Falcons Look to Europe

August 26, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release


FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Falcons have signed defenseman Tapio Sammalkangas and right winger Riku Rahikainen to contracts for the upcoming 2003-04 season. The two natives of Finland become the first players to join the Falcons' roster as the club approaches its inaugural season in the ECHL.

The 23-year old Sammalkangas has played the past four seasons in the Finnish Elite League following a quarterfinal run with Team Finland in the 2000 World Junior Hockey Championships held in Sweden. His 22-year old fellow countryman, Rahikainen, briefly played as a teammate of Sammalkangas' in the Finnish Elite League during the 2001-02 campaign.

"We're in a tougher position than when we were in the WCHL because now as a member of the ECHL we can no longer recruit from the ECHL," said Head Coach and General Manager Blaine Moore. "Europe has some young, talented players that are excited about coming over to North America.

"Tapio is a talented d-man with four years of experience in the Finnish Elite League, one of the best leagues in the world outside the NHL and AHL," continued Moore. "He'll step in and play right away. Riku is a younger player and a bit more raw. But he's a big, strong kid who shoots and skates well and, as the season progresses, will become more of an impact player."

The Falcons open their inaugural season in the ECHL with an 11-game road trip beginning on Oct. 17 at Bakersfield's Centennial Garden against the Condors before making their Save Mart Center at Fresno State debut on Nov. 16 also versus the Condors.

The ECHL is the largest professional hockey league in North America and will feature 31 teams in 17 states playing a record 1,116 games in the upcoming 2003-2004 season. The ECHL has sent 215 players to play in the National Hockey League throughout its 15-year history and had 450 call-ups to the American Hockey League in 2002-2003, more than any other professional league.

Season tickets to see the Falcons play at the Save Mart Center in 2003-2004 are now on sale with mini-packs beginning as low as $48. Call the Falcons at 485-PUCK (7825) or visit www.fresnofalcons.com for more information.



ECHL Stories from August 26, 2003


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