Worcester Signs Pederson to AHL Contract
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, announced rookie defenseman Jody Pederson, a former Princeton standout, has been loaned from the Thunder to the Worcester Sharks of theAmerican Hockey League on a professional tryout agreement (PTO).
Pederson, acquired by the Thunder from Elmira on Feb. 4 in exchange for goaltender Garrett Zemlak, has collected one goal and one assist in 31 games for the Thunder and Elmira this season. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound defenseman heads to the AHL for the second time this season after being signed to a tryout contract with Worcester on Dec. 1.
He put up three assists in seven games with the Sharks and made his pro debut last season with the Providence Bruins on an amateur tryout contract, skating in two games with a +2 rating.
The Smithers, British Columbia native skated in 128 career games in college through four seasons (2006-10) with Princeton University (NCAA), scoring 58 points (12g-46a) and 12 goals with 82 penalty minutes. He earned All-Ivy (first team) honors as a 2008-09 junior, when he scored a career-high 19 points (5g-14a) in 35 games with the Tigers.
