Tesink, Kirkpatrick sign with new teams

Ryan Tesink has signed with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder.

The Thunder announced on Tuesday that they had come to terms with the 23-year-old forward. The team is affiliated with the Ottawa Senators.

Tesink spent last season with the ECHL’s Quad City Mallards and Alaska Aces, recording a combined nine goals and 19 assists in 65 games. The former Sea Dog and Saint John native has spent his entire professional career in the ECHL.

Meanwhile, former Sea Dogs forward Michael Kirkpatrick will have a new team this season, signing with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.

Playing in his first pro season last year, Kirkpatrick led the ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder in scoring, registering 29 goals and 31 assists in 72 games. He added two goals and seven assists in 12 playoff games.

The Everblades are affiliated with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Earlier this month, Alaska signed former Sea Dogs goaltender Jacob DeSerres. The 26-year-old played in 26 games with the Aces last year, going 6-8-2 with a 3.30 goals against average and .870 save percentage.

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