It has become a trend this offseason that the Louisiana IceGators make big announcements. On the morning of the SPHL deadline for re-signing protected players, the team makes the biggest announcement of them all. The IceGators have re-signed the remaining players on their protected list, with the exception of goalie Scott Diebold, who has elected to retire and put his engineering degree from RPI to good use.
The players re-signed by the IceGators include center Luke Kasteel, wingers Stephen Buco & Matt Viola, and defensemen Tanner Burton, Jordan Ciccarello, and Dan Cornell. Given the high turnover in minor-league hockey, it is highly unlikely that a team can re-sign or trade twelve of thirteen players from their protected list. The IceGators managed to pull off this unlikely task. However, Jeremy Boyer's return to the IceGators was completely unexpected.
The players re-signed by the IceGators include center Luke Kasteel, wingers Stephen Buco & Matt Viola, and defensemen Tanner Burton, Jordan Ciccarello, and Dan Cornell. Given the high turnover in minor-league hockey, it is highly unlikely that a team can re-sign or trade twelve of thirteen players from their protected list. The IceGators managed to pull off this unlikely task. However, Jeremy Boyer's return to the IceGators was completely unexpected.
Boyer, who originally signed overseas in the Polish Hockey League, has re-signed with the team for his fourth season. According to news sources in Poland, Boyer fell ill while in training camp and elected to return home.
Jeremy Boyer is quite possibly the perfect teammate. He's the type of player who makes the teammates around him better, and the type of steady, lunch-box type player that coaches enjoy having. He has been the rock-solid anchor on the second line for the past three years, and is effective on both the power play and the penalty kill.
Jeremy Boyer is quite possibly the perfect teammate. He's the type of player who makes the teammates around him better, and the type of steady, lunch-box type player that coaches enjoy having. He has been the rock-solid anchor on the second line for the past three years, and is effective on both the power play and the penalty kill.
Jeremy Boyer easily wins the contest for most frequent flyer miles this summer. His round trip from Lafayette to Saskatoon to Poland and back was approximately 16,500 miles. If you're wondering what 16,500 miles of air travel looks like, here is an approximation of Boyer's summer travels.
Last season, the smooth playmaker dished out 28 assists while scoring 17 goals in his most productive year in Lafayette. Coach Drew Omicioli says that Boyer "Is one of the most versatile players in the league. Throughout last season he demonstrated he was not only a top offensive threat, but also was along with Alex Hudson was one of the top defensive forwards both even strength and on the penalty kill." The re-signing of Boyer, along with Jake Hauswirth, Hudson and the now re-signed Luke Kasteel, give the IceGators four quality skaters at the center position. Look for one or more of this quartet to get significant playing time on the wing next season.