Jackals Bolster Roster; Re-Sign Dustin Gazley
August 23, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
ELMIRA, N.Y. - August 23, 2012 - The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have agreed to terms with forward Dustin Gazley for the 2012-13 season. He joins Matt Campanale, Jimmy Martin and Jordan Pietrus as a returnee from the 2011-12 Jackals team that won the Eastern Conference regular season title.
"Dustin had a great rookie season for us last year. His speed and quickness combined with his skill and compete level make him a game-breaker and a welcome addition," said Jackals head coach Pat Bingham.
Gazley, a 5-9, 165-pound forward, led the ECHL in scoring during the 2011-12 season with 85 points (25G, 60A) and earned ECHL Rookie of the Year honors as a result. He was also named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team and the All-ECHL First Team, and finished as the runner up for league most valuable player honors. He became the third consecutive Jackal to lead the league in scoring following Tyler Donati (2009-10, 114 points) and Justin Donati (2010-11, 94 points). Gazley is the fifth rookie ever to lead the ECHL in scoring and the first to achieve the feat since Cincinnati's David Desharnais in 2007-08.
Gazley, who hails from Novi, Mich., followed his strong regular season with an equally impressive effort in the playoffs with eight points (1G, 7A) in 10 games. He and teammate Artem Demkov were tied for the sixth-most points among rookies in the playoffs. Six of the points (1G, 5A) that Gazley notched in the postseason came in the Jackals' first round come-from-behind series win over Reading.
The 23-year-old Gazley began his pro career by dressing in two games for the Greenville Road Warriors in 2010-11. Prior to that he enjoyed a four-year stretch at Michigan State University where he posted 73 points (30G, 43A) in 153 games. Gazley was given the Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior Award following a career-best 26 points (11G, 15A) in 2010-11. Over his entire four seasons in East Lansing, Gazley missed just three games.
"We had a great season last year with finishing first in the conference. With a lot of guys returning I'm anticipating another great year. Pat did a phenomenal job with bringing in a whole new team last year and I am looking forward to another great season and working toward a championship," said Gazley.
Season tickets to see the Jackals in 2012-2013 are on sale now!
Packages start as low as $360 and include tickets to all 36 regular season and any preseason home games. Exclusive advantages available only to season ticket holders include a discount off the walk-up ticket price, the same seat all season long, access to the annual Blue/White scrimmage, discounts to select First Arena events, and special season ticket holder coupons.
Avoid lines at the box office on game day by purchasing season tickets to see the Jackals in 2012-2013. Fans may download the 2012-2013 season ticket form at www.firstarena.com or can order their tickets by calling (607) 734-PUCK (7825) or by visiting the First Arena Box Office.
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ECHL Stories from August 23, 2012
- Royals Reminder for 'Town Hall Tuesday' - Reading Royals
- Idaho Adds Pair to Training Camp Roster - Idaho Steelheads
- Nunn, Ruegsegger Re-Sign with Aces - Alaska Aces
- Brad Tapper Returns as Assistant Coach in 2012-13 - Florida Everblades
- Cyclones Agree to Terms with Byron Elliott and Chris Reed for 2012-13 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Jackals Bolster Roster; Re-Sign Dustin Gazley - Elmira Jackals
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