Railers sign Kwas, Vanier

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester Railers Hockey Club, ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, announced that the club has signed forward Jordan Kwas and defenseman Alexis Vanier to contracts for the 2018-19 season.

Kwas joins the Railers entering his fifth season in the ECHL. The 29-year-old posted 33 points (11g-22a) in 65 games for the Kansas City Mavericks last season. In total, he has 127 points (48g-79a) in 235 games in the ECHL with the Colorado Eagles, South Carolina Stingrays, Wheeling Nailers and Mavericks.

The Cochrane, Alberta native spent four seasons with the University of Alaska-Anchorage and amassed a total of 90 points (30g-60a) in 124 games before making his professional debut with the Eagles.

Vanier comes to Worcester entering his third professional season after appearing in 33 games for the Riviere-du-Loup 3L of the League of North American Hockey last season. The Sainte-Catherine, Quebec native played for the Wichita Thunder in 2016-17 and posted 14 points (4g-10a) in 49 games.

Before turning pro, the 22-year-old played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Sherbrooke Phoenix, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and Charlottetown Islanders for a total of 96 points (30g-66a) in 223 games. Vanier was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry draft.