C.J SIGNS UP FOR 23/24 SEASON!
NEXT HOME GAME: Tickets for our pre-season fixture on Saturday 16th September 2023 are available online HERE, by calling 0161-926-8782 or in person at the Planet Ice Box Office! Doors open 6PM for a 7PM start.
Manchester Storm are delighted to announce the signing of defencemen C.J Garcia, most recently of ASC Corona Brasov (Erste Liga & Romania).
The 27-year-old blueliner arrives in Manchester with plenty of experience and a solid resume. Garcia played major junior hockey in the highly competitive OHL for Barrie Colts; Guelph Storm and Saginaw Spirit – mixing with multiple current NHL players in the process.
Upon the conclusion of 2016-17 campaign, Garcia would take his first step into professional hockey with Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) and later continue with Colorado Eagles (ECHL). By early 2018, the defencemen swapped professional sport for academia – as he elected to study at Carleton University. During his time at university, Garcia would represent the hockey team on 68 occasions producing 33 points (7G 26A).
Four years later, Garcia would return to the professional ranks by signing with Anglet (France) for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. This stint aided Anglet to fight off relegation and maintain their status in the top-flight of French hockey.
The 2022-23 season saw Garcia representing ASC Corona Brasov alongside former Storm player Jared VanWormer, as well as multiple ex-EIHL players: Chase Schaber; Kevin Domingue and Connor Sills. This would prove to be a successful campaign for the franchise, as they won the Romanian Championship and finished 4th overall in the Erste Liga. In a combined 54 league appearances, Garcia had 25 points (5G 20A) and maintained a remarkable +32 over the two divisions.
Head Coach Matt Ginn commented on his latest recruit; “CJ is a big addition for us on the back end. He is a smooth skating, puck moving defenceman. He takes pride in the defensive zone and his skating allows him to effectively jump into the play offensively. CJ is another high character person who has been a captain throughout his career. I’m excited to add CJ and look forward to what he will bring to our group both on and off the ice.”
New signing C.J Garcia had this to say on his move to Manchester; “I am very excited about joining the Manchester Storm and looking forward to playing in front of the amazing fans they have! I can’t wait to get there and get things started in September.”
NEXT HOME GAME: Tickets for our pre-season fixture on Saturday 16th September 2023 are available online HERE, by calling 0161-926-8782 or in person at the Planet Ice Box Office! Doors open 6PM for a 7PM start.
