FIGHTING SAINTS TRADE YOUSO TO ODESSA IN NAHL

Press Release

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Fighting Saints made what should be their final roster move of the season Monday, trading defenseman Matt Youso to the Odessa Jackalopes of the North American Hockey League in exchange for future considerations. The trade allowed the team to move defenseman Desmond Bergin from the affiliate list to the active roster. Bergin was acquired from the Tri-City Storm last week, and will heal a lower-body injury before making his Dubuque debut.

Youso skated in 24 games with the Fighting Saints, totaling 73 penalty minutes, but no points, in a physical role with the team. Fighting Saints Head Coach Jim Montgomery thanked Youso for his contributions with the Fighting Saints, and wished him the best going forward.

“Matt was a very good teammate. Our entire staff loved working with him; he has a Fighting Saints spirit and attitude,” he said. “We had nine defensemen, we had to get down to eight, and we thought that he was the odd man out. We wish him all the best in Odessa. He’s going to play a ton of hockey and develop as a student athlete.”

With the roster change deadline passing, Montgomery said that he, the coaching staff, and the players are all looking forward to the increased stability that will come in the final third of the season.

“With our roster now down to twenty-three, we have the players that we think will give us the best opportunity to defend our Clark Cup championship come playoff time,” Montgomery added.

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