Rockford, IL - Rockford IceHogs
General Manager of Minor League Affiliates Mark Bernard announced on
Tuesday that the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League has
signed forward Mike Radja and defenseman Brennan Turner to AHL
contracts for the 2008-09 season. Radja and Turner become the first
players to officially join the IceHogs for the 2008-09 season.
Radja,
23, enters his first full professional season in '08-09. The Yorkville,
Ill. native is coming of an All-American campaign at the University of
New Hampshire were he racked up 19g-24a-43pts in 36 games with the
Wildcats. Following his senior season, Radja made his professional and
AHL debut with the Syracuse Crunch playing in two games and chipping in
three assists. Radja was also named First Team All-Hockey East in
2007-08.
"We're thrilled to have Mike Radja under contract for
the upcoming season," said Bernard. "We're excited to see him in
training camp this fall and we're expecting him to make a smooth
transition into the professional game after a very successful
collegiate career."
After netting a combined 16 goals between his
freshman and sophomore seasons at UNH, Radja developed into an
offensive force in the college ranks. Radja potted 19 goals during both
his junior and senior seasons and finished his collegiate career with
117 points in 149 games.
Like Radja, Turner got a taste of the
professional game last season following his college campaign. Turner
skated three seasons at Yale University before turning pro last spring.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba native made his professional debut with Rockford
on March 22 and appeared in four total regular season games with
Rockford.
We were fortunate to see Brennan at the end of last
season after he concluded his collegiate career at Yale," said Bernard.
"He showcased himself very well and we're looking forward to having him
back for his first full professional season."
The 21-year old
defenseman played in 58 overall games with the Bulldogs during his
three seasons out east. Turner was the Blackhawks Fifth Round selection
(#134 overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.