Snakes Sign Pair of Rookie Defensemen

Published on August 15, 2011 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


The Columbus Cottonmouths have signed a pair of defensemen for the 2011-12 season, as Morgan James and Andrew Krelove will join the Snakes for their professional debuts.

James, 21, hails from Commerce Township, Michigan. The 6-foot-4, 256 lb defenseman spent one season with the Metro Jets of the North American 3 Hockey League. In 39 games, he racked up 180 penalty minutes and four points.

"Morgan is obviously a big man and plays a physical game, something that I think we missed with Dan Leslie and Craig Stahl retiring at the same time," head coach Jerome Bechard said. "He has been utilized as both a defenseman and a forward and was his team captain last year. I think he could bring a lot of intangibles to our team that we may have been lacking last year."

Krelove comes to the Snakes after playing four seasons of division-I hockey at Bowling Green State University, where former Snake Chris Bergeron from the 1997-98 CHL Levin's Cup Championship team is currently the head coach. In 141 games, Krelove collected 16 points. Prior to attending Bowling Green, the 6-foot defenseman played two seasons with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League. Krelove, 24, hails from Thunder Bay Ontario.

"Andrew has played at high level, and has proven himself to be a reliable defenseman," Bechard said. "I hope to build on that and have him contribute in all situations."

The Snakes have now signed six returning players and two newcomers for the upcoming season. James and Krelove join forwards Sam Bowles, Brett Hammond and Orrin Hergott, defenseman Tom Maldonado and goaltenders Andrew Loewen and Ian Vigier on the Snakes roster. The Cottonmouths kick off their 16th season with a pair of home games Friday and Saturday, October 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Season tickets are on sale now, with flex ticket packages starting at just $88. The Cottonmouths offer a convenient payment plan to help fans meet their budget needs. Visit cottonmouths.com to reserve your season tickets today or to find out more information. Individual game tickets are tentatively scheduled to go on sale to the public Monday, October 3 at 10 a.m.

Season ticket holder benefits include up to $231 in savings based on box office prices, merchandise discounts all season long, rewards card with offers from local sponsors, unused ticket policy, exclusive events with the players, automatic entry into all non-cost major drawings and giveaways, first priority seating for the playoffs and more. A guaranteed giveaway option has also been added for season ticket holders this year. For $20 per set of season tickets, fans can reserve one of each of our premium giveaway items (bobblehead, giveaway jersey, player cards, poster, etc) without having to wait in line!

For more information or to reserve your season tickets today, contact the Snakes office at 706 571 0086 or visit cottonmouths.com.

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