Gamblers Announce 2012-13 Pre-season Roster

Press Release

On Thursday the Green Bay Gamblers announced their preseason roster. The players listed on the team’s 25-man protected list arrived in Green Bay early this week. The team will play two games this upcoming weekend in Duluth, Minnesota and three games next weekend at the Fall Classic in Sioux City, Iowa.

The Gamblers 25-man protected list boasts one NHL draft pick, along with 13 players committed to NCAA Division I institutions.

The Gamblers look to goaltender Mike Rotolo to replace Ryan McKay this season. Last year the tandem led the USHL in goals against, allowing a miniscule 2.30 goals per game. As the backup, Rotolo posted a 13-2-1 record with a 2.15 GAA and a .922 save percentage. Highly touted newcomers Cameron Johnson and Richard Sabol will also be looking for playing time between the pipes.

Along the blueline the Gamblers coaching staff have put together a talented group of defensemen. Leading the way is Florida Panthers draft pick Ben Gallacher. Gallacher will be joined by fellow newcomers Barrett Kaib, Gustav Olofsson, Jake Linhart, Christian Wolanin and Jordan Gross. Returning this season for the team are veterans Brandon Kirk and Kyle Chatham.

Up front the Gamblers will be led by the forward line of Sheldon Dries, Nicholas Schilkey and Alex Kile. Last year the Dries, Schilkey and Kile line combined for 52 goals and 56 assists. Also returning to Green Bay for another season is Kyle Novak, who was first in rookie scoring last year (17 goals & 34 assists), Nick Schmaltz, Matt Weis and Moscow, Russia native Grigory Dikushin.

The veterans will be joined by a very talented core of forwards. Kevin Irwin, Brendan Lemieux, Trevor Olson, Ryan Siroky, Seth Blair, and Willem Nong-Lambert look to make an impact in their rookie campaign. The Gamblers also tapped into the European talent pool, as Adam Winborg, who hails from Stockholm, Sweden will adorn the Gamblers sweater.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)