Peoria Rivermen Sign Defenseman Michael Ferrandino
The Rivermen added the veteran defenseman to the roster following a professional tryout stint.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Hockey
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The Peoria Rivermen announced the signing of 26-year-old defenseman Michael Ferrandino on Wednesday. The move follows the decision to place left wing Cooper Board on the 14-day injured reserve list.
Why it matters
The team aims to bolster its defensive unit with the addition of Ferrandino, who brings previous experience with the organization. This roster adjustment allows the team to maintain depth during a critical stretch of the season.
Ferrandino stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 190 pounds, bringing experience from 19 games played for the Worcester ECHL team during the 2025-26 season. He previously appeared in 15 regular-season and 4 postseason games for Peoria during the 2024-25 season.
The players
Michael Ferrandino
He is a 26-year-old defenseman who formerly captained the Augsburg University hockey team.
Cooper Board
He is a left wing currently sidelined on the 14-day injured reserve list.
Peoria Rivermen
This is a professional hockey team based in Peoria, Illinois, that competes at Carver Arena.
The details
Ferrandino joins the Rivermen after concluding a professional tryout with Indy. Before his pro career, he served as team captain at Augsburg University, where he played 77 games over three seasons.
Timeline
Wednesday, October 28, 2026: The team signed Michael Ferrandino.
Friday, October 30, 2026: The team plays against Pee Dee at Carver Arena.
Season Trajectory
The addition of an experienced defenseman helps maintain competitive balance during a dense two-game series stretch. This move suggests the team is prioritizing defensive stability to secure points as the early-season schedule intensifies at home.
Fans can expect to see Ferrandino on the ice for the upcoming two-game set at Carver Arena. The placement of Cooper Board on the 14-day injured reserve list means he will be unavailable for team selection until at least mid-November.
The takeaway
Depth signings like Ferrandino provide coaching staffs with tactical flexibility during periods of injury. Teams that successfully manage their injured reserve rotations often see more consistent performance throughout the full regular season.
What happens next
The Rivermen play a two-game series against Pee Dee starting Friday, October 30, 2026, at Carver Arena.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit the Peoria Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Indianapolis Star.
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