Tag: Signing

Categories
Beast news

Brampton Beast Sign Longueuil Native Jeremie Blain

Comets pre-season game against Adirondack Flames at Kennedy Arena in Rome, NY.

Beast Acquire Blain Brother Jeremie

Comets pre-season game against Adirondack Flames at Kennedy Arena in Rome, NY.
Jeremie Blain

Brampton Beast Media Release

BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Beast, ECHL affiliate of the St. John’s IceCaps and the Montreal Canadiens, is proud to announce the acquisition of former Edmonton Oilers draft pick, defenseman Jeremie Blain.

The brother of current Beast forward Luc-Olivier Blain, the 23-year-old Longueuil, Quebec native was acquired on loan from the AHL’s Chicago Wolves on Tuesday.

Considered a solid two-way defender with offensive upside, Blain has significant experience at both the AHL and ECHL level and was highly-regarded for his capability to play the game at an elevated level on both sides of the puck.

Blain will be a great fit with the Beast as he is already familiar with his brother Luc-Olivier as well as Beast Head Coach Colin Chaulk, who spent two seasons as Kalamazoo’s Assistant Coach while Blain was under contract with the Wings.

Chaulk believes that Blain is exactly the kind of player that the Beast need to help them contend in the ECHL’s tough Eastern Conference.

“Jeremie is a player that can play in any situation on the ice, from killing a penalty to quarterbacking a 5-on-3 power play,” Chaulk said.

“Most importantly, the way he lives his life and the choices he makes when it comes to training, health and the way he treats people, that’s the exact kind of person that the Beast is looking for.”

Blain played four years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League split between the Victoriaville Tigres and Acadie-Bathurst Titan, where he amassed 16 goals and 116 assists in 211 games played between 2008-09 and 2011-12.

The 91st overall pick in the 2010 NHL entry Draft, Blain started his professional career in the 2012-13 season and split time between the AHL’s Chicago Wolves (25GP, 0G, 4A) and the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads (47GP, 7G, 24A).

Over the last two seasons, he split time with both the AHL’s Utica Comets and the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings.

Between the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, Blain played in 20 games with the Comets and recorded four assists and eight penalty minutes. He blossomed into a great two-way defenseman in Kalamazoo and suited up for 66 games, netting eight goals and chipping in with 36 assists.

The Brampton Beast start the 2015-16 season on the road but that doesn’t mean you have to miss the team’s Season Opener. The Beast are hosting a Watch Party at the Powerade Centre on Friday, October 16 starting at 6:30pm. Later in the week, head back to the Powerade Centre for Fan Fest, taking place on Sunday, October 18. Get your free tickets at BramptonBeast.com.

Categories
Beast news Ignore

Brampton Beast Add Reinforcements from St. John’s IceCaps

(Photo by Brampton Beast)

IceCaps send reinforcements, Beast get Pasquale, Brown

(Photo by Brampton Beast)
(Photo by Brampton Beast)

Brampton Beast Media Release

BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Beast, proud ECHL affiliate of the St. John’s IceCaps and Montreal Canadiens, announced Tuesday that goaltender Eddie Pasquale and defenseman Travis Brown have been reassigned from the St. John’s IceCaps to the Beast.

The duo has arrived in Brampton and will be ready to hit the ice when the Beast kick off their second season in the ECHL against the Manchester Monarchs on Friday, October 16.

Pasquale, a Toronto native, was a fan favourite in St. John’s during his tenure with the Winnipeg Jets organization between 2011-12 and 2013-14 and was an AHL standout, collecting 55 wins in 112 games played in his three seasons on the Rock.

Considered a top-notch legitimate NHL prospect, Pasquale was red hot during his rookie season in the American Hockey League. The 6’2” goaltender was named to the AHL’s All-Rookie Team and took home AHL Player of the Week honours for the week of February 12.

Pasquale has spent the majority of his career in the AHL, but did suit up for 12 games in the ECHL with the Gwinnett Gladiators in 2011-12.

The Beast’s blue line got stronger and deeper on Tuesday as defenceman Travis Brown joined Pasquale on the trip from St. John’s.

Entering his first season as a professional, Brown completed his junior hockey career in 2014-15 with an exceptional year, helping the Victoria Royals to the second round of the WHL playoffs with a stellar 18 goals and 39 assists in 71 regular season contests.

