International Hockey Roundtable
Ex-Coyotes First-Rounder Re-Signs in Germany
Ex-Coyotes First-Rounder Re-Signs in GermanyHe played for the Iserlohn Roosters last season and, after spending the summer and a good portion of the autumn as a free agent, Canadian defenseman Brandon Gormley has re-signed with the DEL club through the end of this season.
“My family and I have felt very comfortable here and I’m happy to return to this place that breathes hockey,” said 32-year-old Gormley. “I want to do my part to ensure that together we can once again play the way that we did at the beginning of the year.”
“We would have liked to extend his contract after last season, but unfortunately we were unable to reach an agreement at first,” said Axel Müffeler, the Roosters' sports manager. “However, we never lost contact and we are very happy that we have now been able to agree on a contract.”
Originally from Murray River, PEI. Gormley played junior hockey for the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats and was the Phoenix Coyotes’ first-round choice, 13th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Gormley played 58 NHL games with the Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche, recording five assists and 20 penalty minutes, but he spent most of his time between 2012 and 2017 in the AHL. He also played in the systems of the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators.
Since 2017, Gormley has played in Sweden, Finland, Latvia and Russia and has had a couple tours of duty in Germany. Last season, he had 11 points and 26 penalty minutes for the Roosters in 31 DEL games.
“The advantages of this signing are obvious – Brandon has already proven himself here, he already knows a large part of our team and also the coaching staff,” Müffeler continued. “He can strengthen us immediately.”
The Roosters only have one regulation win through their first 11 games this season and currently sit 13th in the 14-team DEL with 10 points. The most recognizable name on the team's roster, Jake Virtanen, only has two points through 11 games but the team's top scorer so far, ex-Islander Michael Dal Colle, has nine points.
Gormley might make his season debut on Friday night at home against Adler Mannheim.
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