Toivonen and Bourbeau Sign Deals with Bridgeport (AHL)


Bourbeau, Toivonen Sign with AHL’s Sound Tigers
Jackalopes Also Sending Lesperance, Gruenke to AHL Training Camp

(Odessa, TX) – The Odessa Jackalopes announced today that two players from last season’s roster, Jean Bourbeau (ZHON bor-BOH) and Juha Toivonen (YOO-hah TOY-voh-nin), have signed two-way contracts with the Jackalopes’ AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Bourbeau and Toivonen will report to training camp with Bridgeport on Tuesday, along with Jacks forward Mike Lesperance (LES-per-ahns) and defenseman Garrett Gruenke (GREEN-kee).  All four players completed their rookie seasons with the Jackalopes last year.

“Our organization’s relationship with New York and Bridgeport is set up to give players a chance to move up and on,” said Jackalopes General Manager Joe Clark. “We’re proud of the position Bourbeau and Toivonen have put themselves in, and believe all four of these players will compete well in camp.”

Clark made it clear that if Bridgeport decides to assign any of the four to the “AA” level, it would be to Odessa. That decision will most likely be made by the end of training camp in Connecticut. After several practice sessions this week, the Sound Tigers are scheduled to play exhibition games Friday and Saturday against Hartford.

Bourbeau, 25, began his pro career last season with Odessa, registering 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 58 games.  The Bonnyville, Alberta native attended camp with the Sound Tigers last season, and was also called up to the team last November for a brief period.

Toivonen, 22, was named to the CHL’s All-Rookie Team after going 13-8-2 in 27 games with a 3.19 goals against average.  The Finnish goaltender saved his best play for the postseason, going 7-1 in 11 games with a 2.40 GAA and a.907 save percentage.  Toivonen was also named CHL Goalie of the Week twice in 2008-2009.

Lesperance, who also attended Bridgeport’s camp last year, had a solid first year of pro hockey with 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 60 games. Gruenke improved his defensive play over the course of last season and inherited the team’s enforcer role. His 19 major penalties led all rookies last season in the CHL.
 


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