The American Hockey League (AHL) Bridgeport Sound Tigers have signed former Vernon Vipers defenceman Luke Juha & former Vernon Vipers forward Kellen Jones.The Sound Tigers signed Juha March 24th 2016 to a Amateur Tryout contract after spending the previous four years at Penn State University. Last year Juha was up for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, was also one of nine Canadian Junior Hockey League alumni who were selected out of the twenty candidates for the 2015-16 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate hockey.
Juha played one season in Vernon (2011-12). Juha played in just ten games picking up two assists, missed most of the season due to two long term injuries. The Vipers acquired Juha from the OJHL Burlington Cougars on June 27th 2011 for future considerations.
Luke Juha's Player Profile:
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=75054
Jones started last season with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Missouri Mavericks after signing on September 24th 2015. Jones landed a try out with the American Hockey League (AHL) Bridgeport Sound Tigers (September 30th 2015) was released before being sent back to Missouri. Jones was loaned to the American Hockey League Bakersfield Condors before returning to the Mavericks February 17th 2016. Jones would finish the remainder of the season in the American Hockey League after signing with the Uitca Comets March 3 2016. The Comets released Jones April 28th 2016, In 21 games with the Comets Jones picked up (3-goals-2-assists-5-points). On June 13th 2016 the Missouri Mavericks traded Jones to the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
Kellen will be reunited with his twin brother Connor who is entering his second season with the Sound Tigers. The Jones Twins played together in Vernon and their first pro-season together (2014-15) with two different teams in two different leagues. Connor & Kellen started with the American Hockey League (AHL) Oklahoma City Barons also spent time with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Bakersfield Condors.
Kellen Jones played four years in Vernon (2006-2010) playing in 154 regular season games with the Vipers collecting (39-goals-134-assists-173-points). Jones is also the all-time franchise assists leader (regular season & playoffs) with 150. Jones was drafted in Round 7 of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft #202 overall by the Edmonton Oilers.
Kellen Jones Player Profile:
This is posted on the Sound Tigers website:
BRIDGEPORT SIGNS FOUR
Courtesy: SoundTigers.com
Release: 07/05/2016
Bridgeport, Conn. (July 5, 2016) – The Bridgeport Sound Tigers announced today that forwards Kellen Jones, Josh Winquist and Aaron Berisha, as well as defenseman Luke Juha have agreed to terms on one-year American Hockey League contracts.
Jones, 25, split his 2015-16 campaign with the Bakersfield Condors and Utica Comets of the AHL and the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL. In the AHL, Jones had a combined eight points (four goals, four assists) in 33 games and played in four post-season games. The Montrose, BC native scored 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) in 23 games with the Mavericks. In two seasons as a pro, Jones has 24 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 87 games in the AHL and 50 points (13 goals, 37 assists) in 50 games in the ECHL. Prior to turning pro, Jones played four seasons at Quinnipiac University, where he was an alternate captain his junior and senior seasons. He scored 127 points (53 goals, 74 assists) in 157 career games with the Bobcats. During his junior season, Jones recorded five points (two goals, three assists) in the NCAA tournament where the Bobcats fell in the National Championship to Yale. Jones was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round (202nd overall) of the 2010 NHL draft. Kellen is the twin brother of Bridgeport forward Connor Jones.
Winquist, 22, set career-highs in assists (22) and points (30) with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL last season. During his two seasons as a professional, Winquist has collected 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists) in 81 games between the Condors and the Edmonton Oilers former AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons. Prior to turning pro, the St. Albert, AB native played five seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Everett Silvertips, where he posted 216 points (101 goals, 115 assists) in 301 career games.
Berisha, 21, posted a career-high in goals (45) assists (27) and points (72) during his second season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. The Knights alternate captain ranked second on the team in goals. The Toronto, ON native added 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 18 playoffs games en route to helping London win their second Memorial Cup Championship in franchise history. Berisha finished his four-year OHL career with 158 points (92 goals, 66 assists) in 255 games with the Knights and Belleville Bulls.
Juha, 23, posted career-highs in goals (8), assists (16) and points (24) in 33 games during his senior season at Penn State University. The Nittany Lions alternate captain paced all blueliners in points (24) this season. During his four seasons at PSU, Juha scored 60 points (15 goals, 45 assists) in 103 career games. The Mississauga, ON native earned both team MVP and top defenseman during his senior campaign at Penn State. Juha was named to the 2015-16 Academic All-Big Ten Team.
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