High-Scoring Eizenman Returning to Falcons
September 9, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, CALIF. - The Fresno Falcons announced today that center Oren Eizenman has agreed to terms for the 2008-09 season. With Eizenman agreeing to terms, all three Falcons who participated in the ECHL All-Star Game last year have agreed to terms, as he joins Igor Gongalsky and Kenny MacAulay.
Eizenman led the Falcons last season in goals (27) and points (66), while finishing second on the squad in assists (39). His 66 points last season were eighth among ECHL rookies, and tied for 18th overall in the league. The 23-year-old also spent time in the American Hockey League last season with the Milwaukee Admirals and Worcester Sharks, tallying one assist in eight combined games.
In addition to being named to the National Conference All-Star squad last season, Eizenman also earned the ECHL Rookie of the Month Award in December, and the ECHL Player of the Month for January. He finished tied for third in the voting for the league's Sportsmanship Award, and third in voting for the league's Rookie of the Year.
Earlier this summer, Eizenman participated in the New York Rangers' Conditioning Camp, and prior to coming to Fresno, he will take part in the Vancouver Canucks' Rookie Camp, which opens this weekend.
"It was a top priority of ours to get Oren re-signed if he didn't get an AHL or NHL deal," Falcons head coach and general manager Matt Thomas said. "He's given himself a great opportunity to impress the Vancouver Canucks at their rookie camp. We look for Oren to be a go-to guy with us this season and prove that he belongs in the AHL full-time. His work ethic and determination are a daily reminder of what it takes to succeed in the pro game."
Prior to turning pro, Eizenman played four years of college hockey at R.P.I., where he scored 99 points in 129 games. He was an ECACHL All-Academic Team member in both his junior and senior seasons, and as a senior earned R.P.I.'s Community Service Award.
Opening Night 2008 at Selland Arena is set for Friday, October 24, when the Falcons host their arch-rivals, the Bakersfield Condors, at 7:35 p.m. Season Ticket packages start at just $432, and are now available by calling the Falcons at (559) 485-7825.
Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier 'AA' Hockey League has grown into a coast-to-coast league that will have 23 teams in 16 states and British Columbia playing 828 games from Oct. 17, 2008 to Apr. 4, 2009. Eighteen of the 23 teams have played at least five years in their current city.
The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL averaged 4,174 per game last season, marking the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans. The league has drawn over four million fans each of the last five years and 11 times in the past 12 seasons.
ECHL Stories from September 9, 2008
- Condors to host annual Open House October 5 - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Officials Work NHL Preseason Rookie Contests - ECHL
- Chiefs trade for rights to pair of Aces - Johnstown Chiefs
- Aces Acquire ECHL All-Star from Johnstown - Alaska Aces
- Trenton Returns Henkel And Radoslovich; Adds Middlebury's Bartlett - Trenton Devils
- Blades ink D-man Dunne to deal - Florida Everblades
- Las Vegas names McBain Assistant Coach - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Salmon Kings Invited To Canucks' Prospects Camps - Victoria Salmon Kings
- High-Scoring Eizenman Returning to Falcons - Fresno Falcons
- High Scoring Forward Back To Lead Steelheads Charge - Idaho Steelheads
- Gwinnett, Florida, Ontario In Sweet 16 Of Hockey News Logo Tournament - ECHL
- Blades Take On Penguins - Florida Everblades
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