Kansas City Mavericks is ramping up the roster for the upcoming season with three more signings and, adding one returning player and bringing in two new guys to the roster. Kansas City last season was first rounded by Allen Americans in the playoffs; hopefully, these couple more signings will build the team that will make it to the finals this upcoming season and bring the trophy to Kansas City.
Let’s talk about the first one with two new guys joining the team. 6’5 defenseman Ryan Devine has spent most of his pro career in the SPHL, FPHL, and FHL leagues. Ryan is also the 2023 Ice Wars King of the Rink. Devine spent last season with the Knoxville Ice Bears, putting up two goals and 14 assists in 36 games and adding 186 minutes in penalties. Kansas City Mavericks General Manager & Head Coach Tad O’Had had some very good words to say about Ryan. ” Pound for Pound, Ryan was the toughest player in the SPHL last season. He recently won the Ice Wars competition and plays a rugged defensive game. He is mobile, handles the puck well, and has a nice skill set. He stands up for his teammates and adds toughness to our blue line. We believe Ryan has major upside and are looking for great things out of this season.”
The next signing the Mavericks made is Defenseman 6’2 CJ Valerian. CJ is coming off winning the 2023 SPHL championship with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs. Valerian joins the Mavericks after playing two seasons with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs. CJ appeared in 70 games in the two seasons he was with the Rail Yard Dawgs, putting up 27 points ( eight goals and 19 assists). Before joining the Rail Yard Dawgs, CJ spent his college days at Hobart College for one year and four years at New England College. In his college days, he appeared in 82 games in his five years in college hockey. Also, he put up 31 points ( Seven goals and 24 assists) in his college days. Kansas City Head Coach O’Had had these words to say about Cj. ” CJ was a mainstay on the blue line for Roanoke last season, helping lead them to a SPHL Championship. He has really developed his pro game over the last two seasons and is looking to take the next step. We feel his work ethic, character, and coaching ability will be an asset to the Mavericks.”
The last signing the Mavericks did is bring back goaltender Dillon Kelley. Kelley is rejoining the Mavericks for the third time. Last season, Kelley appeared in 14 games with a record of 6-3-1 with a 3.53 GAA and a .884 save percentage. Kelley first joined the Mavericks back in the 21-22 season on a loan from Macon Mayhem (SPHL ) but only appeared in one game for the Mavericks before getting traded to Rapid City Rush, where he finished out the season with that year with a call up to Henderson Silver Knights (AHL) where he appeared in 4 games with one shutout in his books. Mavericks Head Coach O’Had has some words to say about the return of Kelley. “Dillon came up big last year when we needed him. DK has a great deal of knowledge and has shown he can be an excellent goalie at the ECHL level. We expect him to take control and show us how great he can be this upcoming season.”
With 51 days till the Mavericks first game of the 2023-2024 season, the Mavericks are getting ready to push past the drought of getting first-round in the playoffs and add men to this team that can push past that and bring back a championship to Kansas City.