A fifth round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012, the 21-year-old rearguard is considered a potent two-way force, as evidenced by his career junior point totals (48G, 133A) split between the Royals and Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Brampton Beast start the 2015-16 season on the road but that doesn’t mean you have to miss the team’s Season Opener. The Beast are hosting a Watch Party at the Powerade Centre on Friday, October 16 starting at 6:30pm. Later in the week, head back to the Powerade Centre for Fan Fest, taking place on Sunday, October 18. Get your free tickets at BramptonBeast.com.

Categories
Beast news Ignore

Brampton Beast Roster Update: 11 Released From Camp

(Photo by Brampton Beast)

Beast release 11, Roster stands at 22 players

(Photo by Brampton Beast)
(Photo by Brampton Beast)

Brampton Beast Media Release

BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Beast, ECHL affiliate of the St. John’s IceCaps and Montreal Canadiens, announced today that the club has released eleven (11) players from its Training Camp roster, shortening the number of players remaining to 22.

The following players have been released from Training Camp:

Peter Hermenegildo

Grant Holliday

Linden Bahm

Ben MacAskill

Grant Gettinger

Jason Yee

Nick Zappia

Ben Rubin

Dean Willmott

Dorian Peca

Paul Dorsey

The players remaining in Training Camp Include:

Forwards (13)

Chris Auger

Bryan McGregor

Brandon Marino

Scott Howes

Yannick Tifu

Jamie Wise

Stephon Thorne

Cal Wild

Jeff Brown

Luc-Olivier Blain

Thomas Stajan

Steven Guzzo

Yannick Riendeau

Defense (7)

Mathew Maione

Zach McCullough

Justin DaCosta

Guy Leboeuf

Steve Tarasuk

Francis Meilleur

Christian Weidauer

Goaltenders (2)

Bryan Pitton

Trevor Cann

The Beast’s second season in the ECHL kicks off on the road for the 2015-16 campaign. The Beast will head to New Hampshire to face the Manchester Monarchs on Friday, October 16 before ending their season-opening road trip in central New York to face the Elmira Jackals on Saturday, October 17.

Categories
Beast news Ignore

ECHL’s Brampton Beast Announce 2015-16 Training Camp Roster

Beast Announce 2015-16 Training Camp Roster
CAMP ROSTER

BeastCamp2015

Brampton Beast Media Release

BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Beast Hockey Club, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens, is pleased to announce its roster for 2015-16 Training Camp.

Players will be taking to the ice starting Monday, October 5 and will practice throughout the week until camp concludes on Wednesday, October 14.

On-ice practice sessions will be taking place at the Powerade Centre at 10 a.m. daily for the duration of Training Camp. Practices are open to the media as well as Beast Season Ticket Holders. Please note that practice times and locations are subject to change.

2015-16 Training Camp Roster

Forwards

Scott Howes

Yannick Tifu

Brandon Marino

Chris Auger

Luc-Olivier Blain

Yannick Riendeau

Bryan McGregor

Nick Zappia

Jamie Wise

Stephon Thorne

Thomas Stajan

Bryan Cameron

Linden Bahm

Benjamin Rubin

Steven Guzzo

Dorian Peca

Grant Holliday

Defense

Guy Leboeuf

Francis Meilleur

Dean Willmott

Steve Tarasuk

Christian Weidauer

Grant Gettinger

Jason Yee

Ben MacAskill

Peter Hermenegildo

Zach McCullough

Danick Malouin

Goaltenders

Trevor Cann

Bryan Pitton

Paul Dorsey

Beast Contracted Players Attending AHL Training Camps

Mathew Maione – D

Justin DaCosta – D

Cal Wild – F

Jeff Brown – F

The Beast’s second season in the ECHL kicks off on the road for the 2015-16 campaign. The Beast will head to New Hampshire to face the Manchester Monarchs on Friday, October 16 before ending their season-opening road trip in central New York to face the Elmira Jackals on Saturday, October 17.

Categories
Beast news Ignore

Brampton Beast Sign Former QMJHL Forward Yannick Riendeau

Beast Sign CHL Scoring Champion Yannick Riendeau

640x1000-Riendeau

Brampton Beast Media Release

BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Beast are pleased to announce the signing of CHL scoring champion Yannick Riendeau.

Riendeau had a stellar junior career averaging almost a point per game in his years in the QMJHL. His most outstanding year was in 2009, where the Quebec native led the Canadian Hockey League in points (178 pts in 83 games). That year Riendeau outscored John Tavares of the New York Islanders. The forward sensation had 126 points (64 g 58 a) in 64 games during the regular season was the playoff MVP with 52 points (29 g 23 a) in 19 games tying Mario Lemieux for the second most goals in Canadian Hockey League playoff history.

