Cottonmouths invite pair of forwards to training camp

The Columbus Cottonmouths announced the signing of announced the signing of two forwards to tryout agreements on Friday.

Both would be rookies for the Snakes after four years of playing in college.

Chris Rial just completed his career at St. Norbert's College in De Pere, Wisc. The Las Vegas native scored 50 points in his career with 27 goals and 23 assists.

"Chris is being recruited as a power forward for us," Columbus coach Jerome Bechard said. "He's a big body out there, and I expect that he will have a large presence on the ice."

Andrew Kolb played at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where former Snakes Brian Idalski, Mick Kempffer, Kevin Plager and Derek Marchand all played. Kolb, a Toledo, Ohio, native, scored 58 points (25 goals and 33 assists.

In junior hockey, Kolb tallied 130 points (55 games and 75 assists) in two seasons.

"Kolb's junior hockey performance is impressive," Bechard said. "When you pair that with his experience in one of the top Division III schools in the country, Kolb will be expected to be responsible defensively and will look to add some scoring punch as well."

The Snakes open training camp on Oct. 14 with the first game on Oct. 23.

"We are very excited to get these players here for a tryout," Bechard said. "Both of these guys come from great schools and really know how to get the puck in the net. We're really looking forward to seeing first-hand what these guys can do on the ice."

The Snakes currently have two players on the roster -- forwards Craig Simchuk and Patrick McCadden.

This story was originally published August 7, 2015 at 10:35 PM with the headline "Cottonmouths invite pair of forwards to training camp ."