Justin Kinnunen re-signs with the Texas Brahmas

Dynamic defenseman to return for the 2008-09 campaign

Texas Brahmas fans are happy to hear that defenseman Justin Kinnunen has re-signed with the team for the 2008-09 campaign. Kinnunen, 27, returns to the Brahmas for his fifth professional season.

The Negaunee, MI native represented the Brahmas in the CHL All-Star Game and led all Brahmas defenseman in scoring last season. Kinnunen played in all 64 regular season contests and scored 43 points (11 G, 32 A) with 88 penalty minutes served.

Kinnunen was an integral part of the Brahmas post-season success helping to shut down the opposition's powerplay and setting up six powerplay goals. He played in all 14 games, tallying nine points (2 G, 7 A).

After four years of NCAA hockey with the Northern Michigan University Wildcats, Kinnunen went professional, finishing the 2003-04 season with the Dayton Bombers (ECHL) putting up five points (2 G, 3 A) in five games played. He returned to the Bombers for the 2004-05 season and notched 29 points (9 G, 20 A) over the course of 56 games.

Kinnunen traveled to Europe for the 2004-05 season, splitting his time between the Seinäjoen Hockey team in Finland and the Briançon Alpes Provence Hockey Club in France.

In 2006-07, Kinnunen returned to the United States to play in the United Hockey League (UHL). He played 18 games for the Flint Generals and 52 games for the Muskegon Fury. In 70 games played for the two teams, Kinnunen scored 21 points (5 G, 16 A).

Kinnunen joins Craig Minard, Mike Vellinga, Chris Mann and Kevin McLeod on the 2008-09 defensive squad. Matt Hanson has been spotted at NYTEX so we assume he will attend training camp. The status of Tim Laurila has not been determined.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith