The Adirondack Thunder have announced that they’ve signed defenseman Jacob Graves for the 2025-26 season. Graves, 30, spent last season as the captain of the South Carolina Stingrays. In 51 games, he put up three goals and 10 assists for 13 points along with 118 PIMs. He also played in all six Kelly Cup Playoff games last season with the Rays. Graves will provide some much-needed experience on the backend as he currently joins three rookies on the blueline. He also brings leadership, having been a captain in South Carolina. He is also a guy who won’t have any problems dropping the gloves.
The Barrie, Ontario, native is heading into his tenth season in the ECHL, as he’s spent time with the Quad City Mallards, Norfolk Admirals, Reading Royals, Florida Everblades, Wichita Thunder, Atlanta Gladiators, Fort Wayne Komets, Toledo Walleye, and South Carolina Stingrays. He’s put up 14 goals and 71 assists for 85 points in 378 games. In 2020, he was named to the ECHL All-Star Team. In 33 career Kelly Cup Playoff Games, he’s put up two goals and four assists for six points. Graves also spent 42 games with the Cleveland Monsters, where he put up four goals and four assists for eight points.
Prior to going pro, Jacob Graves spent parts of five seasons in the OHL with the Mississauga Steelheads, Kingston Frontenacs, Oshawa Generals, and London Knights. He would put up three goals and 29 assists for 32 points in 281 games. In 32 OHL playoff games, he has 10 assists. Graves would win a Memorial Cup with the Knights in 2016.
Adirondack also made a trade on Friday, sending Ryan Conroy to Atlanta for future considerations.
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