Laredo signs Jeremy Swanson

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Laredo, TX - The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Friday that they have signed former NHL Draft pick Jeremy Swanson for the 2009-10 season. Swanson was drafted in the sixth round (#169 overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers.

Swanson has played in a total of 256 professional games, including 82 in the AHL thus far in his five professional seasons.

"To pick up a defenseman with the skill and experience like Jeremy is very crucial for us," said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. "He's an NHL draft pick, he's won a championship, he's had a lot of AHL experience, it will help us a lot."

Last season the Red Rock, Ontario native split time in the ECHL with the Victoria Salmon Kings and Phoenix Roadrunners, putting up a total of 10 points (5-510) and 82 PIM's. Swanson picked up 10 PIM's in three AHL games last season for the Toronto Marlies.

The 6'0'', 210 pound Swanson helped lead the Cincinatti Cyclones to the 2008 ECHL Championship, when he scored one goal and picked up 15 PIM's during the postseason. During the 2007-08 regular season Swanson played in 48 games scoring six points (1-56) and picking up 68 PIM's.

In 2006-07 the 25-year-old Swanson played in a career-high 47 AHL games with the Rochester Americans, scoring two points (0-22) with 47 PIM's. Swanson appeared in six playoff games in 2007 with the Amerks, picking up four points (0-44) with 14 PIM's. Swanson played in 16 games for Florida (ECHL) that season as well, scoring three points (0-33).

Swanson played just 25 games in 2005-06, suiting up in 14 with Florida (1-34) and 11 with Rochester (0-00).

In his rookie year of 2004-05 Swanson played in 44 ECHL games with Texas (1-67) and 21 with San Antonio (1-34).

Prior to turning pro Swanson played four years in the OHL, where he put up 106 points (22-841-6) and piled up 387 PIM's.