WHALERS WATCH with BRITTANY BURKE
BY: Brittany Burke
The Danbury Whalers of the Federal Hockey League have officially announced the signing of forward, Nick Deschenes.
The Whalers President, partner and CFO, Alan Friedman announced the major signing today at the Danbury Ice Arena, with just a little over five weeks until the puck drops on Thursday, Oct. 7.
Deschenes will be pulling double duty on the team, both as a forward and the team’s assistant coach, helping Head Coach Phil Esposito.
This isn’t the first stint in Connecticut for the Canadian born hockey player; he attended Yale University in New Haven, Conn., in the late 90’s, serving as a Bull dog from 1999-2003. While at Yale, Deschenes scored 36 goals in 114 games.
“I’m excited to re-establish my roots in Connecticut,” said Deschenes in the Danbury Whalers press release. “My family is looking forward to the season; it is going to be a very exciting time for us.”
Deschenes will be a good addition to the organization, enhancing a core group of returning veterans and new signees. Deschenes brings both talent and experience to the Whalers.
Having been a part of multiple different leagues, Deschenes spent time in the Philadelphia Flyers organization, playing for its American Hockey League farm team, the Philadelphia Phantoms. While with the Phantoms he played 31 games, scoring five goals and garnering two assists for seven points.
Aside from the Phantoms, he also spent time in the Flyers’ AAA affiliate as well as the East Coast Hockey League with the Trenton Titans, where he was a part of the 2004-2005 championship team.
“To add a player like Nick to our organization is a major piece. Nick has been a part of three championships and will bring so much to our organization on the coaching end as well,” said Esposito in the team’s release.
