MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs, ECHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, announced Thursday the signing of former Monarch, Dave Kolomatis, and the signing of Joe Diamond and Eric Neilson for the 2015-16 season.
Kolomatis, 26, a native of Livingston, N.J., played last season for Tappara Tampere (SM-liiga) in Finland, otherwise known as the Finnish Elite League. Kolomatis played in 45 games for Tappara Tampere, scoring 12 points on one goal and 11 assists.
The former Monarch (2009-13) registered 315 games in the AHL from 2008-2014, playing for the Providence Bruins, Hershey Bears and the Monarchs, scoring 140 points on 36 goals and 104 assists. During his time in Manchester, Kolomatis tallied 110 points on 29 goals and 81 assists in 250 games.
Before turning pro, Kolomatis played three seasons in the OHL for the Owen Sound Attack, scoring 111 points on 31 goals and 80 assists.
Diamond, 26, a native of Long Beach, N.Y., played in 11 games last season for the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL), scoring seven points on three goals and four assists.
The former University of Maine (H-East) Black Bear skated in 135 games during his time on campus, collecting 59 goals and 45 assists for 104 points, while earning 467 penalty minutes. Diamond’s best statistical season came in 2011-12, when he put up 25g-22a-47pts in 37 games and 117 PIMs.
Diamond has three years of professional experience, splitting time between the AHL and ECHL. Diamond played in 47 games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers from 2012-14, scoring 17 points on nine goals and eight assists. Diamond also played in 11 games for the Stockton Thunder (ECHL) in 2013-14, scoring one goal and eight assists for nine points.
Neilson, 31, a native of Fredericton, New Brunswick, played 20 games last season for the Syracuse Crunch (AHL). The right wing was the 143rd overall player drafted in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, and has played in 280 AHL games since 2007 with the Peoria Rivermen, Hamilton Bulldogs, San Antonio Rampage, Norfolk Admirals, and Syracuse Crunch.
Prior to his AHL experience, Neilson played three seasons in the ECHL for the Bakersfield Condors, Long Beach Ice Dogs, and Alaska Aces. In his professional career spanning 10 seasons, Neilson has recorded 100 penalty minutes or above eight times.
Kolomatis, Diamond, Neilson and the Monarchs will open the season at home on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. as they host the Brampton Beast at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Individual-game tickets for Opening Night are on sale now!
Visit us at manchestermonarchs.com, follow the team @MonarchsHockey, and like us on Facebook for additional information.
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