GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Road Warriors announced today that they have signed defensemen Wes Cunningham, T.J. Fast, and Jeff Caister for the 2011-12 season.
In Cunningham, the Road Warriors bring back an All-ECHL First-Team defender and runner-up for the Defenseman of the Year Award from the 2010-11 season. The 24-year-old from Dresden, Ontario finished second among ECHL defensemen, and set a career high, with 36 assists in 69 games last season. He also chipped in six goals and racked up 77 penalty minutes. T.J. Reynolds was the only Road Warriors defenseman to play more games (71) than Cunningham last season. At 5-11, 180 pounds Cunningham has never played fewer than 69 games in a professional season and entering his fourth pro campaign has logged 210 games between the Road Warriors, Elmira Jackals, and Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. His next assist will be his 100th in the ECHL.
Fast, 24, is a former second round draft pick (#60 overall) of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He split last season between the Cincinnati Cyclones and the American Hockey League’s Rochester Americans. With the Cyclones Fast earned 27 points (9G, 18A) in 58 games and two points (1G, 1A) in 13 games with Rochester. The 6-0, 195-pound rearguard has played 190 professional games between the ECHL and AHL over three seasons. He was most productive in 2009-10 with the Alaska Aces as he posted 31 points (10G, 21A) in 46 games. Prior to turning pro, Fast played one and a half seasons at the University of Denver (58 games, 1G, 10A, 40 PIMs) and one and a half seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans (97 games, 20G, 56A, 122 PIMs).
Caister, 26, is coming off of a rookie season that saw him share time with the South Carolina Stingrays and Victoria Salmon Kings in the ECHL. After eight games with the Stingrays, Caister headed west to Victoria where he put up 21 points (10G, 11A) in 41 games. The 6-2, 185-pounder from Mississauga, Ontario also led Salmon King defensemen with eight points (4G, 4A) in 12 playoff games as Victoria reached the Western Conference Final. Caister turned professional after four seasons of NCAA hockey split between Wayne State University and Saint Lawrence University. At Wayne State he earned 47 points (5G, 42A) in 73 games, and at Saint Lawrence he earned 27 points (8G, 19A) in 79 games.
“Cunningham, Fast, and Caister all bring a veteran presence to our defense corp this season, which is important. All three also play a solid, two-way game which will help us on the defensive and offensive side of the puck,” said Road Warriors head coach Dean Stork.
Wes Cunningham Player Profile
T.J. Fast Player Profile
Jeff Caister Player Profile
Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors open the season at the BI-LO Center on October 14 at 7:35 p.m. against the Wheeling Nailers. Don’t miss a minute of action with the Road Warriors this season! 2011-12 season ticket packages and half-season ticket packages are on sale right now. Fans can call 864-674-PUCK (7825) to speak to a Road Warriors ticket representative. Season tickets start as low as $300 and can be reserved with a deposit of just $100.
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