ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Goaltender, Forward Assigned; Sauer Recalled

October 23, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC-Charlotte Checkers general manager and head coach Derek Wilkinson announced today that ex-Checkers goaltender Matt Zaba has been assigned by the American Hockey League's Hartford Wolf Pack and rookie forward David Marshall has been assigned by the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters. In addition, goaltender Billy Sauer was recalled by the Monsters.

Zaba returns to the Checkers after spending all of 2008-09 with Hartford in the AHL. In 41 games, the native of Yorkton, Saskatchewan posted a 25-10-0 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and .920 save percentage, all team-highs. His GAA and save percentage ranked him seventh and eighth in the AHL, respectively.

The 26-year-old netminder won 16 of his last 19 games of the 2008-09 season, including a career-high seven-game win streak, and was named AHL Goaltender of the Month for February.

Prior to turning pro, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Zaba skated for four years at Colorado College where he earned WCHA All-Rookie honors and was a three-time WCHA All-Academic. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the eighth round of the 2003 draft and was signed as a free agent by the New York Rangers in the summer of 2007.

Zaba last played for the Checkers in 2007-08 posting a 3-4-1 record in nine games.

Marshall, 24, joins the Checkers after beginning the season with Lake Erie. In 2008-09, he joined the Monsters after his college season and tallied two goals and three assists in nine games.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound rookie from Buffalo, Minn. played four seasons at Quinnipiac University prior to joining the professional ranks. He holds the school record for most goals in a career with 73 and longest point streak when he went 18 straight games with at least one point. The right-winger led the team in goals twice, including once as a rookie.

Both players will join the team in Florida for this weekend's two-game series against the Everblades.

Sauer appeared in one game this season when he relieved the injured Ryan Munce in the third period of the Checkers' season-opening victory over South Carolina. He stopped all nine shots he faced. This AHL call-up is the first of the rookie goaltender's career. Goaltender Joe DeBono was added to the lineup as an emergency backup.

The Checkers' home opener is set for Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. against the Gwinnett Gladiators. For ticket information please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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