HOUSTON – Houston Aeros President and General Manager Dave Barr announced today the team has signed defenseman Darryl McArthur to a professional try-out contract.



McArthur, 24, joins the Aeros from the Austin Ice Bats (Central Hockey League). He has played in 32 games with the Ice Bats, collecting seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points and 82 penalty minutes. He was recently named to the CHL All-Star Team scheduled for January 23rd in Oklahoma City, Okla.



The Oshawa, Ontario-native spent his rookie season with Austin in 2001-02. In 64 games, he had 6-6-12 and 123 penalty minutes. He added 2-4-6 in 15 playoff games. McArthur joined Austin late in the 2000-01 season to make his pro debut in seven games. He collected four assists. He played two seasons at the University of New Brunswick. In 38 games, he had 2-11-13. Prior to playing college hockey, he spent four seasons with the Guelph Storm (Ontario Hockey League). He played in 200 games with Guelph, tallying 9-69-78.



McArthur joins the Aeros for tonight’s game against the Chicago Wolves at Compaq Center. Game time is 7:00 PM. Tomorrow Houston hosts the Cleveland Barons at 7:30 PM. The first 4,000 fans will receive a Chilly Bobble Head.