It’s two months and thirteen days away from the next Icemen game, but who is counting anyway? To add to the anticipation of a new hockey season just around the bend, the Icemen have announced another return to the team’s roster. Forward Easton Brodzinski has agreed to terms for a one-year deal with the team. Brodzinski is now the ninth player to return to the Icemen roster in the upcoming season and the seventh forward to be signed by the team.
Brodzinski’s return for the 2023-24 season will mark his sophomore year in an Icemen uniform. Prior to joining the Icemen squad last season, the forward played in one game for the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack. Brodzinski played in 45 contests for the Icemen last season after completing his college career at St. Cloud State University. In those 45 games, Brodzinski posted 22 points, including eight goals and 14 assists. During five seasons with the St. Cloud State Huskies, Brodzinski racked up 125 points through 176 games, amassing 67 goals and 58 assists. Already a proven warrior, Brodzinski battled back to play his fifth year in St. Cloud after a clean break of his right leg during tournament play in the 2020-21 season. His efforts upon his return to the Huskies line-up earned him a Hobey Baker nomination in 2022, the award given to the top collegiate hockey athlete that demonstrates excellent character both on and off the ice.
With the return of Brodzinski, the Icemen’s 2023-24 roster now contains 12 names. 75% of those names are ones Icemen fans will be familiar with, as nine of the twelve roster spots are occupied by players who played in Jacksonville last season. A handful of players have signed to play in Europe for the 2023-24 season, including sniper Ara Nazarian. With an excellent vision on the ice and goal-scoring capabilities, a player like Easton Brodzinski will be expected to fill in the holes left by critical roster shake-ups. If he is deployed in a way that plays to his offensive strengths, Brodzinski is sure to be a vital component of a revamped forward group for the Icemen’s upcoming season.
