892 SPCT.

PIERCE, 25, is presently in his fourth pro season and his second with the Brahmas. In 29-games this season, the 6-0, 205lb stalwart has collected 13-points on 5-goals, 8-assists along with 21-PIM. Acquired by Texas in the 2009-10 CHL campaign, the Arnprior, Ontario product averaged nearly a point a game for the Brahmas club on 19(10-7-17) with 10-PIM. He added 2-goals, 2-assists, 4-points in 6-playoff games last spring as well for the Texas team.

The IceMen's newest forward has also achieved some solid seasons with the Mississippi River Kings as well as in the ECHL with Charlotte and the SPHL with Knoxville; 49(22-14-36).

IceMen General Manager/Coach Rich Kromm expressed enthusiasm and optimism regarding the arrival of the club's newest personnel acquisitions. "We are excited about the opportunity to acquire both Jeff Harvey and Matt Pierce and add them to our hockey club. Considering the time of the season and the state in which we are in, it has become apparent that our roster needed to be addressed and improved. With the experience and respective expertise that both of these young players bring to our organization, we are looking forward to welcoming them into our lineup and better solidifying our hockey club at their particular positions."

Harvey starred for the past 5-years at the U. of Saskatchewan, posting a 17(10-6-1) record in 2009-10 with 1-shutout, 2.41 GAA and .920 SPCT. In his final year of eligibility in the WHL in 2003-04, he was hailed WHL Goaltender of the Year with the Everett Silvertips where in 48-games, he fashioned a sterling mark of 44(24-15-5) with 5-shutouts, a league-best, miserly, microscopic 1.97 GAA and brilliant .926 SPCT. In his brief stint in 2004-05 with UHL Rockford, Harvey was dynamic and bedazzling, posting a 7(5-2-0) mark, 2.27 GAA and .908 SPCT.

As for Pierce, previous to his professional initiation and indoctrination, he, too, saw service in the Canadian college environment at Royal Military College of the CIS.

Harvey is expected to join the IceMen for the club's two weekend games in Fort Wayne Friday night and on home ice at Swonder Ice Arena Saturday night against the surging Quad City Mallards. Pierce is expected to report to Evansville immediately following the CHL All-Star Game January 12th at Rapid City.

In related roster moves, the IceMen have waived defensemen Jake Pence and Jay Holladay. Pence, in 20-games was 20(0-1-1) with 18-PIM while Holladay was 10(2-0-2) with 4-PIM.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from January 6, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central