Jackals Announce Gameday Transactions

January 13, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


The Elmira Jackals announced multiple transactions prior to their game in Reading on Friday. The Jackals have been assigned forward Maxime Gratchev from their AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, and have been assigned forward Josh Brittain and defenseman Nick Schaus from their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. Additionally, Elmira has loaned forward Mike Radja to the AHL's Houston Aeros.

Gratchev, a third-year pro, has five goals and six assists for 11 points in 13 games with Elmira this season and is scoreless in 12 games with the B-Sens. The Novosibirsk, Russia native most recently skated in a game for Elmira on Nov. 19 prior to being recalled by Binghamton. Gratchev, who played in the KHL in 2010-2011, was an ECHL All-Star with Elmira during the 2009-2010 campaign, totaling 41 points (17g-24a) in 40 games.

Brittain, a second-year pro, skated the majority of his rookie season of 2010-2011 with the Jackals, posting 11 points (3g-8a) in 38 games while also contributing 92 penalty minutes. A Milton, Ontario product, Brittain has one assist in 14 games with the Crunch this season, after recording an assist in 13 games with Syracuse in 2010-2011. Brittain was selected by Elmira's NHL affiliate, the Anaheim Ducks, in the third round (71st overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Schaus, a second-year pro, has spent his young pro career in the AHL. With the Crunch in 2011-2012, Schaus has a goal and three assists for four points in 20 games. Schaus scored four goals and added 15 assists for 19 points in 77 games with the Worcester Sharks in his rookie campaign of 2010-2011. Prior to joining the pro ranks, Schaus skated collegiately at UMass-Lowell (NCAA, D-I), accumulating 10 goals and 55 assists for 65 points over four seasons from 2006-2010. A native of Orchard Park, N.Y., Schaus was named the USHL's Defenseman of the Year in 2005-2006, checking in fourth in the league among all skaters with 44 assists with the Omaha Lancers.

Radja leads Jackals skaters with 17 goals and 34 points. This will be his third AHL appearance of 2011-2012, having also played with Binghamton and the Peoria Rivermen this season.

The Jackals search for a 10th-straight win tonight when they head to Reading to battle the Royals. Elmira returns home to host South Carolina on Saturday and Trenton on Sunday at First Arena. To reserve your seats call (607) 734-PUCK (7825), visit the First Arena Box Office, or log onto JackalsHockey.com.



ECHL Stories from January 13, 2012


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