By Mike Bonts, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Icemen, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and the AHL’s Rochester Americans announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Christopher Brown and forward Justin McRae for the 2024-25 season.
Brown, 28, returns for a fifth season in Jacksonville after recording 59 points (20g, 39a) in 65 games, while also adding an additional five points in seven playoff appearances last season. Brown is currently the Icemen’s All-Time Leading scorer, totaling 171 points (64g, 107a) in 216 games played with the Icemen since the 2020-21 season. He has captained the Icemen for the past three years and has been named the recipient of the Icemen’s Most Valuable Player Award the past two seasons, an honor selected by his teammates.
“Christopher is a consummate professional, who has played a massive role in the organization’s success the past four seasons in Jacksonville,” said Icemen Head Coach Nick Luukko. “A true leader, we are excited to have Christopher lead our culture.”
Brown has totaled 190 points (75g, 115a) in 254 career ECHL games in stints with the Icemen and Wheeling Nailers. The 6-0, 179-pound forward also has four points in 47 career AHL contests split between time with the Rochester Americans, Hershey Bears and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Prior to his professional career, Brown served as captain for Boston College for two seasons from 2018-2020. The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan resident, was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Brown’s father, Doug Brown appeared in 854 NHL games in stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils and Detroit Redwings.
McRae, 25, returns to the Icemen where he appeared in the final three regular season games with the Icemen after being claimed off waivers from the Wheeling Nailers. While with Wheeling, he logged three points (2g, 1a) in 13 outings. McRae’s hustle earned him a spot on the Icemen’s playoff roster this past spring and he appeared in all seven playoff games for Jacksonville, recording one goal.
Prior to beginning his professional career this past spring, the 6-2, 175-pound rookie forward wrapped up his third season at the University of Ottawa, recording 11 points (7g, 4a) in 27 games. The Peterborough, Ontario resident compiled 23 points during his three collegiate seasons in Ottawa.
The Icemen open the 2024-25 Season on Saturday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. Icemen ticket packages are currently on sale! Payment plans are also available. Contact the Icemen office at 904-602-7825, or visit www.jacksonvilleicemen.com for more information.
EVERBLADES GETTING THE BLUES
The Florida Everblades announced that they have entered into a multi-year affiliation agreement with the National Hockey
League’s St. Louis Blues. The Everblades will serve as an affiliate for the Blues and their primary developmental affiliate, the American Hockey League’s Springfield (Mass.) Thunderbirds, starting with the 2024-25 season.
“This affiliation with the St. Louis Blues is incredibly exciting for the Everblades organization and me personally,” said Everblades owner David Hoffmann, a Missouri native. “Having the opportunity to partner with a team from my home state, a team with such a rich history and passionate fanbase, is truly special.
Originally founded in 1998, Everblades will be celebrating the organization’s 27th season in 2024-25.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The Atlanta Gladiators announced that veteran forward Eric Neiley has signed an ECHL contract with the club for the 2024-25 season. Neiley, 32, briefly retired following the 2022-23 season, a campaign in which he notched 44 points (25G, 19A) in 50 games. This past year, Neiley joined head coach Derek Nesbitt behind the bench, serving as an assistant….the South Carolina Stingrays announced that the club has signed forward Josh Wilkins to an ECHL contract for the 2024-25 season. Wilkins, 27, rejoins the Stingrays for a third consecutive season. The Raleigh, NC native has averaged a point per game in each of his previous two seasons with South Carolina. Tthe club also signed forward Ryan Leibold to an ECHL contract for the 2024-25 season. Leibold, 25, is the Stingrays’ first signing of the 2024 offseason. The Ashburn, VA native tallied 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 65 games for South Carolina last season. The Stingrays are the only professional hockey team Leibold has ever played for. He joined the team in March 2023, immediately after the conclusion of his college hockey career, and skated in nine games for the Stingrays before playing his first full professional season last year.
