Bauer returns to Wichita, team signs Crinella

Wichita, Kan. - The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey Leaguue's Bakersfield Condors, announced that the team has re-signed forward Lane Bauer and added forward Peter Crinella for the 2019-20 season.

Bauer, 23, returns to Wichita for a third season. A native of Anchorage, Alaska, he tallied 18 points (7g-11a) in 55 games during the 2018-19 season. He had a solid rookie season, recording 37 points (9g-28a) in 63 games and finished tied for 11th in assists by a rookie in 2017-18.

Prior to turning pro, Bauer spent four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Edmonton Oil Kings and Kamloops Blazers. The dynamic forward potted 207 points (97g-110a) in 261 games and served as an alternate captain in 2016-17 for the Oil Kings. He netted 40 points ( 25g-15a) in 40 games with Edmonton before being sent to Kamloops in January. Bauer finished the season with 31 points (11g-20a) in 31 games for the Blazers and added three points (2g-1a) in six playoff games.

In 2013-14, Bauer was a part of the Memorial Cup winning team in Edmonton, which was his first year in junior hockey. His point production increased each season and it helped earn him a spot in rookie camp with the Edmonton Oilers in Penticton in 2017-18.

Crinella, 22, turns pro after spending the last four seasons at College of the Holy Cross. A native of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, he appeared in 129 games for the Crusaders, notching 48 points (21g-27a). He had his highest goal total of his collegiate career this past season, scoring seven times and finishing with 15 points in 35 games.