MACON, GA- The Macon Mayhem and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Kerr announced this afternoon the re-signing of two key pieces of the team’s defensive corps, Eric Shand and Kristaps Nimanis.

“Signing both Shand and Nimo is massive for our team next season. They were two of the final pieces to our championship puzzle last season, and after the joined our team, our defensive group was extremely solid from top to bottom,” said Kerr. “Both guys are very reliable two-way defensemen who bring size, good positioning, and good puck moving skills to our lineup.”

Shand, who turned 25 today, came to the Mayhem in March after completing his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin-Superior (NCAA Division III). In 22 games for the Mayhem between the regular season and playoffs, the 6-2, 205-pound defenseman had two points and was plus-eight. In four seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, the native of San Dimas, California played in 112 games – scoring 16 goals and recording 40 assists.

Nimanis, 24, was also a very important pickup late in the season for the Mayhem. The Liepaja, Latvia native was signed by the Mayhem on April 8, the last day of the regular season last year, after playing 15 games for the Fayetteville FireAntz. In his short stint with Fayetteville, Nimanis scored two goals, tallied four assists, and was plus-13. After signing with the Mayhem, he played just one regular season game, but he played in all seven of the team’s playoff games. The 6-1, 210-pound defenseman recorded one assist and was plus-two during the Mayhem’s championship run.

Single game tickets are for all 28 Macon Mayhem home games are on sale now through the Macon Coliseum Box Office or at ticketmaster.com. Season ticket plans and group tickets for the are available through the Macon Mayhem Front Office. For ticket information, please visit MaconMayhem.com or call the main office line at (478) 803-1592. 

ABOUT THE MACON MAYHEM:

The Macon Mayhem is a proud member of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). The team won the President’s Cup Championship last season, bringing the city of Macon their first professional hockey championship ever and the city’s first professional sports championship since 1962. The team is owned by Bob and Diane Kerzner and managed by Director of Hockey Operations, General Manager, and Head Coach Kevin Kerr, a former third-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres. For more information on the Macon Mayhem, visit www.MaconMayhem.com, or follow the team on Twitter (www.twitter.com/MaconMayhem), Instagram (www.instagram.com/maconmayhem), or ‘like’ the Mayhem on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MaconMayhemHockey).