Ex-Union star Simpson signs with Pirates

by Ryan Fay

Former Union forward Wayne Simpson signed a one-year American Hockey League Standard Player Contract with the Portland Pirates on Friday.

Simpson

Simpson had been in Pirates training camp as a free-agent invitee. He had a strong showing with a goal in Portland's 5-3 exhibition setback to the University of New Brunswick on Oct. 3 and an assist in their 4-2 preseason win over Providence on Sept. 30.

"He's a very good player," Pirates assistant coach Scott Allen said in an interview following the New Brunswick game. "He's a very intelligent player. He knows where to put himself in the right areas on the ice. He's got a very good nose for the net, and we're very happy with how he's played so far."

Simpson spent the bulk of last season with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays, where he had 16 goals and 39 assists in 65 games. He was even better in the postseason, setting a league postseason record with 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists) as the Stingrays fell one game short of winning the championship.

Simpson's only previous AHL experience was a four-game stint last season with Providence, the team Portland plays in their season opener on Sunday. He had a goal in the four games.

In related news, the Pirates assigned former Union goaltender Colin Stevens to the ECHL's Manchester Monarchs.

Follow @GarnetHockey