Rivermen add to their defense
September 14, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Peoria, IL (September 14, 2005) - General Manager of Hockey Operations Kevin McDonald of the Peoria Rivermen, proud new primary affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, announced today that the team has agreed to the terms of an American Hockey League (AHL) contract with defenseman Rocky Thompson.
Thompson, 28, joins the AHL Rivermen for his ninth professional season after playing for the now-defunct Edmonton Roadrunners of the AHL in 2004-05. In 69 games last season, he tied his career high in goals (3), collected three assists, and amassed 231 minutes in penalties. The 6-2, 200-pound blueliner produced his best statistical campaign as a professional while with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL in 2002-03, when he posted career highs in games played (79), assists (11), points (12), and penalty minutes (275).
A product of Calgary, Alberta, Thompson was selected by his hometown Calgary Flames with the 72nd overall choice of the 1995 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft. In 25 career NHL games with the Flames and the Florida Panthers, he has registered 117 penalty minutes.
Thompson has spent the vast majority of his professional career in the AHL, having played for six franchises. He owns career AHL numbers of 56 points (15 goals, 41 assists) and 1,545 penalty minutes in 452 contests. He has also accumulated over 200 combined penalty minutes in a season four times as a professional (1997-98, 2000-01, 2002-03, and 2004-05) and three times as an amateur (1994-95, 1995-96, and 1996-97).
The Rivermen are a proud new member of the AHL. Founded in 1936, the AHL now serves as the primary development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams and will celebrate its 70th anniversary season in 2005-06.
Season tickets for the Rivermen's inaugural season as a member of the AHL are now on sale! To obtain more information or to purchase season tickets, please contact Rivermen Director of Ticket Operations Jim Small at (309) 676-1040, extension 106, or tickets@rivermen.net. Listen to the live broadcast of all Rivermen games on HOPE 98.5 (WPIA-FM).
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American Hockey League Stories from September 14, 2005
- Phantoms add to staff - Adirondack Phantoms
- Rats Add Pre-Season Game - Albany River Rats
- Sound Tigers To Help Hurricane Relief This Sunday - Bridgeport Islanders
- Rivermen add to their defense - Peoria Rivermen
- Aeros sign Lundbohm, James, Peters - Houston Aeros
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