Former Junior Monarch Ian O’Connor becomes A.H.L. Manchester Monarch

Manchester —Monarchs Press Release: The Manchester Monarchs, the primary affiliate of the 2012 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings, have signed forwards Kris Belan and Ian O’Connor to professional tryout agreements, Monarchs Director of Hockey Operations Hubie McDonough announced today.

Belan, 26, has registered eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points and 130 penalty minutes in 55 games for the ECHL’s San Francisco Bulls this season. The six-foot-two, 200-pound forward leads the Bulls in penalty minutes (130) and is seventh in points with 20. Belan has appeared in 68 career ECHL games registering 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points and 146 penalty minutes for the Toledo Walleye and Bulls. The Florence, Ontario native played five years for the CIS’s University of Guelph Gryphons recording 58 goals and 41 assists for 99 points and 415 penalty minutes in 131 games from 2007-2012. Belan will don No. 43 for the Monarchs.

O’Connor, 25, has registered 18 goals and 13 assists for 31 points and 38 penalty minutes for the ECHL’s Reading Royals this season. The six-foot, 200-pound forward is second on the Royals in goals with 18 and is tied for seventh in points with 31. O’Connor has appeared in 122 ECHL games registering 37 goals and 27 assists for 64 points and 99 penalty minutes for the ECHL’s Stockton Thunder and Royals. The Londonderry, New Hampshire native played four years for the NCAA’s Providence College Friar’s recording 26 goals and 36 assists for 62 points and 102 penalty minutes in 135 games from 2007-2011. O’Connor played in 171 games for the EJHL’s New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs collecting 40 goals and 54 assists for 94 points and 102 penalty minutes. O’Connor will don No. 24 for the Monarchs.

The Monarchs travel to play the St. John’s IceCaps at MileOneCentre on Friday, March 1 at 6:00 p.m.