In a few weeks, the Jacksonville Icemen have signed three valuable players for the upcoming inaugural season. While all three players are vastly talented, each one brings a special element to the ice. Find out what to expect this season from the newest additions to the franchise.
Leadership
Forward Garet Hunt has played in nine ECHL seasons during his professional hockey career. He spent seven years with the Stockton Thunder, including three seasons as the team’s captain. Hunt was named an alternate captain in his first season with the Alaska Aces in 2015. The next year, he was honored as the team’s captain in the franchise’s last year of existence. Hunt’s leadership and experience will be relied upon greatly on the ice and in the locker room as the team continues to form.
Energy
At 24 years of age, Emerson Clark is currently the youngest player on the roster. His youthful energy allows him the ability to change the momentum of the game in various ways. For one, his speed and skill can wear down opponents, especially late in the game. Also, the left winger, like his new teammate Garet Hunt, isn’t afraid to drop the gloves. Teams across the league will struggle to contain the Ontario native.
Stability
The Icemen landed a quality two-way defenseman in Mike Ratchuk. Not only is Ratchuk a reliable blue liner, he’s also a point producer. In his five seasons in the ECHL, Ratchuk has scored 35 times and is just shy of the century mark in assists with 96 total. Having a quality player control the point in the offensive zone will make the Icemen a dangerous team come October.
Don’t miss out on seeing Hunt, Clark, Ratchuk and the rest of the Jacksonville Icemen as the team kicks off its inaugural season on Saturday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. against the Orlando Solar Bears. To find out more information, please call (904) 602-7825 or click HERE.
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