Dillon Kelley joins SPHL's Peoria

by Casey Bryant

Goaltender Dillon Kelley is headed back to the SPHL with the Peoria Rivermen. The 25-year-old netminder was a stalwart in net for the Hat Tricks, posting a 5-1-0 record with a 3.44 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.

Kelley was 13-14-3 last year as a starting goaltender for the SPHL's Fayetteville Marksmen, at one point earning himself a call-up to the ECHL. He now joins a Rivermen team that recently lost their goaltender Jeremy Brodeur to KMH Budapest in Erste Liga. 

"Dillon is a really good pro on and off the ice," Hat Tricks head coach/general manager Billy McCreary commented. "It's great to see him earn more opportunities through his own hard work and perseverance, and we're looking forward to him having the same impact at the next level."

This is the third Hat Tricks player to earn a promotion to the SPHL, with forward Sam Williams joining Pensacola and defenseman Kyle Gonzalez signing with Roanoke earlier this season. 

Tom McGuckin is the likely starter for Friday night's contest against the Delaware Thunder. McGuckin has won his last two appearances, besting both the Battle Creek Rumble Bees and the Elmira Enforcers in a relief effort. He was a perfect 32-for-32 on save opportunities in two full periods in last Saturday's matchup in Elmira.