MATT ZENZOLA SIGNED, JOHN GUSTAFSSON ACQUIRED

December 17, 2017 - SPHL (SPHL)
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs News Release

Ryan de Melo placed on waivers, Paul Russell traded to Macon

ROANOKE, VA - The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs announced a series of roster moves on Monday. Goaltender Matt Zenzola has been signed to a contract, forward Paul Russell has been traded to the Macon Mayhem in exchange for forward John Gustafsson and goaltender Ryan de Melo has been placed on waivers.

Zenzola opened the season with the Fayetteville Marksmen where he had gone 2-2-0 with a 4.85 GAA and .845 save percentage before being released on Wednesday. He spent the majority of the two previous seasons with the Pensacola Ice Flyers where he was a combined 26-15-9 with a 2.50 GAA and save percentage of .913. The 2015-16 Ice Flyers swept their way through the postseason en route to a President's Cup championship and Zenzola was named the MVP of the postseason after going 7-0-0 with a 2.14 GAA and .903 save percentage. A 24-year old native of San Diego, the netminder is in his fifth professional season.

Gustafsson joins the Dawgs after playing in 15 games for the Mayhem to open the season where he had netted five goals along with three assists. The Swedish-born forward turned pro for the 2016-17 season following four years of NCAA Division I hockey at Merrimack college. In his rookie season with Pensacola he scored 11 goals and dished out 12 assists over 46 games played.

In his second season with Roanoke, de Melo was 2-4-2 with a 4.17 GAA and .892 save percentage. Russell had appeared in 15 games for Roanoke and put up one goal and one assist. The winger is in his first professional season out of Norwich University.

SPHL Stories from December 17, 2017

• RAIL YARD DAWGS GAME RECAP: Dawgs Defeated in Huntsville, 5-2 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
• MAYHEM GAME RECAP: Mayhem Win 10-2 over Fayetteville In - Macon Mayhem
• RAIL YARD DAWGS GAME NOTES: Rail Yard Dawgs (5-9-2) at Havoc (9-4-2) - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
• Schiavo Brings Golden Resume - Fayetteville Marksmen
• Schiavo Brings Golden Resume - Fayetteville Marksmen
• ROANOKE FALLS TO BIRMINGHAM, 4-3 - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
• Travis Armstrong Loaned to ECHL Adirondack - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
• Mayhem Fill out Roster, Sign Forward Seth Ronsberg - Macon Mayhem
• RiverKings Doubled-Up by Havoc - Mississippi RiverKings
• Mayhem Add Third Goaltender, Sign Greg Dodds - Macon Mayhem
• MATT ZENZOLA SIGNED, JOHN GUSTAFSSON ACQUIRED - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Stories

• Roanoke Releases 2025-2026 Protected List
• Roanoke's Carson Gallagher Named SPHL Rookie of the Year
• Roanoke's Ford and Alvo Named to All-SPHL Second Team
• Roanoke's Gallagher Named to SPHL All-Rookie Team
• Dawgs Eliminated in 6-2 Game Three Loss to Ice Bears