Blazers Sign All Star Goaltender

Published on July 9, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


Oklahoma City - The Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League signed goaltender Andy Franck, head coach Doug Sauter announced today.

Franck a 6-0, 195-pound native of Lakewood, Ohio, skated with the Youngstown Steelhounds last season. He appeared in 41 games with the Hounds, posting a 26-10-4 mark, 2.85 goals against average and .906 saves percentage. His solid play for the Steelhounds last season earned him several accolades including being named the starter for the Northern Conference All Star team and CHL Goaltender of the Month honors for March. He also earned a call up to the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. With the Bruins, he appeared in nine games, going 7-1-1 with a 2.71 goals against average and .895 saves percentage.

In three games against Oklahoma City, he was 2-0-1 with a 2.25 goals against average and .945 saves percentage. Both wins came in Oklahoma City at the Ford Center in front of crowds in excess of 8,600.

"Andy played well against our club last season," said Sauter. "I would expect the same level of play for our club this season."

Prior to joining the Hounds, Franck toiled for two seasons with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. In those two seasons, he compiled a 50-41-9 mark, 2.78 goals against average and .910 saves percentage to go along with eight shutouts.

Before turning pro, he played three seasons of university hockey at Mercyhurst College. With the Lakers he played in 81 games, posting a 43-26-5 record, a 3.12 goals against average, .905 saves percentage and four shutouts.

"I'm pleased. It is a good situation and a good organization," said Franck. "I played there a couple of times last season and it seems like an excellent building. Both times I played there, the Blazers packed the place. I dealt with it differently being the goalie for the road team, but having that many people watching you play certainly gets you up for the game. I'm looking forward to the next step for me in hockey and think Oklahoma City will be a spot to be on an exciting team."

Sauter continued, "He plays a fundamentally sound game. He battles hard in the crease every night and plays with the confidence we expect from our goaltenders."

Franck is the fifth player signed by the Blazers for the 08-09 season. He joins forwards DJ Jelitto and Jason Murfitt and defensemen Stacey Bauman and Justin Sawyer on the Blazers roster.

The Blazers 17th season of play commences October 17 at the Ford Center. The CHL plans to release the complete schedule soon.

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