HARTFORD, April 19, 2012: Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the Whale has signed defenseman Samuel Noreau to an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement.
Noreau, 19, was a fifth-round selection (136th overall) by the parent New York Rangers in the 2011 NHL Draft, from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 58 games this season with the Drakkar, the 6-5, 215-pound Noreau scored five goals, good for third among team defensemen, and added 12 assists for 17 points, while serving 92 minutes in penalties, the second-highest total on the club. The Montreal, Quebec native also skated in eight postseason contests for Baie-Comeau, going scoreless with 18 PIM.
In 159 career QMJHL contests over three seasons with the Drakkar, Noreau has totaled 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points, along with 250 PIM.
The Whale start their best-of-five, Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers tonight at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, with faceoff at 7:00 PM (“The Rock” 106.9 WCCC-FM, www.ctwhale.com). Game Two of the series will also be in Bridgeport, this Saturday, April 21 at 7:00, before the series switches to the XL Center in Hartford for Game Three this Sunday, April 22. Faceoff for that contest will be 5:00. A Game Four, if it is necessary, would be in Hartford Wednesday, April 25 at 7:00, and if the series went the full five games, a decisive Game Five would be next Saturday, April 28 in Bridgeport at 7:00.
Tickets to Game Three at the XL Center 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.
Playoff ticket packages are also available that include tickets to all possible home playoff games. To speak to a Whale account executive about a playoff ticket package, call (860) 728-3366. More information is available at www.ctwhale.com.
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