Comets Sign Ex Viper Forward Marino:

The American Hockey League (AHL) Uitca Comets have signed former Vernon Vipers forward Brandon Marino.

This is Marino's second stint with the Comets this year. Marino started the season with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Brampton Beast, picked up (13-goals-28-assists-41-points) in 40 games before signing a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO) with the Comets January 12th 2016. Marino was released February 10th 2016 after scoring once in eight games with Utica. Marino will join former Vipers Kellen Jones (2006-2010) & Michael Zalewski (2010-2012) who are also with the Comets.

Marino spent last season with the Austrian Erste Bank Hockey League (AEBHL) SAPA Fehérvár AV19.  SAPA Fehérvár AV19, is a Hungarian ice hockey team. After four years with Bemidji State University Marino spent the next five seasons playing in four different leagues (IHL, CHL, ECHL & AHL) with three different teams (Quad City, Fort Wayne & Norfolk) before playing in Hungary last season.

Marino played just two games with the 2002-2003 Vernon Vipers.

Brandon Marino's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=39227

This is posted on the Comets website:

Comets Sign Brandon Marino to PTO

Feb 26, 2016

Utica Comets Director of Hockey Operations Pat Conacher announced today that the club has signed forward Brandon Marino to a professional tryout contract (PTO).

Marino, 29, scored once and picked up four penalty minutes in eight games for the Comets earlier this season. He has also recorded 41 points (13-28-41) in 40 games for the Brampton Beast of the ECHL this season.

Last year, the Riverside, CA native played in 50 games in Austria for the Szekeshfehervar Alba Volan Hockey Club, where he scored 11 goals and added 28 assists. With the Fort Wayne Komets in 2013-14, he paced the league with 58 assists, and won the league scoring title with 88 points (30-58-88).

During the 2010-11 season with the Quad City Mallards of the CHL, he scored a league high 41 goals, and 13 power-play goals, en route to league MVP honors.