WINDSOR, Colo. – The Colorado Eagles have announced the re-signing of a fan favorite from last season, left wing Alex Penner.
The younger brother of Eagles goalie Andrew Penner (the team’s all-time leader in wins), the 6′ 4″, 240-pound native of Simcoe, Ontario spent the first half of this season in England with the Nottingham Panthers (EIHL).
A renowned fighter, Penner managed to rack up a career high 291 penalty minutes in just 30 games (an average of nearly 10 PIM’s per game) before giving notice of his intention to leave the club. Penner reportedly said “there’s no one left to fight in the Elite League.” He also tallied nine points (4 G, 5 A) during his stay across the pond.
Penner left a fond farewell message to the fans in Nottingham on his Facebook fan page and also mentioned that he was excited to be heading back to Colorado to play alongside his brother and to play for Eagles General Manager & Head Coach Chris Stewart.
Stewart has made numerous personnel changes in his first season back as the Eagles bench boss. The addition of Penner adds needed size and toughness to the Colorado roster, who has been dependent upon veteran defenseman Jason Beatty to police the ice.
“Alex has returned to the Eagles intent on not only continuing to provide a physical presence, but to improve his overall game and skill set, with his ultimate goal being to make it to the top level of professional hockey,” Stewart said.
Known as “Weapon X” amongst the fans at the Budweiser Events Center, Penner scored a career-high five goals and added seven assists for 12 points last season. He was also assessed a then career-high 222 penalty minutes.
Penner’s career began in the Ontario Hockey League with the Guelph Storm where he played 11 games during the 2004-05 season. He joined the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds the following season and it was there that he began to establish his “tough guy” credentials. In 51 games played during the regular season, he registered three points (1 G, 2 A) and 127 PIM.
Penner split the 2006-07 season playing with the Restigouche Junior A Tigers, in the MJAHL, and Niagara Falls of the Golden Horseshoe League. In a combined 36 games, he contributed 37 points (15 G, 22 A) and 134 PIM, continuing to gain a reputation as a big hitter.
Going pro in 2007-08, Penner signed with the Laredo Bucks and followed with his second season with the ECHL’s Johnstown Chiefs. During his time with Johnstown, he was called up for a total of eight games with the American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters where he tallied 22 PIM. Penner is scheduled to join the Eagles’ roster on Friday night when the team opens a weekend series against the Odessa Jackalopes at the Budweiser Events Center. Contact the author at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at les.stockton@prohockeynews.com
