IceMen Sign Right Wing Sean O'Connor
August 15, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN.--- With the official signing of their lease agreement in making the new state-of-the-art Downtown Evansville Arena their all-new hockey home, the Evansville IceMen of the Central Hockey League continue to make significant inroads in player roster development for the approaching 2011-12 CHL pro hockey season.
On this date, General Manager/Head Coach Rich Kromm has announced that the IceMen have reached contract terms with right wing SEAN O'CONNOR on a one-year contract for the upcoming 2011-12 campaign. Adhering to club policy, terms of the contract deal were not disclosed.
O'CONNOR, 24, will be coming to the Southwest Indiana franchise to broach his fourth pro season and his first under the auspices of the Evansville club. The 5-11,185lb starboard flank has achieved a strong and stellar resume which the IceMen expect will enhance and otherwise advance their on-ice fortunes in year two of the club's AA/CHL existence.
The American-bred from Brownstown, MI will be changing allegiances when arriving to training camp in October as the IceMen's newest right wing comes to town following three outstanding seasons with the IceMen in-state archrivals, the Fort Wayne Komets. Also, he will be bringing some genuine championship stock to the Evansville organization as well. O'Connor has been a major contributing member of two Komets coronations in consecutive fashion, (2008-09; 2009-10) as well as one major junior 'A' title in the OHL with the Plymouth Whalers (2006-07).
In 2010-11, his final year in Fort Wayne, the versatile forward registered 38-points in 57-games through 14-goals, 24-assists with 38-PIM while adding 4-assists in 5-playoff outings; 5(0-4-4). One season earlier, in 2009-10, O'Connor attained his best pro season to this point of his pro career, engineering a career-high 51-points in 72-games including 23-goals, 28-assists with those 23-snipes matching his Fort Wayne pro career-best which he originally accomplished in 2008-09 when he was hailed and heralded Fort Wayne Team Rookie of the Year and a member of the IHL All-Rookie Team.
GM/Coach Kromm for the last several years has been on the opponents' team bench and has witnessed, first-hand what O'Connor can do and has done. The Coach is thrilled to now have Sean on his bench. "Sean has been a real thorn in our side for the last few years when we have tangled with Fort Wayne. He has always been one of their most effective players against us and he has been instrumental in helping the Komets to win championships. With him now on our side, we look for him to add some spark to our forwards' group as he has the ability to score, play in every situation and be very, very competitive."
The newest member of the Evansville hockey nation has always excelled in the post-season playoffs as well. In fact, in 2008-09, he emerged as the Komets second leading scorer on another Fort Wayne title timber team, averaging a point a game; 11(2-9-11) while in 2009-10, he was in the K's top five playoff point-meisters with 12(5-4-9).
Prior to his pro career, O'Connor enjoyed a solid five-year career in the major junior 'A' OHL, principally with the Erie Otters and with the 2006-07 OHL Champions, the Plymouth Whalers.
His pro career numbers entering this season: 192-games; 61-goals, 77-assists, 138-points, 173-PIM.
Today's signing of right wing SEAN O'CONNOR increases the IceMen roster to 17-players including one goaltender; 7-defensemen and 9-forwards. The IceMen signed players include: goaltender BRIAN GILLIS; defensemen MATT GENS, ADAM KNOPP, JORDAN LITTLE, STEVE MAKWAY, JAKE OBERMEYER, PHILIPPE PLANTE, NICK SCHNEIDER; left wings JOSH BEAULIEU, MARK CODY, MATT PIERCE; centers BRIAN BICEK, NICKLAS LINDBERG, TODD ROBINSON, BRAD SMULDERS; right wing DUSTIN JOHNSON.
Central Hockey League Stories from August 15, 2011
- 2011-12 IceMen Schedule Announced - Evansville IceMen
- Thunder Announces 20th Anniversary Schedule - Wichita Thunder
- Rush Announce 2011-12 Season Schedule - Rapid City Rush
- IceMen Sign Right Wing Sean O'Connor - Evansville IceMen
- Komets Announce 60th Anniversary Schedule; Home Opener October 22 - Fort Wayne Komets
- Oilers 2011-12 Schedule Announced - Tulsa Oilers
- Mallards Open 2011-12 Season at Home October 22 - Quad City Mallards
- Dayton Gems Officially Release 2011-2012 Regular Season Schedule - Dayton Gems
- Bloomington Blaze Announces 2011-12 Game Schedule - Bloomington Blaze
- Bucks Announcee 2011-2012 Schedule: Home Opener October 28th - Laredo Bucks
- Mavericks Announce 2011-12 Season Schedule - Kansas City Mavericks
- Killer Bees Annouce Schedule for 2011-12 Season - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
- CHL 2011-12 Regular Season Schedule Unveiled - CHL
- Sundogs 2011-12 Regular Season Schedule Released - Arizona Sundogs
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