News release
29 July 2013
ELMIRA, N.Y. - July 29, 2013 - The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have agreed to terms with forwards Rob Bellamy and Artem Demkov, along with defensemen Kyle Bushee and Jordon Southorn for the 2013-14 season.
Bellamy, 28, returns for his third season in Elmira. Last year he finished with career highs in goals (20), assists (28), and points (48) while skating in all 72 regular season games. Bellamy finished fourth on the club in points, tacked on 84 penalty minutes, and went on to add a pair of assists in six playoff games. The 6-0, 205-pound winger from Westfield, Mass. has registered 72 points (31 goals, 41 assists) and 131 penalty minutes in 135 games with Elmira. Originally selected in the third round (#92 overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2004, Bellamy is entering his sixth season of professional hockey after four years at the University of Maine.
Bellamy on returning to Elmira for 2013-14
Bushee, 28, is coming off of his most productive year as a pro in 2012-13. The veteran defenseman from Otsego, Mich. potted 32 points (9 goals, 23 assists) over 63 games in his first season with the Jackals. The 6-0, 185-pound rearguard played to a +15 while logging time on the Jackals' top power play and penalty kill units. Bushee was Elmira's top scoring defenseman in the playoffs with four points (1 goal, 3 assists) over six games. Set to enter his sixth year in professional hockey, Bushee has logged 353 games between Elmira, Wheeling, Johnstown, and Cincinnati of the ECHL, as well as Portland, Manitoba, St. John's, Norfolk, and Binghamton of the American Hockey League.
Demkov, like Bellamy, returns for his third season in Elmira. The 23-year-old center from Minsk, Belarus netted 23 goals in 39 games for the Jackals last season and added 17 assists for 40 points. Despite not playing a full season in Elmira he finished second on the team in goals and sixth in points. For his Jackals career Demkov has produced 97 points (43 goals, 54 assists) in 106 games. Following the end of the National Hockey League lockout Demkov signed to play in the German Elite League with the Hamburg Freezers and picked up an assist in 12 games.
Jackals head coach Dwight Mullins on Demkov:"Artem is a true first-line center in this league and he showed a knack for scoring big goals last year. He is hungry to continue to improve his game and make the jump to the next level. I am excited to work with him again."
Southorn returns as the top-scoring defenseman from the 2012-13 Jackals. The 23-year-old blueliner racked up 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) and a +27 rating in 64 games. His 11 goals were tied for fourth-most in the league and his +27 rating was the third-best +/- rating for any Jackals skater since the team joined the ECHL in 2007-08. He also added two points on a goal and an assist in six playoff games. A former fourth round pick (#104) by the Buffalo Sabres in 2008, Southorn has put up 64 points (19 goals, 45 assists) in 149 games split between Trenton, Wheeling, and Elmira.
Thursday, August 1: Gary's Body Shop presents First Arena Comedy Club, 7:30 p.m. - Featuring headliner Andy Pitz.
Friday, August 24: Disney Junior Live! Pirate and Princess Adventure, Shows at 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 p.m.