Orlando Signs Ryan Reaves

[caps05]

Orlando, FL - The Orlando Solar Bears announced today that they have agreed to terms with RW Ryan Reaves.

Reaves (6'1", 227 lbs.) has played 88 games over the course of two seasons with Ryan Reaves the St. Louis Blues (NHL), racking up 202 penalty minutes (PIM) to go along with eight points (5 goals, 3 assists). He played 60 games with St. Louis last season, with 124 PIM, three goals, and one assist. Reaves split the 2010-11 season with the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) and the Blues, playing in 28 NHL games while recording two goals, two assists, and 78 PIM. In 50 AHL games that year, he picked up 146 PIM along with 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists).

Reaves skated exclusively with Peoria from 2008-2010, appearing in 133 games. In 2009-10 he lead the Rivermen with 167 PIM, and in 2008-09 he was second on the club with 130 PIM. He also spent 31 games with the Rivermen in 2007-08 after starting the season with the Alaska Aces (ECHL). In 214 AHL games, Reaves has 489 PIM, 20 goals, and 25 assists for 45 points. In nine ECHL contests, all with the Aces, he had two goals and 42 PIM.

Drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, the Winnipeg, Manitoba, native played three seasons (2004-07) in the WHL (Western Hockey League) before turning pro. Reaves skated in 201 games over those three seasons, picking up 246 PIM while recording 36 goals and 43 assists for 79 points. He was fourth on the team with 91 PIM during the 2005-06 season.

Head Coach Drake Berehowsky, who was an assistant coach for Peoria while Reaves was playing there, said, "Reaves is a great addition to our club. He brings strong leadership both on and off the ice, and the way he plays the game will set a tremendous example to the rest of our team."

[caps05]

They waived Brett Lyon today, but I'm glad to see they brought in more muscle to take Lyon's spot.

[Machinehead2k5]

Originally Posted by caps05

They waived Brett Lyon today, but I'm glad to see they brought in more muscle to take Lyon's spot.

I didn't know Ryback played hockey (and yes I know who the hockey player Ryan Reaves was before this article).

[Humpzilla]

Well that's a reason to make that drive

[4thLineGoon]

I'll be in Elmira Friday for my first ECHL game, it sucks Kramer is out of action. Hopefully some combo of Reaves-Liambas-Baldwin finds Harvey-Borbeau-Johnson, but I'm not sure I'm that lucky.

[PilotsFan]

Originally Posted by 4thLineGoon

I'll be in Elmira Friday for my first ECHL game, it sucks Kramer is out of action. Hopefully some combo of Reaves-Liambas-Baldwin finds Harvey-Borbeau-Johnson, but I'm not sure I'm that lucky.

Took in an AHL game in Hershey a couple weeks ago and was totally dissapointed. Bunch of players hoping not to get hurt is what I saw. No hitting, little emotion.....just a boring game.

[Leaf2717]

Reaves played well and skated hard[first star of the game] - threw a couple nice checks. Henley went after him in the first and he turned his back while Henley tried to land some punches - then talked to the Fort Wayne Bench.

No fights but a fairly good game - my ECHL experiences [mainly the Solar Bears] have been much more "fighty" and "hitty" than in the past3 or 4 years [mainly the Everblades].

For what it's worth I give the ECHL experience a thumbs up as far as entertainment value, agree with the gentleman above that the recent AHL can seem like slower and less passionate NHL hockey - still I am hoping to get to Bingo, Albany and/or Scranton over the Christmas holiday, as I have great memories of the AHL in the late 80's and early 90's.

All the best.