"The signing of Turner will help to solidify our blueline," Drulia said. "He is an offensive-minded defenseman that can play in any situation and moves the puck with poise and speed."

Turner (6-1, 190 lbs) comes to the Icehawks with four seasons of experience in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). He played with the Phoenix Roadrunners last season and led the team in points among defenseman with seven goals and 25 assists in 70 games. He also recorded 100 penalty minutes.

The 26-year old Belleville, Ontario native turned professional in the 2002-03 season with the ECHL Richmond Renegades. He then played two seasons with the ECHL Reading Royals and helped the team to back-to-back playoff appearances, including a division championship. He next joined the roster of the Saint John Scorpions in the 2005-06 season and led the team to a championship in the now defunct Canadian Elite Hockey League.

Turner has played in 270 regular season games and tallied 98 points (24g, 74a) in his professional career. Under league rules, he is 30 games shy of veteran status.

"I'm extremely excited to be coming to Port Huron this upcoming season. It is the perfect fit for my situation," Turner said. "My girlfriend is a teacher and has found a job in Sarnia, so we both get to do what we love."

In the 2006-07 season, the defenseman played at St. Thomas University (Fredericton, New Brunswick, CA) and led the team in scoring among blue-liners with 21 points in 26 games and in the plus/minus category with a +17 rating. At St. Thomas he also skated with childhood friend and recently signed Icehawks center Jeff Bateman. The pair will be reunited this season.

"Being able to play with Jeff (Bateman) again is an opportunity that not many people get to experience," Turner said. "We have known each other since we were born. We lived on the same street, went to the same Kindergarten class and played hockey together until we both went to different OHL teams."