"Having Chris back with us for a third year is a significant piece of next season's puzzle that I'm pleased to have in place," said Head Coach and General Manager Marco Pietroniro. "His experience, talent and leadership are all aspects in which we look to build our team upon. Chris played an invaluable role in our 2008 championship season and we're going to call on him yet again to do the same. I'm confident he'll do so."

Bartolone, 38, has averaged nearly a point-per-game in his first two seasons with the Sundogs, tallying 126 points (31g/95a) and 148 penalty minutes (PIM) in 128 regular season games. In 28 playoff contests, the Clinton Township, Michigan, native surpassed a point-per-game average, registering 31 points (7g/21a) and 28 PIM.

During the 2007-08 campaign, Bartolone finished tied-for-second in scoring among CHL defensemen with 60 points (18g/42a) in 64 appearances and his 18 tallies set a career-high in goals as a professional. The 16-year pro helped guide the Sundogs to their first-ever CHL title during the 2008 playoffs, finishing first among defensemen in scoring and fourth overall with 19 points (5g/14a) in 17 games.

During the Sundogs inaugural season, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound blue-liner also finished second among defensemen in scoring and set career-highs in both points (66) and assists (53).

In 982 total professional games to date, Bartolone has totaled 249 goals and 559 assists for 808 points and 968 PIM.