J.D. Corbin and Antonin Manavian bolster Condors roster
Bakersfield, Calif. – The Bakersfield Condors, host of the 2010-11 ECHL All-Star Classic and ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, today announced the signing of two players for the 2010-11 season. LW J.D. Corbin brings NCAA championship experience to the Condors, and D Antonin Manavian adds a wealth of overseas experience. The announcement was made by Head Coach Marty Raymond.
Corbin, 25, has two professional seasons under his belt that includes stops with the Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL) and the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL). While in college, Corbin won two NCAA Championships with the University of Denver where he was teammates with former Condors Andrew Thomas and Connor James. After winning the title in 2003-04, the team turned in an even more impressive season in 2004-05 by winning the WCHA championship and then repeating as NCAA champions. Since turning pro in 2007-08, Corbin has appeared in 77 games, 16 with Johnstown, and 61 with Lake Erie. Corbin did not play professionally last season due to injury. He was drafted in the 8th round, 249 overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2004.
What Marty says:
“J.D. is a character guy. He was a captain for his college team at the University of Denver. He comes highly recommended by some NHL scouts and has super speed. He is a guy that is going to be a big help. He could be a force in this league.”
Manavian, 23, will hop across the pond from his native Paris, France. He spent time in Canada during the 2005-06 season in the 
QMJHL with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and Gatineau Olympiques, so adjusting to the North American game should not prove to be a problem. He has achieved a number of accomplishments during his time in France. In 2006-07, he helped Grenoble win the French League Cup, and followed that up by repeating the feat in 2007-08 while also taking a bronze medal in the French U22 league. In 2008-09, he won the French Cup once again, and then was elected to the French All-Star Team in 2009-10. With Grenoble last season, Manavian posted three goals and six assits for nine points and 75 PIM in 25 games.
What Marty says:
“Antonin is a big man at 6-4, 230 lbs. His size and strength skating wise is an asset for a team that needs a guy who plays very good defensive hockey. He is a tough guy that plays with an edge.”
The Condors now have 13 players inked for the 2010-11 season: goaltender Peter Hirsch, defensemen Erik Burgdoerfer, Jay Cascalenda, Jason Lepine, Manavian, Sebastian Strom, and Yan Turcotte, forwards Jean-Marc Beaudoin, Adam Chorneyko, Corbin, Adam Naglich, Bobby Robins and Mika Suoraniemi. Training camp opens for the Condors on Friday, Oct. 1.
