Friday, September 30, 2011

Gamblers Announce Roster

Press Release

On Thursday the Green Bay Gamblers announced their roster for the upcoming 2011-12 United States Hockey League season. The Gamblers will open the regular season on Saturday, October 1st, as they face off against the defending Clark Cup Champions Dubuque Fighting Saints at the Mystique Ice Center in Dubuque, Iowa. Face off is set for 7:05 PM. Fans can catch the game on-line at fasthockey.com.

Last year the Gamblers led the USHL in goals against, allowing a miniscule 2.18 goals per game. The tandem that put up those impressive numbers, Ryan Mckay and Adam Wilcox, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2011 NHL Draft, are both back for another campaign in the USHL. The duo of McKay and Wilcox finished with a combined .923 save percentage. Highly touted newcomer Michael Rotolo will also be looking for playing time in between the pipes.

Along the blueline the Gamblers coaching staff has put together a talent group of defensemen. Leading the way is Anaheim Ducks draft choice Andy Welinski. Welinski will be joined by veterans Markus Lauridsen, and team captain Max Hartner. Joining the four veterans are U.S. National Program alums Andy Ryan and Dakota Mermis, Brandon Kirk, who played in the pre-season last year for the Gamblers, and Minnesota high school standout Dan Molenaar.

Up front the Gamblers will be led by the forward line of Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Alex Broadhurst, Nolan LaPorte and Sam Herr. Last year the Broadhust, LaPorte and Herr line combined for 32 goals and 44 assists. Also returning to Green Bay for another season is David Goodwin, who was second only to Broadhurst in rookie scoring last year (9 goals & 17 assists), assistant captain Grant Arnold and local talent C.J. Eick.

The veterans will be joined by a very talented core of forwards. The Gamblers pipeline from Michigan midget hockey to Green Bay continues, as Sheldon Dries, Nicholas Schilkey and Alex Kile look to make an impact in their rookie campaign. The Gamblers also tapped into the Canadian and European talent pools, as Connor Honey from Edmonton, Alberta, Ville Jarvelainen, who hails from Finland and Russian born Grigory Dikushin will adorn the Gamblers sweater.

This past week the Gamblers made a pair of trades. Forward Nikita Sirotkin was dealt to the Sioux City Musketeers for future considerations and defenseman Mitch Witek was traded to the Waterloo Black Hawks for an undisclosed draft pick.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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