Glens Falls, N.Y. – The Adirondack Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames, announced that they have signed defenseman Patch AlberPatch Alber to a standard player contract.
Alber, 27, returns to the Thunder for his second season with Adirondack and his fourth overall in the ECHL after he joined the team in October in a trade from the Missouri Mavericks. Alber tied for the lead amongst Thunder defensemen in scoring during the 2015-16 season, as he netted 30 points (0g-30a) over 64 games. Alber’s 30 points were a career high while his 30 assists were second on the Thunder roster, trailing only forward Michael Kirkpatrick (31). The Clifton Park, N.Y. native appeared in all 12 playoff contests for the Thunder and collected three assists, including the primary helper on Gunnar Hughes’ overtime game winning goal in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against South Carolina.
Prior to joining Adirondack, Alber skated two prior professional seasons with the Mavericks and the Elmira Jackals, where he collected 50 points (7g-43a) over 140 games. Alber tied for the ECHL lead in games played during the 2014-15 season, as he appeared in 75 contests on a 72-game schedule due to a midseason trade from Elmira to Missouri. Prior to beginning his professional career, Alber was a two-time NCAA National Champion at Boston College in 2010 and 2012. The 5-10 defenseman appeared in 103 career collegiate games with the Eagles and amassed 29 points (4g-25a).
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