Columbus, GA - The Columbus Cottonmouths welcome back two key components of their defensive unit from last season, Andrew Dwyer and Tyler Johnson. The 2008-09 season will be Dwyer's third season as a Snake, and Johnson's second.
Dwyer came to the Snakes in 2006 after starting the season with the Memphis Riverkings of the CHL. After two games in Memphis, he came to Columbus where he picked up 23 points in 52 games in his rookie season. Last season, he was the lone returning defenseman for the Snakes, contributing 17 points in 43 games. Prior to joining the Snakes for his professional career, Dwyer played four seasons at Western Michigan University.
"I believe Andrew Dwyer had an average year, and I am going to expect a lot more out of him," head coach Jerome Bechard said. "He has so much potential and showed that in the playoffs, having played through an injury. If he can expand on that, he will be one of the best in the league."
Johnson joined the Snakes last year for his rookie season, collecting eight points in 51 games. Prior to coming to Columbus, he last played in 2005-06 with the Woodstock Subway Slammers of the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League. There, he registered eight points in 15 games.
"Johnson had a great first season, especially having not played the year prior to that," Bechard said. "He can be a physical presence, and I'm going to want to see more of that from him this year. Like Dwyer, he finished the season with an injury (broken ribs). He will be that much better this year."
