New defenseman, plus a Chad Starling update.

Vincent LoVerde is the Reign’s newest defenseman. The rookie out of Miami (Ohio) University averaged 1.5 goals and 7.5 assists in his four-year college career, which ended when the top-seeded RedHawks were upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament in March.

LoVerde wasn’t at practice Thursday but Jason Christie said he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow night in Las Vegas. Eddie DelGrosso, who was claimed off waivers Wednesday, wasn’t at practice either and was still awaiting a physical. Christie is hopeful that DelGrosso can play, too.

Just to recap, then:

Jason Fredricks, Pat Bowen, Dylan Yeo, Chad Starling, Jordan Hill and Adrian van de Mosselaer signed over the summer. Jeff MacPhee, Iain McPhee and Travis Gawryletz signed during training camp. Steven Tarasuk, Mike Montgomery, Philippe Seydoux, JP Cote, Eddie DelGrosso and Vincent LoVerde either signed or were acquired through trade since the regular season began.

So even though the Reign have skated the same six defensemen in their first two regular-season games, 15 different blueliners have been under contract to the team since July 1.

Fifteen. Through two games. Let that sink in.

What’s more, because the injured reserve list is bursting at the seams, Starling might not play a game for the Reign this season.

“That’s something we’ve got to look at,” Christie said, asked if there’s enough room for Starling on the active roster. “With the injuries and stuff like that – Bowen should be skating – definitely (Starling) is a guy who’s played in this league. He’s played here the last couple years. To get him down here, get him skating, will be good.”

Christie said that Starling’s B-1 (work) visa has been approved. The defenseman, in a phone interview from Saskatchewan, said the team hasn’t sent him the paperwork he needs to cross the U.S.-Canadian border.

“I’ve got my truck packed,” he said. “I’ve had it packed for three weeks, ready to go. I don’t know what’s going on.”

Starling was placed on 7-day IR when the Reign submitted their opening-day roster. We’ll have updates as we get ’em.

No line changes in practice Thursday, although there were two fewer goalies. Dustin Carlson and Jase Weslosky were working out off the ice while J-F Berube and Darcy Kuemper took all the reps at Ice Town in Riverside.

“Berube’s going to be playing tomorrow,” Christie said. “We just want to make sure they’re getting shots if they need it.”

More in tomorrow’s editions of the Sun and Daily Bulletin.