Defensemen Nathe, Sawatske Come To Terms
September 8, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL, a proud affiliate of the San Jose Sharks and the Worcester Sharks, announced today that defensemen Bryan Nathe and Tom Sawatske have each agreed to terms on a contract for the upcoming 2008-09 season.
Nathe, 25, tallied two goals and 11 points in 51 games last season with the RoadRunners after being acquired from the Victoria Salmon Kings on Dec. 6, 2007 in exchange for future considerations, and finished the year with two goals, 10 assists, and 12 points in 67 contests. The Elk River, Minn. native and fifth-year veteran blue-liner has spent the duration of his professional career in the ECHL skating with the Dayton Bombers, Johnstown Chiefs, Salmon Kings, and RoadRunners. Nathe is a graduate of the United States Junior National Program and has collected seven goals, 41 assists, and 48 points in 256 career games.
Sawatske, 24, notched three goals and 10 points in 57 games in 2007-08 between the RoadRunners and Dayton Bombers. Acquired from the Bombers along with defenseman Taylor Christie on Feb. 6, Sawatske collected a goal and five points and finished with a plus-four rating in 18 games with the RoadRunners. The Duluth, Minn. native and second-year professional enjoyed a four-year collegiate career at Wisconsin and Notre Dame where he amassed eight goals, 18 assists, and 26 points in 127 games. Like Nathe, Sawatske also is a graduate of the United States Junior National Program and captured gold medals at the 2001 Under-17 World Championships and the 2002 Under-18 World Championships.
Nathe and Sawatske join a RoadRunners roster that already includes forwards Mitch Carefoot, Wes Clark, Andrew Desjardins, Bryan Esner, Gino Guyer, James McEwan, Peder Skinner and Chris Stevens; defenseman Matt Burke; and goaltender Paulo Colaiacovo.
Phoenix will play a two-game pre-season series against the Florida Everblades Oct. 10-11 at Germain Arena in Estero, Fla.
The RoadRunners open their fourth ECHL season Oct. 17 when they welcome the Victoria Salmon Kings to US Airways Center for a three-game Opening Weekend series. Season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans for the 2008-09 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are currently on sale by calling (602) 462-GOAL or by logging on to www.phxroadrunners.com.
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