“Yannick will be one of the most skilled players the Brampton Beast fans will have ever seen,” said Beast Head Coach Colin Chaulk. “He’s a proven offensive producer who will provide depth to our attack.”

Riendeau had his first professional start with the Providence Bruins of the AHL and signed a three-year contract. From 2009-2012, the 5’10 185lbs winger suffered from numerous injuries while with the Bruins and spent some time with the Reading Royals of the ECHL where he met recent Beast signee and childhood teammate Yannick Tifu. After his season with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL in 2012-13, Riendeau headed to France where he played a full season finishing with 33 points in 25 games. Riendeau returns to the ECHL where had a 137 total career points in 145 games.

“I’m excited to join the Brampton Beast organization and I have heard nothing but good things,” said the Beast forward. “I’m a natural offensive player with good stick handling and can be a great contributor. I’m good offensively but I know that to win a championship you have to also be defensive.”

Categories
Beast news Ignore

Brampton Beast Sign Defencemen Justin DaCosta, Dean Willmott

Justin DaCosta

Beast Bolster Blue Line

Justin DaCosta
Justin DaCosta

Brampton Beast Media Release

BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Beast is pleased to announce the signing of the two new additions to the team’s blue line, Mississauga native and international veteran Justin DaCosta and Ryerson Rams alumni Dean Willmott. The duo will join Mathew Maione, Guy Leboeuf and Francis Meilleur as the core of the Beast’s defensive unit.

DaCosta spent his 2014-15 season in Europe and split time between the Elite Ice Hockey League’s (EIHL) Coventry Blaze and the Polish Hockey League’s KH Sanok, where he was teammates with new Beast goaltender Bryan Pitton.

He enjoyed a great season overseas but when presented with the opportunity to return to North America to play for the Beast, his answer was a simple one.

“When I first found out there was a team in Brampton, I always thought it would be a great place to play,” DaCosta said. “I was born in Toronto and I live in Mississauga now and (playing near my hometown) has always been something that I wanted to do. I’m excited about the team that Coach Chaulk is building. He’s bringing in a lot of great players.”

The 30-year-old played in 212 Ontario Hockey League games between 2002 and 2006 for the Barrie Colts, Owen Sound Attack and Mississauga IceDogs before moving on to a successful university career with the University of New Brunswick.

He kicked off his professional career during the 2009-10 Central Hockey League playoffs, suiting up for 10 contests with the Colorado Eagles.

Over the next five seasons, he collected quite a few stamps on his passport as his professional career took him all over the globe, including stops in the United States, France, Austria, Hungary, Finland and the United Kingdom.

Beast Head Coach Colin Chaulk believes DaCosta’s vast international experience will make him an asset on the Beast blue line.

“Justin is a puck-moving power play defense man who will fit in well with our possession style of play,” he said. “His veteran presence will bring valuable experience and leadership to our defense.”

Willmott, 25, is no stranger to Beast fans, having played his rookie season with Brampton in 2014-15. He suited up for 21 contests, scoring one goal and chipping in with two assists and 16 penalty minutes and is excited to remain a member of the Beast for the 2015-16 season.

“It feels great to be back,” Willmott said. “To be able to be able to play in front of my family and friends and stay close to home is important to me. Brampton has a great hockey culture and there have been a lot of great teams that have played in the city. It’s great to be able to come back and play again at the Powerade Centre with the Beast.”

Willmott scored his first goal as a professional at the Powerade Centre in Brampton on March 27, 2015 and earned First Star honours in a 6-3 loss to the Rapid City Rush.

Beast President and General Manager Cary Kaplan liked what he saw from Willmott from last season and is looking forward to seeing what he is capable of in his second pro season with the Beast.

“We really respect Dean’s resolve,” Kaplan said. “After being on the Beast last year, he was required to re-up and tryout again with the team. Many players would have walked away, but Dean stepped up and earned another opportunity with the team. We respect his commitment.”

Hailing from Toronto, Willmott has been playing in his home province of Ontario for his entire junior and professional career. He spent three seasons in the Ontario Junior A Hockey League between 2008 and 2011, including two with the Seguin Bruins and one with the Huntsville Otters.

