BRAMPTON, Ont. - The Brampton Beast, ECHL affiliate of the St. John's IceCaps and Montreal Canadiens, announced Tuesday the signing of Lake Superior State senior forward Daniel Vernace to a standard player contract.

A native of Toronto, Ont., Vernace appeared in 43 games during his collegiate debut with the Lakers and recorded five goals and two assists. As a senior in 2015-16 he appeared in four games.

The recipient of the team's Gay Blade Award in 2014-15, which honors the 'team comedian' or most positive player throughout the season, Vernace posted two goals and an assist during his junior season. Against Minnesota State last season, Vernace factored in both of the Lakers' scores with a goal and an assist during a 5-2 loss against the Mavericks.

In his fifth collegiate contest as a freshman in 2012-13, Vernace scored a pair of goals during a 7-3 loss to Bowling Green State.

In a separate transaction on Tuesday, the team also announced the reassignment of Daniel's brother, Mike Vernace, who had been playing for the American Hockey League's Stockton Heat. This season Mike has produced 28 points to rank in the top-20 among ECHL defensemen in scoring, despite missing 11 games during his five-games with the Heat.

Both Vernace brothers are expected to be in the lineup for the Beast as the team begins a six-game road trip starting Thursday, March 17 in Kalamazoo against the K-Wings at 7 p.m.

The Beast also currently feature notable former Lakers, Steven Kaunisto '10 (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) and Nick McParland '13. Ben Power '13 and Luke Sandler, another pair of former Lakers made brief appearances with the club this season but are no longer with the team. Former LSSU goaltender Kevin Kapalka '14 joined the Beast for a brief stint this season but did not appear in any games.