CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings make winger Sessa third veteran

Published on July 19, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN --- Memphis RiverKings Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin McClelland announced today that the team has signed veteran winger Jason Sessa for the 2006-2007 season. Sessa, a native of Long Island, NY, has a total of 481 games of professional experience after playing last season with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the ECHL and the Elmira Jackals of the UHL. The RiverKings will be the first CHL team, and the 12th team overall, that he has played for.

"I am excited about this opportunity to play in a new city and in a new league," Sessa said. "I want to work hard, have some fun, and win a championship."

Sessa, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, started last season by playing 14 games, scoring a goal and collecting three assists, with Long Beach. He was released by the Ice Dogs on December 8 and signed by the Jackals on December 9. He contributed 22 goals and 33 assists in 54 games. Sessa also played with the Jackals in 2004-2005 and was their leading goal scorer with 34.

Sessa was a fourth-round pick (86th overall) of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He broke in with the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate in St. John's at the end of the 1997-1998 season and played two more seasons with the Baby Leafs. In the following seasons, he played with the Louisiana Ice Gators (ECHL), the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL), St John's again, the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (AHL), Springfield Falcons (AHL), Dayton Bombers (ECHL), Sheffield Steelers (England), Quad City (UHL), Elmira (UHL), Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) and Long Beach (ECHL).

"I have been all over the place," he said. "That is the aspect of hockey that I love. You can go different places and meet different people. Signing with Memphis gives me a chance to see another area of the country, as well as to play for a great organization."

His best season came in 2000-2001 when he was an ECHL All-Star and scored 34 goals and had 30 assists in 58 games with South Carolina. That season, the Stingrays won the ECHL Kelly Cup Championship.

He matched those numbers exactly, 34 goals and 30 assists, in 66 games with Elmira in 2004-2005 when he was a UHL All-Star. For his career, Sessa has scored 195 goals and assisted on 193 others.

"I try to create as much offense as I can, scoring goals and setting up guys, but I also like to be accountable defensively," Sessa said. "I want to be a consistent scoring threat every night and not take any nights off. I am not going to be the most physical player, but if I need to hit someone, I'll hit someone or if I need to take a check, I will take a check."

Sessa played college hockey at Division I Lake Superior State for three seasons (95-98). He was Second Team All-CCHA after the 96-97 season when he tied roommate, and current Wichita Thunder All-Star Joe Blaznek, for the team-lead in goals with 22.

Sessa and Coach McClelland crossed paths when Sessa played ,and McClelland was an assistant coach, at St John's in 2000-2001.

He was also a silver medal winner with Team USA at the 1997 World Junior Championships in Geneva, Switzerland.

Sessa is the 11th player signed by the RiverKings for 2006-2007 and the third veteran. Central Hockey League rules limit teams to four veterans (players with at least 280 pro games).

Travis Banga F

Derek Campbell F

Eric Frank F

Bobby Gates D

Ryan Held F

Derek Landmesser (v) D

Jason Sessa (v) F

Larry Sterling G

Jason Tessier (v) D

Sheldon Wenzel F

Chad Wilcox F

(v)-veteran

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Central Hockey League Stories from July 19, 2006


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