Komets Sign Former Vernon Viper Marino:

The ECHL Fort Wayne Komets have signed former Vernon Vipers forward, Brandon Marino.  Marino spent the last three seasons with the CHL Quad City Mallards.  Marino played just two games with the 2002-2003 Vernon Vipers was named the 2011-12 Central Hockey League Most Valuable Player, as well as took home MVP at last year's CHL all-star game.  Marino had a breakout season during which he led the league with 41 goals and finished second with 90 points. The 5’ 9”, 185-pound Riverside, California native also led the league in power play goals (13), ranked fourth in assists (49) and finished tied for fourth in shorthanded goals (3) and game winning goals (7) while also posting a plus/minus rating of +9.

Brandon Marino's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=93732

This is posted on the Komets website:

Komets snag MVP Marino

07/17/2012

Fort Wayne, IN --  The Komets announced Tuesday that they have bolstered the offense and defense of the 2012-13 preseason roster with the additions of last year's CHL MVP Brandon Marino and veteran defenseman Tyler Butler.

Marino, 26, will be joining his teammate of the past two seasons in Quad City, Eric Giosa, as a member of the reigning 2012 CHL Champion Fort Wayne Komets when the puck drops in October.  Marino, the 2012 CHL All-Star Game MVP, led the CHL in 2011-12 with a career best 41 goals in 65 games and capped the year as league MVP.  The right winger led the Mallards with career highs of 49 assists and 90 points and led Quad City's special teams with 13 power play goals and 22 power play assists.  The Riverside, California native will be entering his fourth career year since his pro debut with Quad City in 2009 and becomes the first player to join the Komets after scoring 40 or more goals in a season since 2004-05 when Chris Grenville (RW) signed with the Komets after netting 45 goals the previous season with Laredo in the CHL.

Butler, 32, skated the past two seasons with Arizona of the CHL.  Butler served as Sundogs' captain last year while leading Arizona defensemen with 10 goals, 29 assists, 39 points and 111 penalty minutes appearing in all 66 games.  The Kanata, Ontario native has skated seven of nine pro seasons in the CHL.  Butler played two AHL games with Peoria during 2005-06 while a member of the UHL's Missouri River Otters.   

The addition of Marino and Butler brings the Komet preseason roster to eight players including five forwards and three defensemen.  Previously added were Colin Chaulk (C), Brett Smith (C), Eric Giosa (C), Kaleigh Schrock (RW), Kyle Atkins (D) and Daniel Maggio (D).

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