Veteran Zion, rookies Lawson and Cumiskey coming to Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.– The Bakersfield Condors and Head Coach Matt O’Dette announced the team has agreed to terms with three players for the upcoming 2011-12 season. They are veteran D Jonathan Zion, rookie D Dan Lawson and rookie F Clayton Cumiskey. The three new additions bring the roster total to 15 players.

Watch O’Dette discuss the new players on CondorsTV

Zion, 30, is entering his 10th season of professional hockey since turning pro in 2002-03 with the Richmond Renegades (ECHL). During his nine previous professional seasons, the Nepean, Ontario native has seen time in the AHL, ECHL, CHL and in Europe with teams in Finland, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and England.

He will be a familiar face to Condors fans having played with the Idaho Steelheads in 2004-05 and 2005-06. As a rookie in 2002-03 with Richmond, he played in 58 games with 14 goals and 38 assists for 52 points. He was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team and was a 2nd Team All-ECHL selection that season. In 184 games played at the ECHL level, he has recorded an impressive 149 points.

Last season, Zion split time in England with the Nottingham Panthers (EIHL) and in the CHL with the Allen Americans. He represented the EIHL in a 2010 preseason game against the Boston Bruins. Prior to his professional career, Zion won the Memorial Cup in 1999 as a member of the Ottawa 67’s.

A native of Oak Park, Illinois, Dan Lawson comes to the Condors after a highly successful collegiate career at the University of Vermont.  The 23-year old played four seasons for the Catamounts on the blue line. In 120 games played, he tallied 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points as he helped Vermont to the NCAA Frozen Four tournament in 2008-09 and 2009-10. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2009 East Regional where he recorded two goals and one assist as the Catamounts advanced to the Frozen Four. His game-winning goal in double overtime against Air Force won the regional.

Cumiskey, 21, hails from Abbotsford, British Columbia and played four seasons in the WHL with Edmonton and Everett. In 249 games played at the major junior level, Cumiskey totaled 32 goals and 66 assists for 98 points and 147 PIMs. His best season came in 2009-10 when he recorded 35 points in 59 games played split between Edmonton and Everett. He was a teammate of F Parker Stanfield in Everett, who is also attending camp with the Condors. Clayton’s older brother Kyle is a defenseman in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche.

What O’Dette says: “Zion is an experienced guy who will be a leader on our blue line, can carry our power play and we’re excited to get him,” said O’Dette. “Lawson has a really high ceiling and the sky is the limit for him. He’s got all of the skill package you need to be successful as a pro. Cumiskey is one of those guys that does all the little things right, plays both ends of the ice, and is willing to stick up for his teammates. He’ll do a little bit of everything for us.”

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