The Bloomington Bison continued their busy week as they’ve now announced six signings this week after signing forward Brett Budgell and defenseman Jake Murray to contracts for the 2024-25 season earlier today.
Budgell, 23, is entering his third season in the ECHL. He’s scored 30 goals and added 52 assists for 82 points in 116 games with the Newfoundland Growlers and Iowa Heartlanders. He also had four assists in 10 games during the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The St. Johns, Newfoundland native got his first taste of AHL action last season, as he had one assist in 19 games with the Iowa Wild. Prior to going pro, Budgell spent parts of five seasons in the QMJHL with the Charlottetown Islanders, where he put up 107 goals and 134 assists for 241 points in 270 games and served as Captain of the Islanders in his final two seasons with the Islanders. He would lead the QMJHL in assists during the 2020-21 season (43) and the following season, would be named the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year.
Murray,22, is also entering his third season in the ECHL as he played in 28 career games with the Cincinnati Cyclones and Idaho Steelheads, scoring two goals and adding eight assists for 10 points. He also played in 19 games with the Texas Stars. Prior to going pro, he spent part of five seasons in the OHL after putting up 14 goals and 86 assists for 100 points in 257 games with the Guelph Storm and Kingston Frontenacs; he wore an “A” in his final four seasons in the OHL. The native of Mississauga, Ontario, is the seventh defenseman to sign with the Bison.
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