Wes Cunningham Returning To ECHL

After a season in Norway, Dresden’s Wes Cunningham is returning to the East Coast Hockey League, a league he spent the three seasons prior playing. Cunningham signed with the Bakersfield Condors.

“I was looking for a change and of all the teams I talked to, Bakersfield had the best organization,” Cunningham said in a team news release. “I’ll bring experience, leadership, and I’ll look to lead by example. I’m more of an offensive-minded defenseman, but well-rounded and I’ll drop the gloves if needed. Whatever the team needs to have a good year.”

A former ECHL First Team All-Star, Cunningham also had short call ups to the American Hockey League in recent seasons. Last year, the 26-year-old defender scored 8 goals and 13 assists in 38 regular season games, and 10 points in 7 playoff games with Lorenskog in Norway.

Cunningham has played 6 professional season between the ECHL and AHL, experience head coach Tory Mann values,

“He’s still young, just 26 years old, but a veteran with 271 games, and a guy who can develop further as a player. He’s a number one defenseman who will anchor our power play. He’s motivated to get to the next level and rightfully so.”

Bakersfield is the ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, who feature Chatham’s Ryan Jones.