Pierce Returning to IceMen for '11-12
Published on July 6, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN.--- There is a distinct aura of excitement resonating through the halls of IceMen hockey central these days as the AA Central Hockey league franchise makes ready for their arrival into the brand new downtown state-of-the-art Evansville Arena for the upcoming 2011-12 CHL pro hockey campaign. With today's latest announcement, another giant step forward has been successfully negotiated in the overall building of the Evansville team roster.
On this date, IceMen General Manager / Head Coach Rich Kromm has announced that left wing MATT PIERCE has consented to terms and signed a new one-year deal with the club for the 2011-12 season. Adhering to club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
PIERCE, 26, will be setting sail on his fifth pro season overall and his first full campaign under the banner of IceMen pro hockey, CHL style. The most recent Evansville signee returns to southwestern Indiana after enjoying a sound, solid, superlative coming-out-party as a mid-season acquisition by the hometown team by way of trade with the league rivals Texas Brahmas.
The strong 6-0, 205lb forward came onto the IceMen pro hockey scene for the final 27-games of the season after launching his second year of CHL competition in Texas with the Brahmas. Immediately upon his arrival, he asserted his prominent presence as a stellar two-way polished performer bent on making both the team and himself exceedingly successful. In 27-outings in the Evansville regalia, Pierce responded with a total of 19-points on 11-goals, 8-assists with 20-PIM, 3-PPG and 1-OTSO/GWG delivered on the road at archrival Fort Wayne, producing a key, clutch triumph over the IceMen their in-state foes, the Komets. For the season, the Arnprior, Ontario product essayed 32-points in 56-games on 16-goals, 16-assists with 41-PIM.
GM / Coach Kromm has now returned four members from his initial IceMen aggregation nation of last season with Pierce one of those rated highly on the Coach's wish list. "We are happy and pleased to have Matt back with us for another season in Evansville. Upon his acquisition from Texas in early January, he made his presence felt in our lineup, producing a strong finish to his and our season. What we really like about Matt is that he plays hard every game, every night. His offensive numbers with us have been excellent. He is an outstanding two-way winger."
Pierce was originally obtained back on January 6, 2011 along with goaltender Jeff Harvey in exchange for future considerations. He was in the midst of his second season with the Brahmas, having engineered 5-goals, 8-assists, 13-points in 29-games with his previous employer prior to the trade.
In the 2009-10, he divided the season in the CHL with both Texas and the Mississippi RiverKings. In a combined 58-games, he totaled a combined 38-points on 17-goals, 21-assists with 48-PIM and +3 rating.
Pierce actually launched his pro career in the SPHL in 2007-08 with perennial league powerhouse, the Knoxville Ice Bears where in 49-games, he collected 36-points including a career-best 22-goals.
His pro career numbers read: 229-games; 71-goals; 72-assists; 143-points; 236-PIM.
Pierce becomes the seventh player under contract to the IceMen for the upcoming 2011-12 CHL season and the fourth to be considered a returning member of last year's squadron. Previously, the IceMen signed defensemen MATT GENS; JORDAN LITTLE; STEVE MAKWAY; JAKE OBERMEYER; left wing MARK CODY; center TODD ROBINSON.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 6, 2011
- Pierce Returning to IceMen for '11-12 - Evansville IceMen
- Finalists Chosen for Dayton Gems Beer League Night - Dayton Gems
- New Bloomington CHL Team Extends Qualifying Offers to Six Players - Bloomington Blaze
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