Leaders Dusbabek, Ballantyne Return To RoadRunners
Published on September 27, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL, a proud affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes and the San Antonio Rampage, have announced that veteran forward Joe Dusbabek and defenseman Paul Ballantyne have each agreed to terms on a contract to return to the RoadRunners for the 2006-07 season.
"I'm looking forward to having Joe and Paul back in our line-up again this year," said RoadRunners Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Ron Filion. "Both players have proven their value as leaders on and off the ice, and with a fresh, young group coming into camp, I will rely on the two of them to set the bar high."
Dusbabek, 28, tallied 10 goals and 24 points in 49 games with the RoadRunners before he was dealt to Utah on March 14 along with defenseman Brent Henley in a trade deadline move. The Fairbault, Minn. native recorded one assist in seven games with the Grizzlies and one assist in four playoff contests against the Alaska Aces. Dusbabek tallied the first shorthanded and first game-winning goals in RoadRunners ECHL history in a season-opening 4-1 victory at Utah last year. He is a former seventh round draft pick of the San Jose Sharks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and has collected 85 goals, 143 assists, and 228 points in 363 career games over a six-year professional career.
Ballantyne, 24, missed 47 games due to injury last season, yet still managed to collect two goals and 13 points in 25 games including a pair of three-point performances against San Diego and Victoria. The Waterloo, Ontario native is entering his fifth professional season, but just his second full season outside the Detroit Red Wings organization. He tallied five goals and 16 points in 54 games during the 2004-05 campaign split between the Toledo Storm of the ECHL and the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. A former sixth round selection by Detroit at the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Ballantyne has 32 goals, 62 assists, and 94 points in 208 career games.
The RoadRunners have also announced that the club has released rookie forward Chase Trull from the roster.
Dusbabek and Ballantyne join a RoadRunners training camp roster that includes forwards Aaron Slattengren, Brett Smith, Tommy Maxwell, Kyle Musselman, and Shawn Futers, defensemen Brent Henley, Dusty Demianiuk, David Pszenyczny, and Andrew Winnik, and goaltender Mike Mole.
Individual game tickets for the 2006-07 regular season are currently on sale and can be purchased at the US Airways Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster outlets including Ticketmaster.com.
Opening Night 2006 at US Airways Center will be on Friday, October 20 when the RoadRunners welcome the Utah Grizzlies at 7:11PM for the first game of an opening weekend three-game series. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.
ECHL Stories from September 27, 2006
- Leaders Dusbabek, Ballantyne Return To RoadRunners - Phoenix RoadRunners
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