CONDORSTOWN, Calif. - The
Bakersfield Condors and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Matt O’Dette announced today that the team has signed LW Zach Cohen.
Cohen, 25, played the last two-plus seasons for the
Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League after signing a two-year entry level contract with the National Hockey League’s
Colorado Avalanche. In 116 games with the Monsters, the Schaumburg, Illinois native tallied five goals and added 16 assists for 21 points.
“His size and experience is what sticks out right away,” O’Dette said. “He’s a strong guy who works the walls and front of the net very well. It’s difficult to get the puck away from him. He’s been at the next level, is hungry to do all he can to get back there, and can show some of our guys what it takes.”
Prior to turning pro, the 6’3″, 230 lbs. winger played four seasons at Boston University where his scoring output improved each year. The highlight of his collegiate career came in 2008-09 when he won the team’s Most Improved Player award and helped the Terriers to a national title. In the title game, Cohen scored a momentum-changing goal with under one minute remaining to help complete an improbable Terrier comeback against Miami University.
Overall, Cohen potted 31 goals with 21 assists for 52 points in 132 games at BU. He registered back-to-back double digit goal seasons with 13 in 2008-09 and 15 in 2009-10 before signing with Colorado.