Jackals' First Wave of Signings Includes Bolstered Blue Line
July 27, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Brennan Turner and R.J. Anderson, two standout defensemen for the Elmira Jackals this past season, have re-signed with the team for the 2010-2011 campaign. Elmira also announced on Tuesday the signings of defenseman Joey Ryan and center Brock McBride.
Turner, a native of Foam Lake, Saskatchewan set a team mark in plus-minus last season of +33 and was second in the ECHL in that category, leading the American Conference. He was +2 or better in 16 games for the Jackals in his first season with the club.
The Yale University product scored six goals while adding 15 assists for 21 points in 2009-2010, including his first-career game-winning goal on Mar. 7 in overtime at Johnstown. Turner scored five points in Elmira's first-round playoff series against Florida.
He was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fifth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
"Brennan is a proven leader on the Jackals blue line, as displayed by his +33 last season. He is a strong, physical player who plays with passion and emotion and represents the type of character that we're looking for with the Jackals," Cameron said.
"Elmira is a great hockey city with great hockey fans. It's a good stepping stone for young players looking to move up," Turner said.
Anderson came to Elmira in a December trade from the Johnstown Chiefs last season, a move that proved successful for the rookie blue-liner and the Jackals.
With Elmira, Anderson totaled 24 points (7g-17a) and was +8. The Lino Lakes, Minn. native was second in the league among first-year defensemen with 43 points (12g-31a) and seventh among all blue-liners in that category. On Nov. 22 with the Chiefs, he recorded his first-career hat trick against South Carolina, adding two assists in the contest as well.
"R.J. had a tremendous rookie season last year as evidenced by his offensive output. The bar has been set even higher for him this season and we look forward to seeing him in his sophomore season," Cameron said.
"Elmira has a great atmosphere and that is the first thing that comes to mind. Through our last game the fan support was outstanding last season," Anderson said. "I've heard great things about Coach Cameron and I know he is doing the best he can to put together a team that will compete night in and night out and go deeper than any Jackals team has gone before."
The former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher tied a 2009-2010 ECHL single-game high of +5 twice this past season. Anderson was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Ryan, a Stoneham, Mass. product, went back and forth with the Reading Royals and their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, in 2009-2010. In his rookie season of 2008-2009, Ryan split time with the Cincinnati Cyclones and the Marlies.
"Joey is a big, strong, determined individual who has AHL and ECHL experience and was looking for an environment to continue his growth as a player," Cameron said. "We're looking forward to him coming to play for us."
"I am excited to play for Elmira and Coach Cameron. I talked to Malcolm and he said he wants to win this year and he convinced me to come play for him. He is a good coach who knows what he is doing so I am really excited to go play for Elmira," Ryan said.
Prior to turning pro, Ryan was a Memorial Cup champion with the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) in 2006 and a President's Cup champion with the Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) in 2008.
Ryan was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. McBride began his rookie season of 2009-2010 with the Syracuse Crunch and finished it with the Alaska Aces, recording 25 points (12g-13a) in 38 games with the ECHL's westernmost squad.
The Cornwall, Ontario native played four seasons at St. Lawrence University (NCAA D-1, ECAC), finishing second on the team in scoring in his senior year of 2008-2009 and leading the team in points his junior year of 2007-2008. McBride's 20 assists his senior year tied for the Saints' lead and his 12 goals and 22 assists topped St. Lawrence in his junior season.
After completing his elibility at St. Lawrence, McBride skated eight games with the Hartford Wolfpack (AHL) at the end of the 2008-2009 season.
"Brock is a very bright and talented player who we expect to produce offensively for us as evidenced by his outstanding four years at St. Lawrence University," Cameron said. "Having one year of professional hockey under his belt will help in his efforts this year with the Jackals as we look for him to be a key offensive weapon on our team."
Season tickets for the Jackals are on sale now and start as low as $360. To select your seats to see Coach Cameron's Jackals in 2010-2011, call (607) 734-PUCK (7825).
ECHL Stories from July 27, 2010
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