The Adirondack Thunder continue to build their newly revamped roster, as on Thursday, July 15th, they announced the signing of forward Colin Long. Long becomes the fourth forward to sign with the team for the upcoming season. Locking up their fourth player to a contract, it’s starting to like Adirondack is going the experienced route, as everyone they’ve signed so far brings plenty of experience along with them to Glens Falls.
Long Returns To North America
The California native returns to North American hockey for the first time since the 2012, as the righty has spent the last nine years competing in Germany, Finland, Italy and Austria. While in Italy in 2016-17, Long had his career-best season in the AlpsHL. Skating with Asiago, he played in 29 games, scoring 10 goals and 32 assists. Helping them en route to the postseason, Long, 32-years-old, would add 11 more points.
Prior to starting his professional journey, Long played four years of junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League. Making the playoffs in three of four seasons, he won a Memorial Cup championship in 2009 to round out his tenure. He went on to spend two seasons in the Phoenix Coyotes system after being picked in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Long didn’t put up great AHL numbers, however, had a solid season in 2010-11 with the Las Vegas Wranglers in the ECHL. There, he compiled 37 points, putting up 16 goals and 21 assists in 50 games.
Long is a new name to the Thunder, however, him and Pete MacArthur played together that season in Nevada. In Long, they get a two-way player, who is also capable of skating up the middle. However, he has faced injuries in the past, and one would hope those issues don’t rear their ugly head during the season, as Adirondack could use could benefit from his experience on the ice.
As we look ahead to what’s next for the Thunder, I’d like to see them either find a younger name up front or start adding to their blue line. I think their blue-line is going to be a major asset heading into next season, as they seem to have all the right pieces squared nicely in place when it comes to offensive production.