The Ontario Reign, primary affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, have signed right wing Sean Backman to an American Hockey League contract for the 2015-16 season, Reign Director of Hockey Operations Hubie McDonough announced on Monday.
Backman, 29, will remain with the Kings’ AHL affiliate for a third consecutive season after helping the Manchester Monarchs capture the Calder Cup during the 2014-15 campaign, posting 44 points (19-25=44) and 34 penalty minutes in 76 regular season games, and adding an additional 17 points (5-12=17) and eight penalty minutes in 19 postseason contests.
The Cos Cob, Conn. native has accumulated 132 points (54-78=132) and 138 penalty minutes in 347 career AHL matches with Texas, Bridgeport and Manchester, and has also added four points (2-2=4) and four penalty minutes in five ECHL games with the Idaho Steelheads.
Prior to turning pro, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound winger spent four years at Yale University, where he registered 126 points (77-49=126) and 110 penalty minutes in 122 games for the Bulldogs.