Almeida, Syner reunite with Worcester

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester Railers Hockey Club, ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, announced that the club has signed forwards Barry Almeida and T.J. Syner to contracts for the 2017-18 season. The 28-year-old Almeida played for two European teams last season, the Coventry Blaze of the Elite Ice Hockey League and the HC Gardena of the Alps Hockey League. The Springfield, Mass. native is entering his sixth professional season. Almeida was a member of the 2013 Reading Royals Kelly Cup championship team, appearing in 15 playoff games and recording six points (4g-2a). He has posted 138 points (67g-71a) in 186 career ECHL games. Before turning pro, Almeida played four seasons with at Boston College, winning National Championships in 2010 and 2012. He was a USHL Clark Cup Champion with the Omaha Lancers in 2008. The 28-year-old Syner was teammates with Almeida last season with both HC Gardena and Coventry and also enters his sixth professional season. Syner was also a member of the 2013 Royals Kelly Cup championship team, appearing in 22 playoff games with 21 points (9g-12a). In his career, Syner has tallied eight points (3g-5a) in 48 AHL games with the Hershey Bears, and posted 140 points (57g-83a) in 172 ECHL games with Reading and Utah. Before turning pro, Syner played four seasons at UMass-Amherst.