Eurolanche

Fish Add AHL Experience

Zimmerman, 25, will return to play in his hometown of Denver, Colorado after spending the last five years in the American Hockey League while the 23-year-old Crew begins his professional career after a four-year run at Western Michigan University.

“Both of these signings are great for our team,” said Cutthroats Head Coach Derek Armstrong.“Sean is an impact defenseman who we expect a lot from this season.  He brings good size, AHL experience, he’s played in the CHL before and he can anchor our blueline defensively.”

“J.J. just finished his career at a good program in Western Michigan. I played for his head coach, Andy Murray, in the NHL. Andy speaks very highly of him, and I trust Andy’s opinion given his knowledge of the game. J.J. provides us with some energy and depth up front.”

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Zimmerman has appeared in 274 AHL games with six different teams over his playing career. In 2008-09 he also appeared in 20 CHL games with the Arizona Sundogs, registering three assists. Zimmerman was a sixth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in National Hockey League’s 2005 Entry Draft. He most recently spent the past two seasons in the Anaheim Ducks system, playing in 63 games for the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, scoring a goal and nine assists.

Prior to turning pro, Zimmerman played four years of major-junior hockey with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League, appearing in 270 games.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Crew recorded 55 points (20 goals, 35 assists) in 133 games over a four-year career at Western Michigan University.  he Placentia, California native is a junior-product of the USHL, where he tallied 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 69 games for the Lincoln Stars.

The Cutthroats’ preseason roster now sits at 19 players. CHL Teams are allowed to invite up to 30 total players to training camp. The Cutthroats begin camp in early October and their season opener is slated for October 19 at the Denver Coliseum against the Missouri Mavericks.

-Cutthroats Press Release-