GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – The Adirondack Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, announced that they have signed defenseman Gabriel Verpaelst to a contract for the 2019-20 season.

Verpaelst, 25, joins Adirondack after playing with the Wichita Thunder and Utah Grizzlies in 2018-19, where he played in 32 games between the two teams with eight points (3g-5a) and 63 penalty minutes.

As a member of the Colorado Eagles during the 2017-18 season, Verpaelst netted 27 points (7g-20a) and racked up 154 penalty minutes in 66 games of regular-season action. The Sherbrooke, Quebec native’s playoff performance helped him, and his team, capture the Kelly Cup. Verpaelst had six points (2g-4a) and 75 penalty minutes in 19 games during the postseason. One of his two goals in the playoffs was the championship-clinching goal in game seven against the Florida Everblades. The strike came at the 17:31 mark of the third period and the Eagles would hold on to win 3-2, securing their second straight Kelly Cup championship.

Verpaelst’s other ECHL experience includes stints with the Norfolk Admirals and the Bakersfield Condors. He also skated in eight games in the American Hockey League between the Stockton Heat and San Antonio Rampage.

Verpaelst laced up for Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he played for four seasons. In his time in the QMJHL, Verpaelst had 66 points (21g-45a) and 527 penalty minutes in 262.