Driedger Gets Second NHL Call Up, IceMen Sign Vazzano
March 17, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind.- The Ottawa Senators of the NHL have recalled Goaltender, Chris Driedger, from their ECHL affiliate, the Evansville IceMen, presented by Coors Light. The first IceMen player ever called up to the NHL, Driedger is expected to make his NHL return on Tuesday night when the Senators take on the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh.
This is the second time the Senators have called up Driedger to the Show. He became the first IceMen player ever brought up to the NHL on Feb.17.
Driedger did not get to play during his first NHL stint, because Andrew Hammond got on a hot streak. Hammond had a 1.00 goals against average, a 96.8% save percentage, and two shutouts with Driedger as his backup.
The rookie has played 40 games in net for the IceMen which is the third highest number in franchise history. He currently ranks fourth in the ECHL in saves with 1,098 pucks stopped.
With Driedger recalled, the IceMen signed goaltender Alex Vazzano to an ATO to fill Driedger's roster spot. Vazzano comes to Evansville just days after finishing up his collegiate career.
Hailing from Trumbull, Conn., Vazzano served as the primary starter for Sacred Heart University for the last two seasons. In his senior campaign with the Pioneers, Vazzano denied 91.6% of the shots he faced and posted a 2.49 goals against average. He also recorded two shutouts as a senior. Vazzano also helped the Pioneers to the second round of the AHA tournament before they were eliminated on Saturday.
Before he transferred to Sacred Heart, Vazzano player two seasons at the University of Vermont. In four collegiate seasons, Vazzano appeared in 65 games and collected 17 wins. His brother John also played hockey for the Catamounts.
Vazzano will join the IceMen for their game on Friday against the Florida Everblades. The first meeting of the season between Evansville and Florida begins at 7:15 p.m. inside the Ford Center.
Friday's game will also be Faith Night, where fans can enjoy a post-game concert with the band Abandon. The first 1,000 fans 12 & under will receive a free youth jersey from TRCI . Additionally, fans can bid on the IceMen's warm up jerseys in a post-game auction. The proceeds of this auction will benefit the Charlier Hospice Center.
Fans attending Friday's game can get 30% off merchandise at the IceMen team store at the Ford Center. So stock up on all the best IceMen gear.
Students from USI will be at Friday's game collecting donations for Riley's Hospital for Children. They will be doing this during the Riley's Miracle Minute in the first period of Friday's game.
On Saturday, the IceMen mix it up with the Everblades again at 7:15 p.m. The first 3,000 fans will receive a string bag courtesy of Jagoe Homes. Blizzard Buddies and season ticket holders will get to enjoy a post-game skate with the players.
The Ford Center will turn into the world's largest sports bar on Saturday. Every TV in the building will be showing the NCAA Tournament games.
Fans Get the 3-2-1 Pack:
3- games of your choice
2- tickets per game
1- IceMen t-shirt
Plus receive one entry per pack purchase to win a team autographed stick and be eligible for early renewal for the 2015-2016 season. Packs start at just $60.
Single game tickets are on sale now for all games including the IceMen's March 14th game against Orlando at the Ford Center Box Office Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and after noon on weekend game days.
2015-16 season tickets are on sale now. Plans start at just $10 per ticket. Call an IceMen ticket executive at 812-421-GOAL to get your discounted season and group packages.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 17, 2015
- K-Wings Strike Gold on Green Ice - Kalamazoo Wings
- Nailers Earn Point, But Fall in Shootout - Wheeling Nailers
- K-Wings Slip Past Fuel 5-3 - Indy Fuel
- PSU Defenseman Sarig Signs with Gwinnett - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Transactions - March 17 - ECHL
- Everblades Add CIS Player of the Year Spencer Pommells - Florida Everblades
- Countdown to Face-Off: Kalamazoo Wings vs Indy Fuel - Kalamazoo Wings
- K-Wings Sign Former WMU Bronco Justin Kovacs - Kalamazoo Wings
- Thunder Host the Condors for St. Patrick's Day Meeting - Stockton Thunder
- Nailers vs. Walleye Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- David Rutherford Named Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week - Ontario Reign
- Ontario's Rutherford Named Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week - ECHL
- Condors Sign Two Goaltenders: Lazaruk and Cahill - Bakersfield Condors
- Defenseman Scott Ford Loaned to Milwaukee of AHL - South Carolina Stingrays
- Thunder Weekly - Wichita Thunder
- Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis Earns CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week - South Carolina Stingrays
- South Carolina's Jakaitis Named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week - ECHL
- Driedger Gets Second NHL Call Up, IceMen Sign Vazzano - Evansville IceMen
- ECHL Today - March 17 - ECHL
- K-Wings Weekly - Kalamazoo Wings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
