Rivermen Add Patterson to Blueline Corps Tuesday

November 6, 2018 - 04:30 pm

Photo Credit: Dennis Sievers/Peoria Rivermen

Rivermen Add Patterson to Blueline Corps Tuesday

First-year pro Austin Frank waived to clear roster space

 

Peoria, IL – The Peoria Rivermen announced today that the team has signed defenseman Kevin Patterson to a contract. In an additional move, the team has waived rookie defenseman Austin Frank.

 

Patterson, 25, began last season with the Rivermen, logging 12 assists in 27 games before earning a loan to ECHL Wichita January 17. Patterson finished his first pro season with the Thunder, skating in 19 ECHL games, notching his first pro goal and adding six assists. The Colorado Springs, CO native began this season on Wichita’s season-opening roster but did not see any game action.

 

“Patty was rock solid while he was here last season, and he really stabilized our defense on and off the ice while he was in Peoria,” said Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel. “He’s a terrific player who leads by example, he’s always putting in extra work on and off the ice and pushing his teammates to be better around him.”

 

Frank, meanwhile, departs the Rivermen after beginning his first pro season with Peoria, skating in four games, recording three assists. The Lawrence University product joined the Rivermen late in training camp after spending time with Pensacola and Knoxville earlier in camp.

 

The Rivermen return to action this Friday and Saturday when they take on the Fayetteville Marksmen at Carver Arena, with both games set to begin at 7:15 PM. Saturday is Peoria’s annual Military Appreciation Night, presented by the Illinois Air National Guard. The Rivermen are offering all military service members, past and present, a free ticket to the game with a valid ID. The game is also CityLink Peoria’s annual Stuff-A-Bus food drive collection game, with the first 1,000 fans bringing a nonperishable food item receiving a free Rivermen T-shirt. Finally, Saturday is Peoria’s first Chicago Blackhawks Night of the season, with the Blackhawks Ice Girls in attendance. Tickets for both weekend games are available by calling the Rivermen at (309)-676-1040 or by going to the Rivermen office at the Peoria Civic Center.

 

Single-game, group and season tickets for Peoria's 37th season of professional hockey presented by Midwest Orthopaedic Center are on sale at the Toyota Box Office in the Peoria Civic Center, or by phone at the Rivermen office, 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)