ECHL Kansas City Mavericks

Mavericks Build Depth at Forward with Pair of Signings

Published on September 8, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kansas City Mavericks News Release


INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - The Missouri Mavericks announced today that they have agreed to terms with forwards Reed Seckel and Radoslav Illo on standard player contracts for the 2016-17 season. Additionally, the Mavericks announced that Ken Morrow, member of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" U.S. Olympic hockey team and Stanley Cup champion, will hold an autograph session at Fan Fest on Saturday, September 10.

"Reed and Radoslav are exciting, important additions to our group of forwards," said Mavericks head coach John-Scott Dickson. "They are similar with their gritty, energetic and hardworking style of play. They will be reliable at both ends of the rink and can contribute offensively."

Seckel, a second-year pro, came to the Mavericks last season on December 15 in a trade with the Indy Fuel. With Missouri, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward notched 21 points (8g, 13a) and 56 penalty minutes in 46 games. Seckel also chipped in a pair of goals in seven Kelly Cup playoff games.

"When I heard that John-Scott Dickson was named the Mavericks' head coach, I couldn't think of playing for another team. I'm honored to play for him," said Seckel. "The Mavericks are a great organization and just do things the right way. This is going to be a year to remember."

From 2010 to 2015 Seckel skated for Northern Michigan University where he was a teammate of Mavericks forward Darren Nowick. Over 148 games with the Wildcats Seckel collected 87 points (41g, 46a) and 345 penalty minutes. He led NMU in goals during the 2012-13 season with 13 and was second on the 13-14 squad with 12.

The Mavericks acquired the rights to Illo, 26, from the Idaho Steelheads on June 13 to complete the future considerations portion of the trade that sent Torin Syndeman to Idaho. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound forward comes to the Mavericks for his third season as a pro. Last season Illo totaled 13 points (6g, 7a) over 37 games with time split between Tulsa, Norfolk and Idaho. A former fifth round pick (#136 overall) by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Illo spent his rookie season with MHC Martin in his native Slovakia.

"The Mavericks are a great organization. From last year, I know that they were always one of the hardest teams to play against so I'm excited to be a part of that," said Illo. "I want to help the team win a lot of games this year and compete for a championship. I can't wait to get this season going for all the fans, my teammates and the whole Mavericks organization."

Seckel and Illo join Samuel Noreau, Shawn Pauly, Rocco Carzo, Dane Fox, Darren Nowick, Kevin Tansey, Yuri Terao, Andrew Courtney, Bryce Aneloski and Dan Correale on the Mavericks' preseason roster.

In addition to the newest player signings, the Mavericks are pleased to announce that Ken Morrow, Director of Pro Scouting for the New York Islanders, will be on hand at Fan Fest on Sept. 10 for an autograph session from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Morrow, a defenseman during his playing days, is a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame who won gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics as a member of the "Miracle on Ice" team, and claimed four Stanley Cup titles with the Islanders from 1980 to 1984. He was the first player in hockey history to win an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup in the same calendar year.

"We are thrilled to offer our fans the chance to meet a hockey legend in Ken Morrow. We're also grateful to Ken for spending an afternoon with us at Fan Fest," said Mavericks general manager Brent Thiessen. "Fan Fest is always a great event to help build excitement for the upcoming season, but having Ken there takes it to another level."

Morrow will be signing autographs at the Mavericks booth inside Silverstein Eye Centers Arena at Fan Fest. Following Morrow, Mavericks defenseman Bryce Aneloski will sign autographs from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

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