Jackals Bring Back Veteran Defenseman
August 22, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release
Jackals Bring Back Veteran Defenseman
(Elmira Jackals, Credit: Rick Bacmanski)
ELMIRA, NY - The Elmira Jackals, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, announced today the team has signed veteran defenseman Steven Kaunisto to a Standard Player Contract for the 2016-17 season.
Kaunisto, 29, joins the Jackals for his seventh professional season and his second stint in Elmira. During his first campaign with the Jackals, which came during the 2012-13 season, the six-foot, 200-pound defenseman skated in 30 games and added 10 points (3g, 7a). In his half-season in the Twin Tiers, Kaunisto was fifth on the team with a plus-13 rating, while adding 12 penalty minutes. He appeared in one playoff game for the Jackals in 2013.
"I am excited to be coming back to Elmira," said Kaunisto.
Photo Courtesy of Rick Bacmanski
"The last time I was here the fans made me feel welcome and playing in front of them will be amazing again. I am looking forward to getting the year going. Talking with Dave [Leger], I know what he expects from me and the team. We will be making a great run this year with the guys he has brought in."
Kaunisto split the 2015-16 season between the Brampton Beast and Kalamazoo Wings. After joining Brampton midseason, Kaunisto registered 22 points (6g, 16a) in 49 games. He began the season with Kalamazoo and had four assists in 12 games for the Wings.
The Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan native has skated in 315 career professional games between the ECHL and CHL. In 128 regular season ECHL games, he has 47 points (11g, 36a) and 38 penalty minutes, splitting time with Elmira, Reading, Rapid City, Florida, Kalamazoo and Brampton.
Prior to turning pro, Kaunisto appeared in 154 games at Lake Superior State, where he added 59 points (14g. 45a). He also had 68 penalty minutes and a plus-12 rating. He spent one season in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders, appearing in 57 games.
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 Jackals Bring Back Veteran Defenseman (Rick Bacmanski) |
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