>The Toronto Marlies have announced the signing of former RedHawk forward Joe Cooper. Here’s the excerpt from the official press release:

Cooper played five games with the Columbia Inferno last season, registering 12 penalty minutes. The 6’0, 200-pound defenceman skated in three games for Columbia in the 2008 ECHL playoffs and registered nine penalty minutes. The 23-year-old Toronto native was originally selected in the seventh round, 219th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Per club policy, terms were not disclosed.

At Miami, Cooper played in 145 games from 2003-2007, scoring 8 goals and 15 assists and serving as an alternate captain for a small part of his RedHawk career.

I must say I’m pleasantly surprised to see this move. I’ve always viewed Joe Cooper as an ECHL or CHL level talent. If he can draw some minutes with Toronto, then all the better things will be. It’s great for him to get some experience, especially at the AHL level. He’ll bring his tough nosed game to the Ricoh Coliseum night in and night out.

Congratulations Joe!

**On a side note, former UNO Maverick Juha Uotila was also signed by the Toronto Marlies.**