2015-16 Beast Offensive Player of the Year Pither Re-Signs for 2016-17
BRAMPTON, ONTARIO – The Brampton Beast, ECHL affiliate of the St. John’s IceCaps and Montreal Canadiens, announce today that high-scoring weapon and Beast 2015-16 Offensive Player of the Year Luke Pither has re-signed with the Beast for the upcoming 2016-17 ECHL season.
The 5’11” centre split last season between the Beast and the American Hockey League’s St. John’s IceCaps and Syracuse Crunch.
In 26 games with the Beast, the Burketon, Ontario native recorded nine goals and chipped in with 11 assists for 20 points and 24 penalty minutes. In six AHL contests, he performed admirably, registering three assists.
Pither was a great fit for the Beast last season and is excited to be back with the organization to help the team to a winning record in 2016-17.
“For me, it was a no-brainer after how I was treated by the organization and the fans in Brampton last year,” Pither said about his return to the Beast. “Being close to home was something I wanted to do again and to try to get off to a better start than we did last year and get a winning record.”
Pither is no stranger to AHL hockey, having recorded 17 goals and 34 assists in 136 games between the 2010-11 and 2015-16 seasons shared between the Adirondack Phantoms, Charlotte Checkers, IceCaps and Crunch.
A prolific junior scorer, Pither was almost a point-per-game player throughout his 307 games played in the Ontario Hockey League. He suited up for a total of four teams while in the OHL, including the Kingston Frontenacs, Guelph Storm, Belleville Bulls and Barrie Colts between the 2005-06 and 2009-10 seasons.
His best season in junior came in 2009-10 when he finished third in OHL scoring behind only Tyler Seguin and Taylor Hall, recording 36 goals and 58 assists for 94 points while with the Colts.
Beast Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operations Colin Chaulk liked what he saw out of Pither last season and hopes for more of the same in 2016-17.
“He’s the total package,” Chaulk said. “Speed, shot and ability. Earned himself two callups to the American Hockey League last year and we are excited to have him back.”