CJ Blaszka and Christian Pavlas to SPHL
November 14, 2018 - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Carolina Thunderbirds News Release
Winston-Salem, N.C. - The Carolina Thunderbirds are announcing today the loan of defenseman CJ Blaszka to the Evansville Thunderbolts of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).
Blaszka led the Thunderbirds in assists so far this season with seven and scored his first goal of the 2018-19 season on Saturday night against Danville. Blaszka was also a part of a strong special teams unit for Carolina which has killed its last 19 straight penalties.
"For CJ, we're happy for him to move on with his career, but we are sad because we lose on of our best defensemen" head coach and director of hockey operations Andre Niec said. "We wish him good luck and if he needs to come back he has a place with us."
Blaszka also leaves the FHL in the middle of a 6-game point streak (1G-7A). He and teammate Josh Pietrantonio are the only Thunderbirds to rack up points in every game so far this season. Blaszka also had the Thunderbirds first fight this season.
"We're very happy for CJ advancing his hockey career" team President and GM Scott Brand said. "We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. We know he'll remember, once a Thunderbird always a Thunderbird."
Blaszka joins the Evansville Thunderbolts who currently sit in 9th place in the SPHL with a 2-6-1 record and will dress this weekend for Evansville's home series against Peoria this weekend.
Additionally, The Carolina Thunderbirds are announcing that Christian Pavlas has been signed by the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League.
Pavlas skated in 17 games last season with the Thunderbirds and was notably absent from training camp due to immigration issues. The Bratislava, Slovakia native had a 3.25 GAA and .910 save percentage in 15 regular season games for Carolina during the 2017-18 season.
"Since last year's trade when Patches came to us he made big improvements and we're happy for him that he can have a sniff in the SPHL" head coach and director of hockey operations Andre Niec said. "We wish him the best of luck in Macon."
Pavlas is a Slovakian junior champion (2015-16 season) with HC Slovan Bratislava in the U20 ranks. Pavlas also led the league in save percentage that season.
Pavlas joins the Macon Mayhem who are currently riding an 8-game winning streak to sit atop the SPHL standings with a record of 8-0-1. Macon's next game is Friday night in Roanoke, Virginia.
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