IceMen Sign Left Wing Josh Beaulieu
Published on August 1, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN.--- The Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League continue to move with great purpose with prompt and decisive direction in developing their roster for the approaching 2011-12 CHL season as they get ready to adopt the new Downtown Evansville Arena as their new hockey home for the Tri-State region.
Case in point came today when General Manager / Head Coach Rich Kromm announced that recently acquired left wing JOSH BEAULIEU has assented to contract terms and affixed his signature to the bottom line of a new one-year contract with his new Evansville team. Adhering to club policy, terms of the pact were not disclosed.
BEAULIEU,(BOH-lee-ooh), 24, was recently obtained by the IceMen in a straight two-player trade with CHL fellow conference rivals, the Rapid City Rush in exchange for the rights to left wing Mike Vaskivuo. Upon the former's acquisition, the IceMen organization moved quickly to negotiate and complete a contract deal with their newest forward.
The rugged 6-1, 190lb former 2005 fifth round draft choice of the NHL Philadelphia Flyers will bring to Evansville an impressive resume primarily consisting of significant game experience at the higher levels of the professional hockey ranks. The Comber, Ontario product launched his pro career in the AHL where he gained seasoning with the Flyers top AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms from 2007-09 and later the Adirondack Phantoms in the 2009-10 campaign. In three AHL seasons, he saw considerable action in 136-league games.
The 2010-11 season represented Beaulieu's initial endeavor in the CHL where in 65-games with the Rush, he registered 26-points on 11-goals, 15-assists with 79-PIM and solid +5 rating. A virtual paragon of determination and durability, he helped spark his Rapid City squadron to a share of the CHL Turner Conference crown as the defending league kingpins by topping his title timber team with a team-best 4-SH/Points on a team-high 2-SHG and 2-SHA. In fact, one of those 2-shorthanded strikes was stoked against the IceMen. Furthermore, also included in his offensive output were 3-GWG, 5-FG and team-best 3-UG. In the playoffs, Beaulieu emerged at the top of his overall game with 7-points in 15-games on 3-goals, 4-assists, +1 rating and a team-supreme 2-GWG. He also added 1-more SHG.
GM/Coach Kromm is pleased with the completion of the contract deal with his newest team member and looks forward to Beaulieu's arrival in Evansville. "We are excited to have moved quickly and get Josh under contract and ready to go for the new season. As we mentioned at the time of his acquisition from Rapid City, he was a key component of that team's total success and we expect him to do the same, if not better for us. His many quality attributes will be a good fit for our club as we move forward in becoming a contending team in the league."
For Beaulieu, the 2010-11 season was one marked by several significant personal accomplishments that deserve much recognition. He saw service in his 200th pro game back on March 25th at Arizona, delivered his first 2-goal game on New Year's Day against Wichita and notched his first-ever pro playoff goal which was the GWG on April 16th in Game #2 of the Turner Conference Semi-Finals against the Fort Wayne Komets. Moreover, it is interesting to note, in a touch of true irony, that his best premium, positive, plus performance was attained on January 21st against the IceMen, achieving a brilliant +4 rating.
Evansville's newest player signee initially arrived on the pro scene following a creditable four-year career in the major junior 'A' with the London Knights of the OHL. In 210-games, he recorded 37-goals, 37-assists, 74-points.
Today's signing of left wing JOSH BEAULIEU, increases the total to 14-players under IceMen contract for the 2011-12 season. Also signed thus far are: goaltender BRIAN GILLIS; defensemen MATT GENS, ADAM KNOPP, JORDAN LITTLE, STEVE MAKWAY, JAKE OBERMEYER, PHILIPPE PLANTE, NICK SCHNEIDER; left wings MARK CODY, MATT PIERCE; centers BRIAN BICEK, TODD ROBINSON; right wing DUSTIN JOHNSON.
Central Hockey League Stories from August 1, 2011
- And the Winners Are..... - Laredo Bucks
- IceMen Sign Left Wing Josh Beaulieu - Evansville IceMen
- Mallards Ink Rookie Blue Liner Waller - Quad City Mallards
- Dan Gendur Re-Signs with Bees - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
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