Rivermen Bolster Back End with Big Additions
August 3, 2017 - 05:45 pm
Photo Credit: Addison Blair/Peoria Rivermen
Rivermen Bolster Back End with Big Additions
Veteran blueliner Oskroba, goaltender Bacon, join Peoria’s training camp signees
Peoria, IL – The Peoria Rivermen announced Thursday that the team has signed a pair of players to professional tryout agreements for this October’s training camp, adding 6-foot-5 defenseman Ben Oskroba and 6-foot-6 goaltender Spencer Bacon to the team’s training camp roster. Oskroba and Bacon join winger Mike Gurtler and defensemen Kevin Kirisits and Kyle LeBrun on Peoria’s training camp ledger, with the Rivermen expected to open training camp in early October before October 21’s season opener.
Oskroba, 26, enters his fourth full pro season after skating in 48 games for the Rivermen last year, tallying a goal and 10 assists, adding a helper over seven postseason tilts. Oskroba first joined the Rivermen late in Peoria’s inaugural SPHL season, posting a goal and three assists in 12 games during the 2013-14 campaign. In 160 career SPHL games, all with Peoria, the St. Louis native has logged 10 goals and 38 assists, adding a +34 rating from the blueline.
“We’re glad to get (Oskroba) back on board for this season,” said Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel. “On the ice he’s a big body and a solid defenseman, and he brings a hugely positive presence in the locker room day in and day out, and he’s going to be a veteran leader for this group again this year.”
Bacon comes to the Rivermen after beginning his pro career last season with the Columbus Cottonmouths, signing with the Snakes January 5 after wrapping up a three-year stint at Mercyhurst College. All told with Columbus last season, Bacon went 6-10-1 in 18 outings, posting a 3.45 GAA and a .910 save percentage for the eighth-place Snakes. The 25-year-old added his first pro shutout February 12 at Fayetteville, and made a season-high 50 saves on 53 shots in a March 19 shootout loss at Pensacola.
Season and group tickets for Peoria’s 2017-18 home games are available now by calling the Rivermen office at (309)-676-1040. The Rivermen open the 2017-18 regular season at Evansville October 21, and commence the home portion of their schedule October 27 & 28 at Carver Arena against the expansion Birmingham Bulls.
Full season tickets for Peoria's 36th season of professional hockey presented by Midwest Orthopaedic Center are on sale at the Rivermen office in the Peoria Civic Center, located at 201 S.W. Jefferson Street, or over the phone at (309) 676-1040. For the latest Rivermen news and notes, follow online at www.rivermen.net or through Facebook (www.facebook.com/PeoriaRivermen) - Twitter(https://twitter.com/Peoria_Rivermen)
