Bears Announce New Additions

March 29, 2024

As the 2024 AIHL season approaches, the Sydney Bears announced several new additions to the lineup to aid in the quest for the Goodall Cup. Included in the additions is the team's first import signing of the season.

Earlier this month, the team announced it had secured the services of six new local players. Defensemen Tyrone Oxlade and Mac Tutton, both with the Australian U18 Men's team earlier this month, and forward Eugene Ju were the first announcements.

A few days later, the club revealed defenseman Jeremy Granger and forwards Max Portnov and Joseph Braun had also been signed.

Captain Ryan Annesley is excited about the signings and said, "The Bears wanted to add some depth and some youth to the organisation this off-season. We were able to do so while also adding some skill and six character guys. We are very excited to see them progress throughout this year and beyond", Annesley concluded.

Another new addition to the team, announced earlier this week, is skilled forward Jake Riley. The 23-year-old forward has represented the Australian national team at junior levels, and has already played in 84 AIHL games.

With more opportunities to showcase his electrifying play and scoring touch, look for Riley to have a breakout season offensively with the Bears.

Finally, the Bears announced earlier today the team's first import signing of the 2024 season, Samuli Vainionpää. Vainionpää is a Finnish born forward who has played for Finland's U20 national team.

So far Vainionpää has played in Finland and France and has a reputation as an excellent two-way centreman. Vainionpää will be arriving in Australia in the next week, and, all going well, should be at the Bear's Season Launch event at The Ranch Hotel on Wednesday, April 3.

There is also going to be an exclusive special announcement made at the event that you do not want to miss.

If you have been thinking of coming on board as either a sponsor or purchasing a season membership now is a great opportunity to do so (Click here for the link to purchase).

Members and sponsors will need to RSVP by Monday, April 1 to attend the event and meet the team. If you are already a member or sponsor, you can either contact the team to RSVP over socials, or send an email to karen.thomson@sydneybears.com.

Article by Gordon Goodenough

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