Rivermen Sign a Trio of Rookies
October 11, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Peoria Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel has announced that the team has added three rookies to its training camp roster, which now consists of 29 names. Goaltenders Jack Astedt and Curtis Martinu, along with forward Steve Morra, have each signed a Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) training camp contract with Peoria and are expected to be at Carver Arena next week.
Astedt, 23, spent the last four seasons at Plymouth State College University (NCAA Div. III) in Plymouth, New Hampshire. In 81 career games, he compiled a (51-20-8) record with 10 shutouts and a 2.37 goals against average. The 6'1, 175-pound netminder also registered a .918 save percentage during his collegiate career.
A native of Angelholm, Sweden, Astedt was a two-time NCAA Div. III (MASCAC) all-star while at Plymouth State. During his junior season, he helped the Panthers win the NCAA Div. III (MASCAC) championship.
Martinu, 20, has played junior hockey in Canada for each of the past two years. Last season, he spent time with the Estevan Bruins in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, where he compiled a record of (16-29-0) and two shutouts over 46 games. The 6'4, 215-pound netminder also posted a 3.35 goals against average and a .893 save percentage during the regular season.
In 2011-12, Martinu appeared in 32 games for the Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The St. Joachim, Ontario native posted a (16-11-3) record with one shutout, a 3.19 goals against average and a save percentage of .898.
Morra, 24, just completed a four-year career at Northeastern University in Boston. Over 54 games, he notched three goals and five assists along with 18 penalty minutes. While at Northeastern, Morra also skated with current Rivermen forward Garrett Vermeersch, who was signed on September 8th.
Prior to his college career, the 5'11, 190-pound forward played three seasons of junior hockey for the Boston Jr. Bruins in the Empire Junior Hockey League from 2006-2009. In 90 career games, he scored 43 goals and added 53 assists for 96 points. During that span, the Bristol, Rhode Island native received numerous awards including Team MVP and EJHL All-Star in 2007. He also led the team to victory with a pair of goals in the 2007 EJHL championship game.
Peoria's training camp will run Oct. 13-19 at Carver Arena, with players hitting the ice for the first time on Monday, Oct. 14 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Players and coaches will be available to the media after each session. Below is a complete list of practice and game times during training camp.
Rivermen Training Camp Schedule
Monday, October 14 - Practice from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Carver Arena
Tuesday, October 15 - Practice from 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. at Carver Arena
Tuesday, October 15 - Practice/scrimmage from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Carver Arena
Wednesday, October 16 - Practice from 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. at Carver Arena
Wednesday, October 16 - Practice/scrimmage from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Carver Arena
Thursday, October 17 - Practice from 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. at Carver Arena
Thursday, October 17 - Practice/scrimmage from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Carver Arena
Friday, October 18 - Exhibition game at 7:15 p.m. against Bloomington at Carver Arena
Saturday, October 19 - Exhibition game at 7:15 p.m. against Bloomington at U.S. Cellular Coliseum
SPHL Stories from October 11, 2013
- Rivermen Acquire Popular Forward from Louisiana - Peoria Rivermen
- Surge Set to Host Exclusive Event for Season Ticket Holders - Mississippi Surge
- Knoxville Ice Bears Free Agent Showcase this Weekend - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Fulton Returning, Two Signed - Huntsville Havoc
- Rivermen Sign a Trio of Rookies - Peoria Rivermen
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
