The Adirondack Thunder have announced that they have signed forward Ryan Francis to a contract for the 2024-25 season. The 22-year-old joins the Thunder after spending the past two seasons in the ECHL with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Trois-Rivieres Lions, putting up 32 goals and 36 assists for 68 points in 88 ECHL games. The former sixth-round pick of the Calgary Flames in 2020 has also played in 27 games in the AHL, putting up a goal and two assists for three points in 27 games with the Stockton Heat, Laval Rocket, and Ontario Reign. Francis is going to be a huge addition to the Thunder up front and will bring speed to the lineup, and is expected to see a lot of time on the PP for Adirondack next season.
“Ryan Francis is a proven point producer at the ECHL level, and a depth player at the AHL level,” said Head Coach Pete MacArthur. “He can make plays at top speed, is tenacious on the forecheck and is also willing to defend. We are excited about adding him into our top-six forward group!”
-Head Coach Pete MacArthur on the addition of Ryan Francis (Via Adirondack Thunder Press Release)
Prior to going pro, the Halifax, Nova Scotia native spent five seasons in the QMJHL with the Cape Breton Eagles and Saint John Sea Dogs, putting up 86 goals and 167 assists for 253 points in 269 games. Francis would win a Memorial Cup with the Sea Dogs in 2022. The signing of Francis now brings the Thunder roster up to 11 players, with six of those players being forwards.
