Jackals Add Championship Experience in Trade with Fort Wayne

January 6, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


ELMIRA, N.Y. - January 6, 2014 - The Elmira Jackals announced today that they have acquired forward Mike Vaskivuo (VASK-ih-voo) and defenseman Nik Pokulok (POCK-uh-luck) from the Fort Wayne Komets in exchange for forwards Matt Carter and Christian Ouellet.

Mike Vaskivuo is a former CHL Playoff MVP and Nik Pokulok helped Stockton to the Kelly Cup Final as a rookie last spring.

"Mike is a highly-skilled forward who will add some punch to our offense, and Nik is a young, steady defenseman with good size who will help us on our back end," said Jackals head coach Dwight Mullins.

Vaskivuo, 27, had 21 points (5 goals, 16 assists) in 23 games with the Komets. He is in his first ECHL season after spending the 2012-13 campaign with Grenoble in France, and the prior three between the Central Hockey League and International Hockey League. In the spring of 2012 Vaskivuo punched home 10 goals and added 14 assists in 18 games to lead the Komets in points as they claimed the CHL championship. The 6-1, 195-pound forward was named the CHL Playoff MVP for his efforts. In 260 pro games Vaskivuo has logged 208 points (89 goals, 119 assists), 196 penalty minutes, and a +12 rating.

Pokulok, 23, is a 6-5, 225-pound rookie defenseman out of Clarkson University. He has chipped in four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in 16 games with the Komets. Last spring, Pokulok signed an amateur tryout with the Stockton Thunder following his collegiate career and helped the Thunder win a Western Conference title before falling to Reading in the Kelly Cup Final. Last year Pokulok didn't register a point during six regular season contests with the Thunder, but notched two goals and an assist in 23 playoff games. A native of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, Pokulok registered 19 points (5 goals, 14 assists) in 133 games over four years at Clarkson.

Additionally, the Jackals announced that they have signed forward Corey Bellamy. The younger brother of Rob Bellamy, Corey has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) and 108 penalty minutes over 25 games this season with Huntsville of the Southern Professional Hockey League. In two prior stints with the Jackals, Corey has combined for 10 penalty minutes in 10 games.

Carter had 15 points (9 goals, 6 assists) in 29 games with Elmira this season which equals his mark from the 2012-13 campaign (3 goals, 12 assists) following a trade from Las Vegas. Ouellet, who signed with the Jackals on November 15 after beginning the season in San Francisco, posted 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 19 games with Elmira.

Mark your calendars! The Jackals return to home ice on Friday, January 10 to take on the Reading Royals at 7:05 p.m. The Jackals host His Tabernacle Faith and Family Night this Friday which features a free postgame concert by Oh Eternity. Don't forget that groups of 10 or more who book in advance receive discounts off the box office price and preferred seating based on availability. Call 607-734-7825 to get your group outing booked.



ECHL Stories from January 6, 2014


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