Condors Lock Down Annesley and Meilleur for 2012-13

CONDORSTOWN, Calif. – The  Bakersfield Condors have announced that the team has agreed to terms with D Ryan Annesley (AINZ-lee) and D Francis Meilleur (may-YUR) for the upcoming 2012-13 Condors 15th Anniversary Season. The two returning defensemen join forwards Tyler Helfrich, Robby Dee, Jesse Gimblett, and Chris Kushneriuk along with fellow blue liners Tyson Gimblett, Justin Pender, and Scott Enders on the now nine-deep Condors training camp roster.

CONDORS.TV INTERVIEW WITH MATT O’DETTE 

Acquired in mid-January from Cincinnati, Annesley turned in animpressive rookie campaign finishing second of the Condors among defensemen with four goals and 17 assists for 21 points in 50 games played. While in Condorstown, the Ajax, Ontario native played 30 games, registering three goals and 11 assists for 14 points. His season included three multiple-point games and saw the former Niagara Purple Eagle record two, three-assist games. While at Niagara, the 5’10”, 185 lbs. d-man potted 16 goals and 54 assists for 70 points in 144 games over four seasons.

“When we acquired Annesley from Cincy he immediately bolstered our defensive corps,” said Condors Head Coach Matt O’Dette. “He’s a player who can run our power play effectively and who we will call upon to do so again this year.”

“I’m extremely happy about coming back to Condorstown,” said Annesley. “We have a great group of returning players, an excellent staff, and awesome fans. I can’t wait to build off the momentum we had from the end of last season to come out of the gates blazing.”

Annesley career stats: click here.

Meilleur was acquired off waivers from Greenville during the last week of the season and played in three games with the Condors. In 64 total games, the rookie scored twice and added nine assists for 11 points. He held the ECHL season-high mark with a plus-5 (+5) rating on Feb. 17 against Toledo. Prior to turning pro, the 22-year old led all Montreal Juniors of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) defensemen in scoring with 53 points (8g, 45a), good for fifth among all QMJHL defensemen in 2010-11.

“Meilleur was an end of season pickup for us who we feel has some significant offensive upside,” O’Dette said. “He had a very productive career in junior and is a good puck-moving defenseman.”

“I’m really excited to come back and play for Bakersfield,” Meilleur said. “Signing with the Condors is the best decision I could have made. The city and the fans are amazing. I cannot wait to start the season and work hard to go all the way this year.”

Meilleur career stats: click here.

The Condors have laid the gauntlet down and challenged the rival Stockton Thunder on social media. When the team reaches 15,000 Facebook page likes in honor of the 15th Anniversary Season and receives more followers on Twitter than the Thunder, a brand new unique jersey design for the 2012-13 season will be unveiled. In addition, one lucky fan will win one of the jerseys and another fan will get the unforgettable opportunity to have lunch with the entire team.

To LIKE the team on Facebook, click here, and then hit LIKE at the top right of the page.

To FOLLOW the team on Twitter, click here, and then hit FOLLOW at the top right of the page. Fans are also encouraged to spread the word on Twitter by using the hashtag #ToppleTheThunder.

GET YOUR OLYMPIC SIZED TICKET DEAL

Opening Night in Condorstown is just 74 days away, on Sunday, Oct. 14 against the Las Vegas Wranglers. Don’t miss out on the team’s 15th anniversary season by purchasing your Olympic-sized ticket plan today. From now until the end of the Olympic games, any fan who purchases a new ticket plan will receive a Condors gold medal from Kern Trophies, a FREE family swim pass to the McMurtrey Aquatic Center, and a FREE one-month membership to Body Xchange. For more information, click here.

Ticket plans can be purchased in person at the Condors front office located inside Rabobank Arena or by calling 324-PUCK (7825).  To view the many options to fit your schedule and budget with plans starting at just $8 a month, click here.