PrairieThunder signs big, physical defenseman
Published on June 11, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -Bloomington PrairieThunder coach Jarrod Skalde believes he answered one of the team's needs for the 2009-10 season Thursday when he announced the signing of 6-foot-6 veteran defenseman Justin Sawyer.
The 240-pound Sawyer, a native of Oshawa, Ontario, has been on Skalde's radar screen since he began recruiting players for the upcoming International Hockey League season.
"Justin is a big, stay at home defenseman, who will provide long-needed size and toughness to our organization," said Skalde.
Sawyer, who completed his fourth season in the professional ranks last year, has 668 minutes in penalties in 191 games. He had 228 last season with Oklahoma City of the CHL and 303 with the Blazers in the 2007-08 campaign when he was a teammate of former PrairieThunder player Marty Standish.
"I have been extremely interested in Justin for some time and am excited to announce that he is a member of the PrairieThunder," added Skalde. "He is a character player and a great teammate. He shares in our vision of winning a championship and he will be a big part of that."
The 23-year-old Sawyer began his professional career with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL in 2005-06 where he played 13 games. The following season he played with the Columbia Inferno of the ECHL.
He began the 2007-08 campaign with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL before completing the season with the Oklahoma City Blazers. During his career, Sawyer has scored 29 points.
Sawyer's signing, of which terms were not disclosed per team policy, brings the PrairieThunder roster to five. Other signees have been last year's captain and MVP Jon Booras, Brett Holmberg, Jason Lepine and newcomer Joey Olson, a native of Peoria.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from June 11, 2009
- PrairieThunder signs big, physical defenseman - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Icehawks Get Tought with Signing of ECHL Forward - Port Huron Icehawks
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