IceGators sign Kerestes; two others agree to tryout pacts
September 27, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Louisiana IceGators News Release
Lafayette, LA â The Louisiana IceGators have signed defenseman Jaroslav Kerestes to a standard player's contract for the upcoming season, while centers Kenny Corupe and Darren Martens have signed tryout agreements, IceGators vice president of hockey operations and head coach Dave Farrish announced Friday. The team now has 24 players signed, including nine to tryout agreements, for the 2002-03 season. Louisiana opens camp tomorrow with physicals at Louisiana Physical Therapy (315 South College St.) from 12-3 p.m., with the players hitting the ice Sunday at the Cajundome at 10 a.m.
The 27-year-old Kerestes (pronounced YAHR-oh-slav, ker-AY-stes) has spent the last three seasons with the Columbus Cottonmouths, which moved into the ECHL in the 2001-02 season. Last season, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound native of Presov, Czech Republic, had nine points (2g, 7a) and 111 penalty minutes in 51 games with the Cottonmouths. In his three seasons with the team, Kerestes totaled 28 points (9g, 19a) and 446 penalty minutes in 182 games. He has also played in 30 playoff games, recording three assists.
Corupe (pronounced kuh-ROOP), 22, is entering his third full pro season and is no stranger to the East Coast Hockey League. He broke into the league late in the 1999-00 season, scoring four goals and adding an assist in six games with Birmingham. Corupe, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound native of Hamilton, Ontario, spent the 2000-01 campaign in both ECHL Johnstown and AHL Saint John, including seven points (3g, 4a) in 44 games with the Flames. Last season, Corupe played with both CHL Odessa and ECHL Columbus. He averaged more than a point per game in 49 contests with the Jackalopes (18g, 32a), while he recorded six points (2g, 4a) in 11 games with Columbus. Corupe's pro totals are 76 points (29g, 47a) and 124 PIM's in 122 games.
The 28-year-old Martens is also entering his third full pro season. He followed up a successful career with Regina University with a 13-point campaign (7g, 6a) in 43 games with UHL Fort Wayne in 2000-01. He spent time last season with both Pensacola and Mississippi, combining for four points (2g, 2a) in 23 games. Martens is a 5-foot-11, 197-pound native of Mossbank, Saskatchewan. In 66 total pro games, Martens has notched 17 points (9g, 8a) and 10 penalty minutes.
The Louisiana IceGators, now owned by the Orlando Predators Entertainment Group (NASDAQ: PRED), open up their eighth ECHL season on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at Arkansas. Louisiana's home opener is Sunday, Oct. 13 at 4:05 p.m. For ticketing information call 234-4423, ext. 208.
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