HARTFORD, March 21, 2012: Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the team has signed forward Andrew Yogan and defenseman Peter Ceresnak to Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreements.

CT WhaleBoth Yogan, a fourth-round (100th overall) draft pick of the parent New York Rangers in 2010, and Ceresnak, who was selected in the sixth round (172nd overall) of the 2011 draft by the Rangers, come to the Whale from the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Yogan saw his first pro action at the end of last season with the Whale, and scored a pair of goals in his pro debut, a First-Star effort in a 4-3 loss to Bridgeport April 9.  The 6-3, 203-pound Coral Springs, FL native also had an assist in his other Whale appearance, giving him a total of three points in two AHL games.  This season, the 20-year-old Yogan led the Petes in goals, points and plus/minus, with 41 goals (tied for sixth in the OHL) and 37 assists for 78 points, along with a +8, in 66 games.  His 96 penalty minutes tied for second on the Peterborough team.  In 240 career OHL games with the Windsor Spitfires, Erie Otters and the Petes, Yogan totaled 96 goals and 90 assists for 186 points, plus 287 PIM.

This year was the first North American season for Ceresnak, 19, who hails from Trencin, Slovakia.  The 6-3, 209-pounder scored the second-most goals among the Petes’ defensemen, with six, and also added nine assists for 15 points, while serving 34 minutes in penalties, in 61 games.

Amateur records

The Whale are back in action this Friday night, March 23, hosting the Portland Pirates at the XL Center in a 7:00 PM game.  Fans can take advantage of a special food combo deal, available for all remaining Whale regular-season Friday-night home games, at that game.  A hot dog and a 12-ounce soda can be purchased for only $5.  The Whale also play at home this Saturday night, March 24 at 7:00, locking horns with the Providence Bruins.

Tickets to all 2011-12 Whale home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats and mini plans, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.