KILLER BEES BOLSTER DEFENSIVE CORPS

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, proud affiliates of the Florida Panthers and San Antonio Rampage, announced on Monday the signing of a pair of defensemen for the 2011-12 season. The Bees have signed Ryan Jorde (6’3, 216) and James Isaacs (6’1, 209) for the upcoming campaign.

Jorde comes to the Bees after playing in Europe the last two seasons in both the Elite International Hockey League (EIHL) in the United Kingdom and the Ligue Magnus (France). Before his stints overseas Jorde played seven seasons in North America.

A 2001 NHL Draft pick by the Buffalo Sabres, Jorde started his professional career with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League where he played for three seasons. Following the three seasons in Rochester Jorde suited up for the Danbury Trashers and Ft. Wayne Komets of the United Hockey League (UHL) and the Lowell Lock Monsters and Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL.
From 2006 to 2009 Jorde played in the UHL and International Hockey League (IHL) with the Flint Generals and Muskegon Lumberjacks. All told Jorde has 129 games at the AHL level and an additional 246 games of ‘AA’ hockey spread across the ECHL, UHL and IHL.

“Ryan is going be a real leader on this team,” said Killer Bees General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. “He is experienced with all facets of the game and is also a tough customer. He brings a high level of maturity to the blue line.”

Isaacs comes to the Killer Bees from the University of British Columbia. Before that Isaacs suiting up for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and Powell River Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League. Isaacs scored one goal for UBC in only five games and previously with Fort McMurray scored eight goals with 27 assists in his final junior season.

“James is a character player who brings a physical element to our blue line along with strong playmaking instincts,” said Ruskowski. “He is the kind of player that will develop into a leader in the future.”