IceMen sign veteran defenseman Mike Ratchuk

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville IceMen have announced the signing defenseman Mike Ratchuk for the 2017-18 season.

The IceMen are the ECHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League and the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

The 29-year-old veteran has totaled 151 points (135g-119a) and 136 penalty minutes in 228 career ECHL games with Elmira, Florida, Wheeling, Cincinnati, Norfolk and Utah.

Selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, Ratchuk has also seen action in 147 games in the American Hockey League with Philadelphia, Adirondack, Syracuse, Springfield and Binghamton, adding 33 points (10g-23a).

A native of Buffalo, N.Y. Ratchuk spent last season with the Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League, where he played in 45 games with 21 points (8g-13a) and 16 penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, Ratchuk played two seasons for Michigan State University including the 2006-07 season when the Spartans captured the National Championship and he was named as the team’s Rookie of the Year.