League title by signing
talented players. The Ice Bears organization recently signed a pair of
rookie defensemen that will assist returning players such as Kevin
Harris.
At 6'0 185 lbs., Sean Cryer, a 24-year-old from
Brampton, Ontario, Canada, earned a number of awards and
accomplishments while playing NCAA Division III hockey at West Neumann
College, which is in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
From 2004 to 2008 Cryer was a member of the ECAC West All-Academic
Team. In the 2006-2007 season he was named a member of the Milwaukee
School of Engineering All-Tournament Team. From 2007 to 2008 he
received St. Mike's Holiday Hockey Tournament Most Points by a
Defenseman honor.
While playing for the Neumann College
Knights for four years, Cryer played in a total of 158 games, had ten
goals, 64 assists and 74 points.
"As a team we are
looking to be a more mobile group than last year. We are looking for
Sean to be an immediate impact player in the SPHL. He skates and moves
the puck very well. With maturity and experience at the professional
level we believe Sean will develop into a Kevin Harris type of player.
He has a very good offensive upside and we will work very hard to help
Sean continue to improve his play in the defensive end of the ice,"
said head coach Scott Hillman.
Dana Thibault, 23, from
South Burlington, Vermont, is also bringing a number of achievements
and much experience with him for the upcoming Ice Bears season.
Before
attending ECAC East Division III Norwich University, the 5'9, 182 lb.
Thibault played in the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) with the
Green Mountain Glades from 2002 to 2004. There he played a total of 122
games, scored 23 goals, had 76 assists, and accumulated 99 points.
While at Norwich University, Thibault had 77 games played, three goals,
30 assists, and 33 points.
During his freshman year he
was named the ECAC Rookie of the Week and led all freshmen defense in
scoring. He was named ECAC defensive player of the week his sophomore
year. During his junior year, Thibault and his teammates were ECAC
Champions and NCAA Quarter-finalists. Senior year he was a member of
the Primelink Shootout All-Tournament Team.
"Dana comes
from a very successful Division III program and his experience and
success at that level will help him as he makes his transition to the
SPHL. He has received great coaching and developed into a very steady
defenseman who will compete every shift. As a Junior hockey player he
was able to put up very strong offensive numbers and we look for him to
add another offensive element to our blue line," Hillman commented.