JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville Icemen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack announced today that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Jacob Friend for the 2021-22 season.
Friend, 24, returns to the Icemen after recording eights points (1g, 7a) with 101 penalty minutes in 44 games during his rookie campaign last season. Friend quickly established himself as one the most physical defenders in the league with this gritty and often rugged play.
"I am very happy and excited to be able to come back to Jacksonville for another year," said Friend. "The fans and the city make for an amazing place to play and a fantastic atmosphere. I was fortunate to have a smooth transition into my first year pro and the organization and the city of Jacksonville helped me with that move. I know my second year will be just as good, if not better. I know the fans are itching to have us back again, and with all of the exciting plans the organization has for the upcoming season, we can't wait to get going."
Prior to joining the Icemen, Friend logged 14 points (3g, 11a) with 136 penalty minutes in 53 games played at St. Mary’s University (USports) from 2018-2020. The 6-2, 205-pound blueliner totaled 63 points (9g, 54a) along with 266 penalty minutes in 166 appearances with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 2015-2018. The Bowmanville, Ontario resident captained Owen Sound during the 2017-18 season.
Friend joins forward Ara Nazarian has players who have agreed to terms with the Icemen for the 2021-22 season. --The Icemen’s home opener for their 2021-2022 All-Star Season is set for November 6 against the South Carolina Stingrays. Full and partial season packages that include tickets to the 2022 ECHL All-Star Classic are currently available. Contact the Icemen office at 904-602-7825, or visit www.jacksonvilleicemen.com for more information.
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