HARTFORD, September 26, 2012: Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the team has signed defenseman Sebastien Piche to an American Hockey League contract.
Piche, 6-0 and 194 pounds, has split his first three pro seasons between the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins and the ECHL. In 2011-12, the 24-year-old La Sarre, Quebec native played 22 games with the Griffins, notching three assists and 18 penalty minutes, before being traded by the parent Detroit Red Wings to Tampa Bay February 12. The Lightning assigned Piche to the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, for whom he skated in 16 games, registering three goals and seven assists for 10 points, along with 41 PIM. Piche and the Everblades went on to capture the ECHL championship, with Piche contributing two goals and nine assists for 11 points, plus a team-leading 51 minutes in penalties, in 18 postseason outings.
Originally signed as a free agent by Detroit April 12, 2009 out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Piche has logged 42 total games of AHL action in three years as a pro, with career totals of five assists and 35 PIM. In 110 career ECHL games with the Everblades and Toledo Walleye, Piche has netted 20 goals and added 56 assists for 76 points, while serving 160 minutes in penalties.
The Whale open their 2012-13 season Friday, October 12 at the XL Center, with a 7:30 PM battle against their in-state rivals the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. At that game, all fans can purchase tickets at the special price of $12 each, and that night will also kick off the Whale’s new Friday night $1 hot dogs and $2 beers promotion.
Tickets for that game, and all Whale regular season home games at the XL Center, are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, through TicketMaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.
Season tickets for the Whale’s 2012-13 AHL season are also available. For information on season seats, and all of the Whale’s many ticketing options, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 548-2000 to talk with an account executive today.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