Willmott then went the university route and spent his entire four-year OUAA career with the Ryerson University Rams and played in 103 games and earned himself eight goals and 17 assists.

Categories
Multimedia

Brampton Beast Host Fan Event [Gallery]

(Photo by Brampton Beast)

By Rabita, Photographer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

(Photo by Brampton Beast)
(Photo by Brampton Beast)

BRAMPTON, ON. — On Wednesday, the Brampton Beast, the ECHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, held a fan event to kick off the 2015-16 season.

First, season ticket holders were invited to paint the lines on the ice at the Powerade Centre. Then Beast fans gathered at the Real Stars Bar and Grill, just inside the Powerade Centre, to witness the announcement of the Beast’s latest player signing.

The Beast signed former Brampton Battalion (OHL) goaltender Bryan Pitton. Read the full announcement here.

Beast GM Cary Kaplan said, “A team can only go as far as its goaltending will take them. From his days leading the Brampton Battalion, to his recent dominance in Allen leading the Americans to the CHL Championship in 2014, Bryan is a proven leader and stellar goaltender.”

Habs fans will watch with interest to see which prospects in the Canadiens system, including a goaltender, will be sent to Brampton.

Bryan Pitton (Photo by Rabita Navqi | Rocket Sports Media)
Bryan Pitton (Photo by Rabita Naqvi | Rocket Sports Media)

 

Additional photos from the Brampton Beast goalie signing event (all photos by Rabita Naqvi | Rocket Sports Media):

Categories
Beast news

Brampton Beast Sign Goaltender Bryan Pitton

Bryan Pitton (Photo by Brampton Beast)

Beast Sign 2013-14 CHL Champion and Former Brampton Battalion Goalie Bryan Pitton

Bryan Pitton (Photo by Brampton Beast)
Bryan Pitton (Photo by Brampton Beast)

Brampton Beast Media Release

BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Beast is proud to announce the signing of Central Hockey League Champion and former Brampton Battalion goaltender Bryan Pitton.

The 6’3” goaltender was selected in the 5th round by the Edmonton Oilers during the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Bryan is the brother of Jason Pitton, who is currently the franchise’s points leader (100 points in 136 GP) and finished last season with 22 goals.

Bryan is no stranger to playing in Brampton. He spent his entire his OHL career with the Brampton Battalion and played a total of 124 games for the club between 2005-06 and 2007-08 and is looking forward to returning home to the Flower City.

“Excitement comes to mind,” Pitton said of the opportunity to play in Brampton. “It’s been eight or nine years since I’ve been back home. Just the idea of being close to family and friends and to get to play where I spent three special years of my life is exciting.”

Last season, Pitton was a rock between the pipes for KH Sanok in the Polish Hockey League and compiled a 1.97 goals against average and a league-best .934 save percentage in 44 games.

Beast President and General Manager Cary Kaplan believes Pitton’s vast experience makes him a valuable asset to the Beast for the 2015-16 season.

“Signing Bryan Pitton is very substantial for the Beast,” said Kaplan. “A team can only go as far as its goaltending will take them. From his days leading the Brampton Battalion, to his recent dominance in Allen leading the Americans to the CHL Championship in 2014, Bryan is a proven leader and stellar goaltender”.

Prior to Pitton’s time in Poland, he spent the 2013-14 season in the now-defunct Central Hockey League and helped the Allen Americans to a league championship. He had great season with a 2.75 goals-against-average and .916 save percentage in 43 regular season contests. Pitton was near-unbeatable during the CHL playoffs and posted a 2.20 goals-against-average and .931 save percentage in 17 games.

“It is also appropriate at this time to thank Bryan’s brother Jason Pitton for his significant contributions to the franchise in our first two seasons,” said the Beast president and general manager. “Jason was one of the original ambassadors of the Beast and made a big impact both on and off the ice.”

Bryan made his professional debut with the AHL’s Springfield Falcons at the end of the 2007-08 season and has suited up for 17 AHL contests between the Falcons and Oklahoma City Barons.

His transition back to North American hockey should be an easy one, as he already has 127 games of ECHL experience under his belt from stints with the Stockton Thunder and Bakersfield Condors between 2008-09 and 2011-12.

Pitton headed overseas following the 2011-12 hockey season and landed with the Fife Flyers in the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom, where he posted the busiest season of his professional career and suited up for 52 games and recorded a 2.89 goals against average to compliment his .907 save percentage.

