The Louisiana IceGators continue to have a very active off-season. After making big news the last couple of weeks with the signing of center Jake Hauswirth and the trade to acquire goalie Adam Courchaine, they ink a trio of forwards today with RW Phil Bronner, C Ryan Patsch, and RW Jeremy Plourde. Today's signings currently give the IceGators a total of ten players under SPHL contracts for this season.
RW Phil Bronner is set to begin his 3rd season as a pro, and has spent time with the RiverKings and Ice Bears during the 2013-14 season, racking up 10 goals, 15 assists, and one SPHL Player of the Week award. Last season, he played 35 games while winning a FHL title at Watertown. Bronner scored 22 goals and 27 assists along with 3 goals and 3 assists in their playoff run. His play earned him a callup to ECHL Elmira, where he scored 2 goals in 6 games.
Also entering his third professional season, Ryan Patsch has excelled in the FHL while playing for the Danbury Whalers. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in the 2013-14 season, where he scored 31 goals with 30 assists in the regular season, and 5 goals in 5 games in the playoffs. The Philadelphia native attended training camp with the Columbus Cottonmouths last season before returning to Danbury for a second season and continuing to be an offensive force for the Whalers, scoring 23 goals and 35 assists.
The youngest of the three forwards signed today, 21-year-old Jeremy Plourde has been an offensive force in the Junior-A level QJAAAHL in Quebec. The 5'10", 165 lb right winger's best season was in 2013-14, where he scored 42 goals and 43 assists in 52 games for La Tuque. Last season, his scoring pace dropped slightly - scoring only 24 goals but still was credited with 41 assists in 50 games - while getting moved between three different teams. In his three years in junior hockey, Plourde has 85 goals, 105 assists, and 190 points in 149 games.
Outlook
Today's signings continue the IceGators trend of signing big, physical forwards who like to play down low and hustle in front of the net. The 6'2", 205 lb. Bronner fits the mold of a power forward, and makes a big passing target for Alex Hudson or Jake Hauswirth on the right side. Coach Drew Omicioli is going to need someone to step into the void left by Adam Stuart's departure to Peoria, and Bronner will have every opportunity to compete for that role in training camp.
Ryan Patsch is a 6'0", 195lb. center that has the skills to be an effective playmaker up the middle, but his best chance of cracking the IceGators' roster will be on the left side, as the Gators are extremely deep at center.
Jeremy Plourde is definitely skilled in the offensive zone, as his three-year boxcars in the QJAAAHL is a stellar 86-105-191 in 154 games. However, his +/- rating during his time in juniors is a -41. Plourde will make a challenging developmental prospect for Coach Omicioli, and he has the potential to be extremely successful as a pro if he can improve on his two-way game.
Ryan Patsch is a 6'0", 195lb. center that has the skills to be an effective playmaker up the middle, but his best chance of cracking the IceGators' roster will be on the left side, as the Gators are extremely deep at center.
Jeremy Plourde is definitely skilled in the offensive zone, as his three-year boxcars in the QJAAAHL is a stellar 86-105-191 in 154 games. However, his +/- rating during his time in juniors is a -41. Plourde will make a challenging developmental prospect for Coach Omicioli, and he has the potential to be extremely successful as a pro if he can improve on his two-way game.
Here's an interesting factoid: Bronner and Patsch both spent time last season with the ECHL Elmira Jackals, who are fast becoming a de facto affiliate of the IceGators during Drew Omicioli's tenure. Four players from last season's IceGators - Bronner, Patsch, defenseman Jordan Ciccarello, and postseason sensation Stephen Buco - spent time playing in Elmira during the 2014-15 season. Elmira head coach Jamie Russell spent three years (2011-2014) as an assistant with Providence in the NCAA, and Omicioli (Providence '02) played four years with the Friars. Collegiate ties run deep, so look for a continued partnership between the IceGators and Jackals in the future.