AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Sign Komarniski, Hartigan, Knopp and Johnstone

Published on September 24, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse, NY (September 24, 2004) – The Syracuse Crunch announced today that they have signed defenseman Zenith Komarniski, center Mark Hartigan, right wing Ben Knopp and defenseman Alex Johnstone. The team also announced that defenseman Steve Rodberg will attend the Crunch's 2004 training camp on a professional try-out contract.

Komarniski, 26, appeared in 54 games with Syracuse last season, recording 2 goals, 22 assists and 84 penalty minutes. In 294 career AHL games with Syracuse and Manitoba, Komarniski has tallied 35 goals, 81 assists and 585 penalty minutes. A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Komarniski was acquired by Columbus form Vancouver for Sean Pronger on October 20, 2003.

Hartigan, 26, appeared in 69 games with Syracuse last season, recording 23 goals, 23 assists and 86 penalty minutes. In 124 career AHL games with Chicago and Syracuse, he has recorded 38 goals, 54 assists and 129 penalty minutes. He made his NHL debut with Atlanta on April 2, 2002 and made his Columbus debut on October 22, 2003 @ Detroit. A native of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Hartigan was signed as a free agent by Columbus on August 15, 2003.

Knopp, 22, appeared in 63 games with Syracuse last season, tallying 7 goals, 5 assists and 81 penalty minutes. In 75 career AHL games, all with Syracuse, Knopp has registered 8 goals, 6 assists and 83 penalty minutes. A native of Calgary, Alberta, Knopp was Columbus' second pick, 69th overall, in the 2000 Entry Draft.

Johnstone, 24, appeared in 54 games with Dayton (ECHL) last season, recording 5 goals, 8 assists and 214 penalty minutes. A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Johnstone has played in 17 career AHL games, with Albany, Syracuse and Binghamton, tallying 1 goal and 47 penalty minutes.

Rodberg, 25, appeared in 37 games with Fort Wayne (United Hockey League), recording 4 goals, 6 assists and 15 penalty minutes. A native of Twig, Minnesota, Rodberg has appeared in 71 career UHL games, with Columbus and Fort Wayne, tallying 8 goals, 14 assists and 19 penalty minutes.

The Crunch's regular season home schedule begins on Friday, October 15, when the St. John's Maple Leafs visit the War Memorial at Oncenter for the Express Mart Opening Night. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a hand-clapper noisemaker, compliment of Express Mart. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Crunch office at (315) 473-4444, at the Oncenter Box Office, located on the State Street side of the War Memorial or by calling TicketMaster at (315) 472-0700.

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