Pitton’s success has made him a hot commodity over the last two seasons and Beast Head Coach Colin Chaulk is excited to see what the 27-year-old will bring to the team.

“Bryan is an elite goalie who has led Allen to the CHL championship,” said Chaulk. “He gives our team a chance to win every night and has the ability to give his teammates a calm confidence. His compete and maturity is immeasurable in our league.”

Categories
Beast news

Brampton Beast Sign Longueuil Native Luc-Olivier Blain

Luc Blain

Beast Agree to Terms with Former CIS Rookie of the Year

Luc Blain
Luc Blain

Brampton Beast Media Release

BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Beast are proud to announce the signing of forward Luc Blain. Blain returns to Canada after spending the past two seasons with Anglet in the France2 league where he served as alternate captain in his last year and led the league in scoring with 47 points (17G, 30A) in 24 games.

“Luc is a solid two-way centreman who makes plays and provides offense,” said Beast Head Coach Colin Chaulk. “I expect Luc to earn important minutes for the Beast this season.”

Prior to his professional career, the 6’3, 200 pound centreman played three years in the CIS at the University of Ottawa. Blain had an outstanding rookie year, scoring four goals in his second game of the season and was named CIS athlete of the week his first week playing with the team. Blain recorded 52 points (16G, 36A) and broke the record for rookie with the most points in the CIS. The centreman also finished second in Canada in scoring and was named Rookie of the Year.

Following a successful season, Blain was approached by numerous ECHL teams to attend tryouts but decided to attain his communications degree instead. The 26-year-old went on to be assistant captain in his second year and was named captain of the team in his third season.

“The team that Chaulk is putting together looks promising this year,” said the Quebec native. “I’m a two-way center and good with face-offs. After spending some time in Europe, I’m excited to be back in Canada playing North American style hockey again. I’m eager to get the season going and to meet the team and the Beast fans.”

During the off-season, Blain trains on and off the ice with his brother Jeremie along with other AHL and NHL players at a gym in Montreal. Jeremie was a fourth round Edmonton Oilers Draft Pick in 2010 and played with the Kalamazoo K-Wings of the ECHL last season where Chaulk served as assistant coach of Kalamazoo at the time.

Categories
Beast news Ignore

Brampton Beast Re-Sign Defenceman Mathew Maione

Fan Favourite Maione Returns to the Beast

Maione

Brampton Beast Media Release

BRAMPTON, ON — The Brampton Beast are excited to announce the re-signing of 24-year-old defenseman and last season’s Rookie and Fan Favourite Player of the Year Mathew Maione.

Maione notched 43 points (14 goals and 29 assists) in 69 games for Brampton, leading all ECHL rookie blueliners in scoring and coming in 10th overall in scoring among ECHL defensemen.

“Mathew had a true breakout season last year,” said team President and General Manager Cary Kaplan. “He was consistently our best defenseman and often our best player. Known for his breakaway speed and great on-ice instincts, I feel the Beast faithful will be really excited about this signing. We are looking forward to Mathew being a big part of what is shaping up to be a powerful roster in Brampton this season.”

Despite several offers to play in Europe in the fall, Maione chose to remain in the GTA and continue his professional career with the Beast for the upcoming year. The close proximity to home has allowed the offensive-minded defender to once again train with renowned fitness guru and feared NHL forward Gary Roberts at St. Andrew’s College during the offseason.

“I love working out with Gary, he’s an awesome guy who is extremely competitive and I feel like I’m in great shape coming into this season,” said Maione. “Truthfully I just want to get started. I’m excited about the team Chaulk is putting together, and to play for a guy who was a captain for ten years in Fort Wayne where he won five championships is going to make us a really tough team to play against.”

Maione suited up for four seasons of CIS hockey with the University of Prince Edward Island before beginning his professional debut with the Fort Wayne Koments in the spring of 2014. During his university hockey career, Maione tallied 65 points (9 goals, 56 assists) in 112 games to go along with 102 penalty minutes and a +24 rating.

“Maione is a smooth skating, puck-moving defenseman who has a natural confidence and poise with the puck,” said Head Coach Colin Chaulk. “Given his ability and skill on the ice we expect him to be able to contribute both offensively and defensively for the Beast.”

In 2013 Maione represented both the University of PEI and Atlantic University Sports in the International University Sports Federation Games in Italy, where the young blueliner scored the game-winning goal for Team Canada in the tournament final to defeat Kazakhstan and bring home the gold medal.