CORNWALL – With the pre-season now behind them, the River Kings have come to terms with six more players, including some local talent.
Chris Ayotte and Brock Bissonnette of Cornwall and Ian Boots of Akwesasne will suit up for the Kings as will newcomers Mike Stacey and Jean-Philippe Caron. Veteran Anthony Pittarelli has also come to terms with the organization.
The 25-year-old Ayotte is coming off a four-year stint at the State University of New York (Oswego). The former Cornwall Colt scored 13 goals and 11 assists in 30 games last season. Bissonnette, 23, played in five games for the River Kings last year.
Boots, another former Cornwall Colt, turned pro last season after attending Ohio State and SUNY (Oswego). The 26-year-old had stops in the CHL, SPHL and ECHL last year.
Stacey will bring size and toughness to the River Kings. In 2011-12 he had 54 penalty minutes in 21 games for the Akwesasne Warriors of the FHL. The 31-year-old from Kahnawake is no stranger to Quebec hockey either having played in the QMJHL, QSMHL and LNAH.
Caron had an impressive pre-season with the River Kings and will add more skill and speed to a talented group of forwards. Last season, the 21-year-old from Shawinigan scored 41 goals and 42 assists in 41 games for the Kahnawake Condors of the QJAHL.
The feisty Pittarelli, meanwhile, will be returning to the River Kings for a second season. The 25-year-old suited up in 23 games for Cornwall in 2012-13, scoring six goals and two assists. The Laval native also compiled 36 penalty minutes.
The Kings open their second LNAH regular season this Friday night in Saint-Georges.
This Saturday, River Kings players and staff will be on hand at Shoeless Joes for a meet and greet with fans. You can win tickets and prizes and there will be activities for fans of all ages.