Flyers sign a pair

-Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed 6'3, 215-pound free agent left wing Kyle Greentree and 5'11", 190-pound forward Jonathan Matsumoto to entry-level contracts. Both players will report to the Flyers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms.

"Yesterday (March 14), we signed two collegiate players, Jonathan Matsumoto and Kyle Greentree, to entry-level contracts," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren in making the announcement. "Matsumoto was our third round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft (79th overall selection). He was a junior at Bowling Green University and was their leading scorer this past season. He decided to leave college after his junior year and enter the professional ranks. He felt that it was time to move on and we are excited to have him. He is in town now and practicing with the Phantoms. Hopefully, he will be able to play this weekend for the Phantoms.

"The other young man is Kyle Greentree, who played at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Kyle also was a junior who decided to leave school after his junior year. He felt that he was ready to move on as well. Kyle is a great big left wing, who moves well and was his team's leading scorer.

"We are excited about having both of these guys in our system. Both of their contracts are entry level and their terms start on July 1, 2007. They are just coming in now basically on try-out contracts and will go to the Phantoms."

Greentree, 23, recorded 21 goals and 20 assists for 41 points and 74 penalty minutes in 38 games for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks this past season. He led the Nanooks in goals (21), points (41), penalty minutes (74) and shots (195). He was tied for first on the team in assists (20) and power play goals (10). This was the third consecutive season that Greentree led the Nanooks in scoring.

A native of Victoria, British Columbia, he finished tied for eighth in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association in conference scoring with 30 points (18G,12A) in 28 games. His 18 goals in conference games were tied for the second most in the CCHA. Greentree received Honorable Mention for the 2006-07 CCHA All-Conference Teams.

In three seasons with the Nanooks (2004-05 through 2006-07), Greentree registered 41 goals and 59 assists for 100 points and 163 penalty minutes in 114 games. He received Honorable Mention for the CCHA All-Rookie Team following the 2004-05 season.

Matsumoto, 20, recorded 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points and 70 penalty minutes in 38 games for the Bowling Green State University Falcons this past season. He led the Falcons in assists (22), points (33) and shots (127). He was second on the team in goals (11) and penalty minutes (70). His 17 assists in 28 conference games were tied for seventh in the CCHA.

In three seasons with the Falcons (2004-05 through 2006-07), Matsumoto registered 49 goals and 64 assists for 113 points and 135 penalty minutes in 110 games. He received Honorable Mention to the CCHA All-Rookie Team following the 2004-05 season after becoming just the third freshman in Falcons history to lead the team in scoring with 32 points (18G,14A).

A native of Orleans, Ontario, Matsumoto was drafted by the Flyers in the third round (79th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.