Gamblers Announce Training Camp Roster

Press Release

On Tuesday the Green Bay Gamblers announced their training camp roster. The players listed on the team’s 25-man protected list will report to Green Bay on Sunday, September 12. The first practice is set for Tuesday, September 14. The team will play a total of six exhibition games with the lone home game set for Tuesday, September 20.

The Gamblers 25-man protected list boasts three NHL draft picks, along with 15 players committed to NCAA Division I institutions.

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 have put together a talent group of defensemen. Leading the way is Anaheim Ducks defenseman Andy Welinski. Welinski will be joined by veterans Markus Lauridsen, team captain Max Hartner and Mitch Witek. 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, local talent C.J. Eick, and Moscow, Russia native Nikita Sirotkin.

The veterans will be joined by a very talented core of forwards. The Gamblers pipeline from Michiganmidget 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 European talent pool, as Ville Jarvelainen, who hails from Finland and Russian born Grigory Dikushin will adorn the Gamblers sweater.

The Gamblers kick off the 2011-12 USHL regular season on Saturday, October 1 as they travel to Dubuque, Iowa for a rematch of the Clark Cup Finals with the Fighting Saints. Green Bay’s home opener is set for Friday, October 7 as they welcome the Des Moines Buccaneers to the ReschCenter. Tickets for the home opener, as well as all 30 home games are now on sale at the ReschCenter box office or via the internet at ticketstaronline.com.


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