Friend returns to Icemen

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Icemen, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers and the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack, announced tthat the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Jacob Friend for the 2022-23 season.   

Friend, 25, returns to the Icemen for a third season. Last season, he recorded 13 points (5g-8a) with 79 penalty minutes in 43 games with Jacksonville. In addition, he also appeared in 17 games with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, registering two points (1g-1a) with 33 penalty minutes.  

During his rookie campaign with the Icemen in 2020-21, Friend collected eight points (1g-7a) with 101 penalty minutes in 44 games and quickly established himself as one the most physical defenders in the league.  

Prior to joining the Icemen, Friend logged 14 points (3g-11a) with 136 penalty minutes in 53 games played at St. Mary’s University (USports) from 2018-20. He totaled 63 points (9g-54a) along with 266 penalty minutes in 166 appearances with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League from 2015-18. The Bowmanville, Ontario resident captained Owen Sound during the 2017-18 season.