San Francisco, Calif. – The San Francisco Bulls Professional Hockey Team, proud affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, announced today the signing of right wing Chris Lawrence and defenseman Dylan King. The Bulls now have eight players on their inaugural 2012-13 roster.

Chris Lawrence

“Today is another big day for the Bulls, adding Chris and Dylan,” said Bulls President and Head Coach Pat Curcio. “Chris is a potent scorer, and we expect him to be big time producer for the Bulls this season. Dylan is a rock on defense. Having coached him in juniors, I know he is a true leader on and off the ice.”

Lawrence, 25, is one of the top gunners in the ECHL, having led Stockton in scoring in 2010-11 with 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists) in 57 games. In 2010-11, he also played in eight games with Worcester and Houston of American Hockey League (AHL). The 6-foot, 4-inch, 210-pound sniper returns to the ECHL after spending last season with Salzburg of Austria’s top division. A native of Toronto, Ontario, Lawrence spent most of his first three seasons professionally from 2008-10 with Norfolk of the AHL, where he totaled 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 173 games. A 2005 third-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Lawrence earned a Silver Medal representing Canada at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships in 2005. Prior to turning pro, Lawrence played five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), ranking second on Mississauga in points with 88 in 64 games.

Dylan King

“It should be an exciting year, and I’m looking forward to getting back on the ice,” said Lawrence. “San Francisco will be a good city to be playing in. Pat is a quality guy, having seen him coach in London when I was in the OHL. I like the team he’s putting together this season.”

King, 22, enters his second year pro, having split last season between Allen of the Central Hockey League (CHL) and Lake Erie of the AHL. He played in eight games with Lake Erie. With Allen, King compiled eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) and 55 penalty minutes in 48 games. For his efforts, King competed in the CHL All-Star Game and was named to the All-Rookie Team. At the end of his junior career, the 6-foot, 1-inch, 193-poind blueliner played in the 2011 CHL playoffs for Allen, recording one assist in 13 contests. King captained Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL in 2010-11. A native of Thessalon, Ontario, King finished his OHL career with 44 points (11 goals, 33 assists) in 240 contests.

“I’m very excited and can’t wait to get started,” said King. “I’ve heard so many good things about San Francisco. I know Pat well having played under him in Sault Ste. Marie. He’s a good coach and I have confidence he’ll put together a strong team.”

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About the San Francisco Bulls
The San Francisco Bulls Professional Hockey Team will officially take the ice as an expansion team of the ECHL on October 12. The Bulls are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. The Bulls are part of the Western Conference of the ECHL, and will play a 72-game schedule with 36 home games to take place at the legendary Cow Palace. The ECHL’s Western Conference includes the following member teams and their NHL affiliates: Colorado Eagles (Winnipeg Jets), Idaho Steelheads (Dallas Stars), Utah Grizzlies (Calgary Flames), Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings), Stockton Thunder (Edmonton Oilers), Alaska Aces, Bakersfield Condors and Las Vegas Wranglers. For more information about The San Francisco Bulls, including Season Ticket opportunities and corporate partnerships, please visit http://sfbulls.com or call 415-469-9843.

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SF Bulls season tickets start as low as $12.50 a seat and include the first four games of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, savings on parking and special invitations to “Meet The Team” and Chalk Talk Events. Click here to find out more or call 415-469-9843.

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About the ECHL:
The ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states.  Today, the league has 23 teams in 16 states. The ECHL celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2012-13 and is the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League. The ECHL has had 234 players reach the NHL over the last seven seasons. It’s the primary developmental league for the NHL and the AHL. On opening day of the 2011-12 season, 83 former ECHL players were on NHL rosters. The ECHL teams are divided into the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. The Western Conference includes the Alaska Aces, Bakersfield Condors, Colorado Eagles, Idaho Steelheads, Las Vegas Wranglers, Stockton Thunder, Ontario Reign, Utah Grizzlies and now the San Francisco Bulls. All teams play a 72-game schedule. For more information please visit http://www.echl.com/

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Jason Lockhart
(415) 469-9843
JasonL@sfbulls.com