Bucks Ink Two More With Pro Experience

Published on September 21, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Laredo Bucks News Release


LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Monday that they have signed former OHL All-Star goaltender Kyle Gajewski and forward Josef Fojtik for the 2009-10 season. Gajewski is entering his second pro season, while Fojtik will start his third campaign in the professional ranks.

Gajewski was an OHL All-Star in 2007-08 with Sault-Ste Marie, where he set career highs in wins (39), and goals against average (2.44), while going 39-16-4.

Last season the 22-year-old Gajewski (pronounce GA-JU-ski) split time between three teams in his rookie year in the ECHL, playing with Cincinnati, Johnstown, and Florida.

Gajewski, 5'10, 155 pounds, went a combined 12-11-2 in 29 games last season. He spent the majority of the campaign with Cincinnati, playing in 21 games with a 7-10-1 record, to go along with a 3.82 G.A.A, and a .874 sv. %. Gajewski went 1-1 with Johnstown (3.40 G.A.A, .917 sv. %), and 4-0 with Florida (2.67 G.A.A, .905 sv. %).

"Kyle is a talented goaltender, and he has shown a lot of promise so far in his career," Ruskowski said. "We have heard very good things about his game, and he will put up a good fight for the goaltending job in camp."

The London, Ontario native had a stellar four-year junior career with Sault-Ste Marie, where went a combined 114-71-31 with 12 shutouts, three in each of his four seasons.

With the Greyhounds Gajewski's win total increased in each of his four seasons, as he won 15 games in 2004-05, 29 in 2005-06, 31 in 2006-07, and 39 in 2007-08.

*FOJTIK ADDS SPEED, SCORING PUNCH*

25-year-old Josef Fojtik (pronounced YOH-sehf FOY-tehk) enters the 2009-10 season having played 119 career games, including 13 in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffiths. Fojtijk scored 87 points (46-41=87), and picked up 150 PIM's thus far in his pro career.

"Josef has amazing speed, just blazing," said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. "He also has performed well at this level before, and we think that he could put up good numbers here."

Fojtik began last season with the IHL's Flint Generals picking up 36 points (19-17=36) in 39 games, before being released on January 18th. The Oztrava, Czech Republic native finished last season with the LNAH's (non-professional) St. Georges CRS Express, where he scored 14 points (8-6=14) in 12 games.

Fojtik had a very successful 2007-08 season with Flint when he notched career highs in games (63), goals (28), assists (21) and points (49).

Fojtik had seven multi-goal games in two seasons with Flint.

Prior to playing professionally the 5'11, 190 pound Fojtik played 78 junior games from 2002-2004, putting up 43 total points in the NAHL and QMJHL

Fojtik and Gajewski are the 23rd and 24th Bucks signed this off-season, including the 13th and 14th with at least one year of professional experience.

The Bucks will open their eighth season in the Gateway City on October 24th at the LEC, and will host the 2010 CHL All-Star Game January 13th. For ticket information call 718-BUCK (2825).

*2009-10 Bucks Signed Players (In order of Announced Signing)*

*Matt McKeown-Forward- 6'0, 195lbs-Niagra Falls, ON- DOB: 1/16/85 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 22 Games, 3 Goals, 8 Assists, 11 Points

Last Team: Fredonia State University (NCAA)

*Drew Kivell- Defense- 6'2, 225lbs- Lakeside, ON- DOB: 2/4/83 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 38 Games, 2 Goals, 10 Assists, 12 Points

Last Team: Lakehead University (CIS)

*Cody Hamilton- Defense- 6'2, 200lbs- Lucknow, ON- DOB: 5/23/87 (2nd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 39 Games, 1 Goal, 5 Assists, 6 Points

Last Team: Tulsa Oilers (CHL)

*Tomas Sample- Defense- 6'2, 200lbs- Barrie, ON- DOB: 1/6/87 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: Did not play. 06-07 Stats: 27 Games, 4 Goals, 9 Assists, 13 Points

Last Team: Sarnia Sting (OHL, 06-07)

*Jarred Mohr- Defense- 5'11, 190lbs- Regina, SASK- DOB: 1/13/85 (4th Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 63 Games, 3 Goals, 18 Assists, 21 Points, 52 PIM's

Last Team: Rocky Mountain Rage (CHL)

*David Croteau- Forward- 5'10, 175lbs- Gatineau, Que. - DOB: 7/15/83 (3rd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 17 Games, 24 Goals, 29 Assists, 53 Points, 109 PIM's

Last Team: HC Mulhouse (France)

