The Elmira Jackals announced on Wednesday that they have signed defenseman Mario Larocque to a standard player contract for the 2011-2012 season. A veteran of 768 professional games, Larocque has experience in nine leagues, including the NHL, and has played for Jackals coach Pat Bingham with three teams.

"Mario is the total package as he brings grit, character, leadership, and experience to Elmira," Bingham said. "He can play in all situations, whether it be trying to prevent a goal late or score a goal late. Mario will be relied on heavily in Elmira for his leadership and experience."

Larocque, a 6'4", 220-pound physical defenseman who also serves as a scoring threat, skated in 2010-2011 with the Evansville IceMen in the CHL, leading the club's blue liners with 17 goals, 27 assists, 44 points, and 151 penalty minutes. He split 2009-2010 with the EIHL's Nottingham Panthers and the IHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks, accumulating seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points to go along with 137 penalty minutes. Larocque played in Italy in 2008-2009 and in Austria in 2007-2008, collecting 25 points (12g-13a) and 196 penalty minutes over the two seasons.

Jackals fans will remember Larocque from his three-season stint in the UHL from 2004-2007. Larocque most recently skated for Bingham in 2006-2007 with the Fort Wayne Komets, leading UHL defensemen with 27 goals while adding 40 assists for 67 points. His 231 penalty minutes were fourth highest in the league as the Komets secured the UHL's top record of 51-21-4. Larocque played two seasons with the Danbury Trashers from 2004-2006, totaling 11 goals and 36 assists for 47 points and 458 penalty minutes. He also earned five games with AHL Bridgeport in 2005-2006 while Bingham was an assistant coach with the Sound Tigers.

Larocque first played for Bingham in 2003-2004 in Wheeling as the Nailers notched the best record in the ECHL's Eastern Conference of 51-17-4. That season Larocque registered 35 points (13g-22a) and 166 penalty minutes while also participating in three games with Wilkes-Barre Scranton (AHL). Larocque played for ECHL Hall of Fame coach John Brophy in Wheeling in 2002-2003, notching 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points while serving 194 minutes in the penalty box.

The Montreal native played the entire 2001-2002 season with the AHL's Rochester Americans, chalking up 15 points (8g-7a) and 219 penalty minutes. Prior to that Larocque skated two seasons from 1999-2001 with the IHL's Detroit Vipers, recording eight points (2g-6a) and 467 penalty minutes over the two-year span.

Selected in the first round (16th overall) in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by Tampa Bay, Larocque played five games in his rookie campaign of 1998-1999 with the Lightning while skating the majority of that season with the IHL's Cleveland Lumberjacks, posting his first 12 professional points (5g-7a) and 202 penalty minutes.

As a pro, Larocque has tallied 120 goals and 208 assists for 328 points along with 2,452 penalty minutes.

Larocque played three seasons in the QMJHL prior to turning pro. He won the Memorial Cup as a member of the Hull Olympiques in 1996-1997 under reigning Stanley Cup champion head coach Claude Julien.

Come see Larocque and the Jackals at First Arena in 2011-2012. Click here to download a fillable season ticket form, call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), or visit the First Arena Box Office for more details.

UPCOMING FIRST ARENA EVENTS

JACKALS HOCKEY

PRO PLACEMENT CAMP
Friday, September 2
Saturday, September 3
Sunday, September 4

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