Admirals Sign Defenseman Mitch Ganzak to PTO

January 3, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release

NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk Admirals have signed defenseman Mitch Ganzak to a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO), Admirals General Manager Mike Butters announced today.

Ganzak, a 6-foot-0, 205-pound defenseman in his first professional season, has appeared in 29 games with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers, scoring four goals and adding 18 assists with 22 penalty minutes. His +19 rating is tied for the best plus/minus in the ECHL and his 22 points tie him for the fourth among ECHL defensemen in scoring. He is also ranked in the top 20 of rookie scorers in the ECHL.

The 24-year-old native of Redford, Michigan made his professional debut last April on an Amateur Tryout Contract with the AHL's Manitoba Moose. He registered one assist in two games with the Moose.

Ganzak joined the Moose after completing a four-year collegiate career at Miami University in Ohio. In 153 career games with the RedHawks, Ganzak recorded nine goals and 92 assists for 101 points with 203 penalty minutes. He was twice selected to the All-CCHA Second Team (2005-06 and 2007-08) and his 92 career assists are the seventh most in school history.

The Admirals will conclude their three-game road trip tonight in Portland. The puck drops against the Pirates at 7:00 p.m.

The Admirals return to Scope next week to kick off a nine-game homestand with nothing but home games from January 7-30. The homestand begins for Norfolk against their East Division Rivals, the Hershey Bears, on Wednesday night at 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday's game will be Gold's Gym Giveaway Night, Student Rush Night and Family Fun Pack Night. All fans will receive a coupon for a free one-week membership to Gold's Gym. With Student Rush Nights, students in high school and college may purchase $8 white level tickets by presenting their school IDs at the Scope Box Office after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the game. With Family Fun Packs, you receive four red level tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns and four sodas for only $48 - that's a saving of $37! Family Fun Packs are available at the Scope Box Office or online at ticketmaster.com. For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com

To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2008-09 season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!

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