The Elmira Jackals announced prior to their first practice of 2011-2012 on Sunday that they have signed defenseman Joey Ryan to a standard player contract and forward Artem Demkov to a tryout agreement. Additionally, the Jackals have added forward Cam Fergus to their training camp roster.

Ryan, a fourth-year pro, played with the Bakersfield Condors in 2010-2011, scoring five goals and adding 13 assists for 18 points to go along with 146 penalty minutes in 53 games. He also skated in one game with the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons, notching an assist. In 2009-2010, Ryan played in 32 games for the Reading Royals where he tallied three goals and six assists for nine points, and earned seven games in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. Ryan played in 20 games with the Cincinnati Cyclones in his rookie season of 2008-2009, recording seven points (1g-6a) and skated in 36 games with the Marlies, contributing three goals and nine assists for 12 points.

The 6'1", 190-pound Ryan played the majority of his five-year major-junior career with the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts, winning the Memorial Cup in 2005-2006. During that same season, Ryan was named the QMJHL's Humanitarian of the Year. Ryan also qualified for the Memorial Cup with the QMJHL-champion Gatineau Olympiques in 2007-2008. He combined 16 goals and 73 assists for 89 points while adding 627 penalty minutes in his major-junior career. Ryan was selected in the 2nd round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings.

Demkov, a native of Minsk, Belarus, ventures to the United States for the first time in his professional career. A 5'10", 172-pound right wing, Demkov skated last season for Shakhter Soligorsk in the Belarusian Extraleague, tying for fourth on the team with 36 points (15g-21a). Demkov split 2009-2010 with Soligorsk and the KHL's Dinamo Minsk, registering 25 points (13g-12a) with Soligorsk and adding an assist for Minsk.

As a junior, Demkov played in 59 games with the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Acadie-Bathurst Titan, scoring 15 goals to go along with 13 assists for 28 points with the two clubs in 2008-2009. Demkov played for the Belarus Under-20 National Team in 2008-2009 and 2007-2008.

Fergus was in training camp with Elmira's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. He signed a standard player contract with the Jackals earlier this summer.

Become a fan of the Jackals on Facebook at Facebook.com/ElmiraJackals and follow the Jackals on Twitter at Twitter.com/#!/JackalsHockey for the latest updates leading up to the start of the 2011-2012 season.

JACKALS HOCKEY: GET JACKED!

UPCOMING FIRST ARENA EVENTS

PRESEASON HOCKEY
Blue vs. White Intrasquad Game
Thursday, October 6
7:00 p.m.

Elmira vs. Reading
Saturday, October 8
7:35 p.m.

SIXTH ANNUAL GOLF WITH THE JACKALS
Sunday, October 9

2011-2012 HOME OPENER
Elmira vs. Trenton
Friday, October 14
7:35 p.m.

Elmira vs. Trenton
Saturday, October 15
7:35 p.m.

Elmira vs. Florida
Friday, October 21
7:35 p.m.