Owens’ rights traded to ECHL’s Missouri Mavericks

(March 11, 2015)- The Missouri Mavericks announced Wednesday afternoon that they have acquired defenseman Chris Owens from the Ontario Reign in exchange for forward Josh Brittain. Missouri also gained future considerations in the trade.

“Chris is a solid defenseman with the offensive capability to help our power play”, said Richard Matvichuk, Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations for the Missouri Mavericks. “He has had a great collegiate career at Acadia University and we are excited to get him in the lineup in the near future.”

The twenty-five year old St. John’s, Newfoundland native Owens, 25, appeared in training camp this season, first with the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps, and then with the ECHL’s Ontario Reign, before returning to Acadia University for a fifth and final year of CIS eligibility. He notched 4 goals and 16 assists through 25 games. Owens led all defenseman on Acadia’s roster in points (20) through their 2014-15 campaign. In his five season with the Axemen, Chris recorded 124 points in 134 regular season AUS games.

The Axemen defenseman was named to the AUS all-rookie team in 2010-11, and selected as a first team AUS all-star 3 times, and a second-team all Canadian in 2011-12. Owens and the Acadia Axemen lost their CIS University Cup quarterfinal berth last Friday, losing to UQTR by a 6-5 score in overtime.

“We are excited for Chris to get an opportunity at the pro level. He made an excellent decision to return for his fifth year and earn additional courses for his future while helping get the team back to Nationals”, said Acadia head coach Darren Burns, “He will do very well in the East Coach Hockey League and I look forward to following his progress.”

Prior to coming to Acadia University, Owens set career points records in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League with 258 points in just 213 games with the Miramichi Timberwolves.