ECHL: Jacksonville Icemen Bolster Blue Line with Two New Faces

The Jacksonville Icemen are starting to get their blue line in order as they’ve announced the signings of defensemen Dilan Peters and Carter Allen for the 2024-25 season.

Peters, 23, has bounced around the ECHL in his first two seasons, spending time with the Wheeling Nailers, Newfoundland Growlers, Reading Royals, and Indy Fuel, where he’s put up five assists in 31 games but missed a lot of time last year with an injury before being released by the Fuel. Prior to going pro, the Sarnia, Ontario native spent two years in the NAHL with the Shreveport Mudbugs and St.Cloud Norsemen, putting up one goal and four assists for five points in 63 career games before playing just one season in USports with Lakehead University where he played 12 games but couldn’t find the scoresheet; however, he did pick up 65 minutes in penalties. Peters, 6’6, 220lbs, will not only bring size to the Jacksonville defensive core but will be a guy who won’t be afraid to throw his body around if needed.

Allen returns to North America after spending last season overseas in the UK with the Coventry Blaze, where he put up six assists in 45 games. The 27-year-old defenseman has played in 90 ECHL games, spending time with the South Carolina Stingrays and Cincinnati Cyclones, where he’s put up one goal and 12 assists for 13 points. Prior to going pro, the Lambton Shores Ontario native played three years at SUNY-Oswego, where he put up four goals and 18 assists for 22 points in 81 games. I would expect Allen to be a guy who could be a nice depth piece to the Jacksonville defensive core and could solidify a bottom-pairing spot.

The Icemen added two new faces to their blue line who have prior experience in the league but will bring different skill sets to the Icemen roster. These two signings bring Jacksonville’s roster up to 13 players for the 2024-25 season, with Allen and Peters being the third and fourth defensemen signed.