Syracuse Crunch Sign Forwards Spencer Kersten, Reece Newkirk to AHL Contracts
AHL Syracuse Crunch

Syracuse Crunch Sign Forwards Spencer Kersten, Reece Newkirk to AHL Contracts

Published on September 16, 2025 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Crunch have signed forwards Spencer Kersten and Reece Newkirk to one-year AHL Contracts, General Manager and Head Coach Joel Bouchard announced today.

Kersten, 25, played in nine games with the Crunch last season posting one goal. He has also skated in 60 games with the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, earning 25 goals and 55 points, and two games with the Belleville Senators. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward was named the ECHL Rookie of the Month for January tallying 11 goals and six assists in 12 games during the month.

The Waterloo, Ontario native has appeared in 11 career AHL games with the Crunch and Senators, tallying one goal, and 70 career ECHL games, all with Orlando, since 2023 recording 61 points (27g, 34a). Prior to his professional career, Kersten spent three seasons at Princeton University from 2019 to 2023 and one season at Bowling Green State University in 2023-24. He totaled 54 points (24g, 30a) in 129 career collegiate games.

Newkirk, 24, skated in six games with the Crunch last season earning three assists. He has also skated in 10 games with the Solar Bears, tallying five goals and eight points, and 13 games with the Florida Everblades, earning 10 points (2g, 8a). The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward additionally played in 17 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds recording one goal and two assists.

The Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan native has appeared in 68 career AHL games with the Crunch, Thunderbirds and Bridgeport Islanders accumulating 16 points (3g, 13a) and 125 career ECHL games with Solar Bears, Everblades and Worcester Railers earning 96 points (44g, 52a) all since 2021. He was selected by the New York Islanders in the fifth round, 147th overall, at the 2019 NHL Draft. Newkirk was acquired by the Crunch last season in a trade with Springfield on Feb. 20.

Single game tickets and ticket packages for the 2025-26 season are on sale now and can be purchased in person at the Crunch office located inside the Upstate Medical University Arena at Onondaga County War Memorial at 800 S. State St. in Syracuse, by calling the office at 315-473-4444 or online through Ticketmaster. For the latest Crunch news, visit www.syracusecrunch.com or follow the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch), X (@SyracuseCrunch) and Instagram (@syracusecrunch).

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