JACKSONVILLE (FloridaSportsWire) – The Jacksonville Icemen, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Ara Nazarian for the 2022-23 season.
Nazarian, 26, returns for a third season in Jacksonville where he posted 31 points (13g, 17a) in 40 games last season. In addition, Nazarian also earned a lengthy call-up with the AHL’s Rochester Americans and recorded three points (1g, 2a) in 14 appearances, while scoring a goal in his AHL debut on Dec. 29, 2021 against the Providence Bruins.
Nazarian led the Icemen in scoring during the 2020-21 season with a balanced 51 points (25g, 26a). Nazarian was acquired via trade by the Icemen in the summer of 2020 from the Adirondack Thunder, where he played one season logging 32 points in 2019-2020.
Prior to his professional career, the 5-9, 185-pound forward posted 74 points (33g, 41a) during four collegiate seasons at the University of New Hampshire from 2015-2019.
The Icemen open the 2022-2023 season at home on October 22 against the Orlando Solar Bears.
Around the League
Fornaris, Kobryn Rejoin Gladiators: The Atlanta Gladiators announced on Monday that the team has re-signed forwards Carlos Fornaris and Tyler Kobryn for the 2022-23 season. Fornaris and Kobyrn are the 16th and 17th players to sign with Atlanta for the upcoming campaign.
Fornaris, 27, registered five points (3G-2A) in 28 games with Atlanta last season. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound forward originally signed a Professional Tryout deal with the Glads prior to the start of the 2021-22 campaign and then inked a Standard Player Contract with the team on Oct. 19.
Fornaris spent five games with the Worchester Railers after an eight-game stint in the Southern Professional Hockey League with the Fayetteville Marksmen in which he tabbed 12 points (4G-8A). The Miami, Fla. native was traded back to the Gladiators in exchange for future considerations on Dec. 13.
Kobyrn, 25, appeared in 33 games and notched nine points (3G-6A) with the Gladiators last season before getting traded to the Kalamazoo Wings on Jan. 19. With Kalamazoo, The 6-foot-3, 225-pound forward posted two points (1G-1A) through 16 contests.
Solar Bears Sign Lewandowski: The Orlando Solar Bears announced the club has agreed to terms with forward Mitchell Lewandowski on an ECHL Standard Player Contract for the 2022-23 season. Lewandowski, 24, made his pro debut this past season with the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League, where he recorded three points (2g-1a) in 14 games.
Other Notes: The South Carolina Stingrays announced today that the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues will host three days of practices at the North Charleston Coliseum as they gear up for the 2022-23 NHL season. The practices will be held from Monday, October 10 through Wednesday, October 12 with Monday and Tuesday’s skate being open to the public from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
