Salmon Kings Ink Matt Pope

Published on August 3, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, announced today that they have signed forward Matt Pope for the 2010-11 season.

The 25-year-old was under contract to the Vancouver Canucks last season and played 40 games in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Moose recording eight points (3g-5a) and 23 minutes in penalties. Pope also dressed for two of Manitoba's Calder Cup Playoff contests registering one assist and 10 penalty minutes. In addition to his AHL contests, Pope spent six games in the ECHL last year with the Bakersfield Condors scoring eight points (4g-4a) while serving two minutes in penalties.

"Matt is a natural goal scorer and has proven this at the ECHL level over the last two seasons," General Manager and Head Coach Mark Morrison. "He earned his contract from the Canucks with his solid play in Manitoba in 2008-09."

The 6-1, 185 lb. forward began his professional career in 2008-09 also playing between the ECHL (Bakersfield) and AHL (Manitoba and Binghamton Senators). The majority of his campaign was spent in Bakersfield where he scored 63 points (30g-33a) in 54 games with the Condors while tallying 72 penalty minutes. His season in the ECHL garnered him All-Rookie honours. Pope also spent 12 total games in 2008-09 in the AHL between the Moose and Senators notching eight points (4g-4a) and 10 minutes in penalties. With Manitoba that season he also played in 12 Calder Cup Playoff matches scoring three goals and assisting on three others for six points with two minutes in penalties.

For his professional career Pope has suited up for 112 contests scoring 87 (41g-46a) while serving 107 penalty minutes.

The native of Langley, BC had a four-year junior career in the NCAA with Bemidji State University. In 143 total contests as a Beaver he accumulated 33 goals and 38 assists for 71 points while receiving 126 minutes in penalties. During his time at Bemidji State, Pope helped the Beavers to a College Hockey America (CHA) Conference Championship in 2004-05.

Victoria has now signed six players (three forwards and three defensemen) for the 2010-11 season Milan Gajic, Derick Martin, Matt Pope, Matt Stefanishion, Ryan Turek and Pete Vandermeer.

The Salmon Kings open the 2010-11 season on Friday, October 15th in Idaho with a two-game set versus the defending National Conference champion Steelheads. Victoria returns home to open up their schedule at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre with a three-game set versus the Ontario Reign beginning Wednesday, October 27th. Season tickets for the Salmon Kings' 2010-11 season are now on sale. Call 250-220-7889 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com to purchase yours today!

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