Falcons Finalize Opening Day Roster
October 21, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
Fresno, Calif. - The Fresno Falcons traded winger Scott Borders to the San Diego Gulls and released goaltender Brett Jaeger late yesterday before submitting their official opening day roster to the ECHL for tomorrow's season opener against the Las Vegas Wranglers at 7 p.m. at Save Mart Center.
Borders spent two full seasons with the club, garnering All-WCHL Rookie status in 2002-03. Fresh out of the Western Hockey League the previous season, he played two regular season games before making a significant contribution during Fresno's run to the Taylor Cup Championship in 2001-02. His departure to the Gulls in exchange for cash considerations leaves Jason Weaver as the only remaining Falcon from either of the Falcons' back-to-back appearances in the Taylor Cup Finals in 2001-02 and 2002-03.
As a result of Jaeger's release, Mike Betz and Simon Lajeunesse become the Falcons' two opening day netminders, with the latter scheduled to start tomorrow's opener against Las Vegas.
Looking at Fresno's roster as a whole, General Manager Blaine Moore and Head Coach Greg Spenrath kept 21 players, including 12 forwards and seven defensemen. Only five players remain from last year's club: Mike Kiesman, Wes Rypien, Kevin Truelson, Weaver and John Wroblewski.
Seven players are classified as rookies under ECHL guidelines, including Betz, John Dahl, Thierry Douville, Tomas Jasko, Derek Krestanovich, Rypien and Dustin VanBallegooie, while only two of the league-allotted four veteran spots will be filled with Shawn Heaphy and Matt O'Dette.
Heaphy, who has been placed on 7-day injured reserve to start the season, will not play this opening weekend, nor will Rypien, who has been granted bereavement leave due to a death in the family. The entire 2004-05 Fresno Falcons Opening Day Roster is attached.
Single-game tickets for all 36 regular season home games at Save Mart Center are now on sale for as low as $8 per seat. Tickets may be purchased directly at Save Mart Center's box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 485-TIXS (8497) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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