*Blair Hawes- Forward- 6'0, 200lbs- Selkirk, MAN- DOB: 7/22/88 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 62 Games, 17 Goals, 46 Assists, 63 Points, 108 PIM's (MJHL All-Star)

Last Team: Selkirk Steelers (MJHL)

*Ian Clarke- Defenseman- 6'0, 215lbs- Saskatoon, SASK- DOB: 10/20/88 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 49 Games, 5 Goals, 9 Assists, 14 Points, 177 PIM's

Last Team: Waywayseecappo Wolverines (MJHL)

*Dustin Slade- Goaltender- 5'11, 200lbs- Penticton, BC- DOB: 2/28/06 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: Did not play

Last Team: Halifax Wolverines (MJAHL, 06-07)

*Gerry Festa- Goaltender- 5'10, 180lbs- Calgary, AB- DOB: 1/18/84 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 12 Games, 3-4-2 Record, 2.62 G.A.A, .916 sv. %, 1 SHO

Last Team: University of British Columbia

*Neil Trimm- Forward- 6'2, 200lbs- Westmeath, ON- DOB: 2/18/83 (2nd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 60 Games, 17 Goals, 27 Assists, 44 Points, 14 PIM's

Last Team: New Mexico Scorpions (CHL)

*Igor Agarunov- Forward- 6'1, 200lbs- Grand Forks, BC- DOB: 3/19/83 (6th Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 64 Games, 19 Goals, 16 Assists, 35 Points, +17

Last Team: BUCKS (CHL)

*Justin Styffe- For.- 5'10, 180lbs-Okanagan Falls, BC: DOB:10/14/84 (2nd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 60 Games, 6 Goals, 9 Assists, 15 Points, 223 PIM's

Last Team: Flint Generals (IHL)

*Alexander Eaton- Forward- 6'3, 200lbs- Toronto, ON: DOB: 7/2/85 (1st Year Pro)

08-09: Did Not Play

Last Team: Tillsonburg Vipers (OHA Sr.)

*Adam Rivet- Defenseman- 6'0, 190lbs- Fort Erie, ON: DOB: 9/25/80 (5th Year Pro)

08-09- 63 Games, 13 Goals, 26 Assists, 39 Points, 79 PIM's

Last Team: BUCKS (CHL)

*Ryan Salvis- Forward- 6'0, 190lbs- Toronto, ON: DOB: 3/27/84 (2nd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 54 Games, 13 Goals, 26 Assists, 39 Points

Last Team: BUCKS (CHL)

*Dan Spence- Goaltender- 6'0, 190lbs- Langley, BC: DOB: 1/17/88 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: (With Sarnia) 54 Games, 29-19-6 record, 2.78 G.A.A, .914 sv. %

Last Team: Sarnia Sting (OHL)

*Maxime Lincourt- Forward- 6'1, 200lbs- Montreal, Que: DOB: 5/5/87 (3rd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 70 Games, 24 Goals, 29 Assists, 53 Points

Last Team: Flint Generals (IHL)

*Nick Klaren- Defenseman- 6'1, 200lbs- N. St. Paul, MN: DOB: 6/12/84 (1st Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 28 Games, 8 Goals, 19 Assists, 27 Points

Last Team: University of Wisconsin- Stout (NCAA D-III)

*Jeff Bes- Forward- 6'0, 195lbs- Tillsonburg, ON: DOB: 7/31/73 (18th Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 39 Games, 14 Goals, 46 Assists, 60 Points

Last Team: BUCKS (CHL)

*Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel- Defense- 6'1, 195lbs- France: DOB: 8/26/86 (6th Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 36 Games, 3 Goals, 10 Assists, 13 points, 77 PIM's

Last Team: HC Morzine-Avoriaz

*Kevin Flather- Forward- 6'2, 205lbs- Surry, BC (2nd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 40 Games, 31 Goals, 45 Assists, 76 Points

Last Team: Liege Bulldogs (Belguim Elite League)

*Kyle Gajewski- Goaltender- 5'10, 155lbs- London, ON- DOB: 3/29/87 (2ndYear Pro)

08-09 Stats: 29 Games, 12-11-2

Last Team: Florida Everblades (ECHL)

*Josef Fojtik-Forward-5'9,190lbs- Oztrava, Czech Republic-DOB: 9/11/84(3rd Year Pro)

08-09 Stats: 39 Games, 19 Goals, 17 Assists, 36 Points (With Flint)

Last Team: St. Georges (LNAH)

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Central Hockey League Stories from September 21, 2009


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