Lipe, Russell join Ghost Pirates

Action photo of Chris Lipe and Mitchell Russell

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah Ghost Pirates announced the team has signed defenseman Chris Lipe and forward Mitchell Russell to contracts for the 2025-26 season.

Lipe recorded eight points (3g-5a) in 52 games with the Iowa Heartlanders last season. The 25-year-old posted a +13 rating, which ranked third among Iowa players. A native of Rockford, Michigan, Lipe has dressed in 126 regular-season ECHL games with the Heartlanders over the past three seasons, totaling 17 points (6g-11a). Lipe was acquired from the Iowa Heartlanders on June 20, completing a future considerations trade that sent forward Keltie Jeri-Leon to Iowa in early February.

Russell, 24, potted 21 points (10g-11a) in 44 games with the Wichita Thunder in 2024-25. In addition to his ECHL numbers, Russell played 10 games with the American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda, registering one goal. In 81 career ECHL games, the Peterborough, Ontario native has amassed 44 points (19g-25a). Russell turned pro in 2022 following a four-season stint in the Ontario Hockey League, appearing with the Owen Sound Attack and North Bay Battalion.