JACKSONVILLE– The Jacksonville Icemen, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and the AHL’s Rochester Americans announced today that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Connor Russell and forward Chris Grando for the 2024-25 season.
Russell, 28, returns to the Icemen where he recorded a career-high 13 points (1g, 12a) with 80 penalty minutes in 61 games last season.
Russell has totaled 19 points (1g, 18a) with 171 penalty minutes in 124 career ECHL contests split between the Icemen, South Carolina Stingrays, Iowa Heartlanders and Greenville Swamp Rabbits from 2021-2024.
The Guelph, Ontario resident totaled 11 points in three collegiate seasons at the University of Ottawa and Brock University (OUAA).
Grando, 25, returns to the Icemen after a productive rookie campaign last season where he registered 46 points (15g, 31a) in 69 games, earning the Icemen’s Rookie of the Year Award, an honor chosen by his teammates. Grando also collected a goal and an assist in seven playoff appearances during the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Grando initially joined the Icemen in March of 2023 after wrapping up his senior season at Arizona State University. Grando recorded nine points (4g, 5a) in 15 appearances with the Icemen that spring. The 5-10, 172-pound forward played three seasons at Arizona State and two seasons at Boston College recording 64 points (26g, 38a) in five collegiate seasons from 2017-2023.
Prior to starting his collegiate career, the Islip, New York resident played two seasons in juniors with the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) totaling 54 career points (22g, 32a)
They join Christopher Brown, Logan Cockerill, and Justin McRae on the list of players that have agreed to terms with the Icemen for the 2024-25 season.
The Icemen open their season at home on Saturday, Oct. 19 against the Florida Everblades at 7 p.m. Icemen ticket packages for the 2024-25 Season are currently on sale! Payment plans are also available. Contact the Icemen office at 904-602-7825, or visit www.jacksonvilleicemen.com for more infor,ation.
