Former Ferris State Hockey Defensemen Binkley & Lowney To Continue Careers In ECHL

Big Rapids, Mich. - Two former Ferris State University men's ice hockey standouts will continue their professional careers this coming season in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) as the Fort Wayne Komets announced today (June 19) they have agreed to terms with defensemen Jason Binkley and Ryan Lowney.

Binkley and Lowney joined forward Mason Baptista as the first names to appear on the 66th Fort Wayne anniversary roster as the trio agreed to new contracts and are slated to return for the 2017-18 campaign.

Binkley, 25, appeared in 67 games with Fort Wayne this past year, scoring seven goals and 44 points while adding a goal and three points in 10 playoff games. The 2017-18 season will be his third full year since making his professional debut in the ECHL with South Carolina near the end of 2014-15 after finishing his fourth season of collegiate action with Ferris State. Binkley logged 45 ECHL games between Utah and Cincinnati in 2015-16 before joining Fort Wayne for the 2016-17 campaign. The defenseman has scored ECHL totals of nine goals and 53 points in 119 games.

Meanwhile, Lowney made his pro debut this past season, skating 14 games at the end of year with the Komets where he collected a goal and six points in regular-season action prior to dishing four assists in eight playoff games. The Redford native completed his four-year stint with Ferris State as a senior in 2016-17 and recorded collegiate totals of seven goals and 58 points in 158 games with the Bulldogs.

"All three players announced today will be important contributing players for the Komets next season," Komet general manager David Franke said. "Jason Binkley and Ryan Lowney will be important defensemen who we will look to for offense from the blue line, five-on-five and on the power play. Mason Baptista has the potential to score 20-plus goals in this league with regular ice time. It's a good start to the Komets' recruiting season."

Opening night for the 66th season of Komet Hockey is slated for Saturday, Oct. 14, in Fort Wayne against the Toledo Walleye.