Mayhem Finalize 2018-2019 Protected List
May 30, 2018 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Mayhem News Release
Macon Mayhem exchange high fives during the 2017-18 season
(Macon Mayhem)
MACON, GA - The Macon Mayhem and Director of Hockey Operations Leo Thomas announced the team's 13-player protected list for the 2018-2019 season on Wednesday afternoon.
The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) allows each team to protect 13 players who from the final roster, giving them exclusive rights in the SPHL to these players. These players cannot be chosen by the recently-announced Quad City franchise in this off-season's expansion draft and cannot sign as free agents with other SPHL teams. These 13 players are, however, free to sign contracts with teams in other professional leagues. The players excluded from the protected list are eligible to be chosen in the upcoming expansion draft and can sign freely with other teams in the SPHL.
"It's never an easy decision when you have so many guys that gave everything they had to this team and played their hearts out for us last season," said Thomas. "At the end of the day, our priority was to protect our young talent that we can build around for not only this season, but the future."
The Mayhem's protected list consists of nine forwards and four defensemen. Leading point-scorer Jake Trask, who tallied 30 goals, 46 assists and 76 points in 60 games in the regular season and playoffs, and captain Daniel Gentzler headline the list that includes the team's top six point-scorers from the regular season.
"There were obviously some really good players that were left off the list, but just because we didn't protect someone, it does not mean we would not like them back on our team," said Thomas. "The group we protected gives us a great core for next year's team, and we're excited to surround them with good players and teammates."
The Mayhem's 13-player protected list for the 2018-2019 season is as listed below:
FORWARDS (9) AGE HT WT HOMETOWN 17-18 MAYHEM STATS
Caleb Cameron 25 5-10 185 Sundridge, ON 23 G, 23 A, 46 P (50 GP)
Dylan Vander Esch 23 6-1 185 San Jose, CA 8 G, 14 A, 22 P (18 GP)
Kevin Irwin 24 5-11 185 Hinckley, OH 6 G, 5 A, 11 P (17 GP)
John Siemer 26 5-9 185 Baldwin Park, CA 23 G, 34 A, 57 P (62 GP)
Stathis Soumelidis 24 6-2 220 Brno, CZE 18 G, 30 A, 48 P (53 GP)
Chris Izmirlian 25 5-10 181 Montreal, QC 5 G, 13 A, 18 P (10 GP)
Dakota Klecha 26 5-8 176 Taylor, MI 7 G, 13 A, 20 P (23 GP)
Jake Trask 26 6-0 175 Saskatoon, SK 30 G, 46 A, 76 P (60 GP)
Daniel Gentzler 27 5-10 185 Hermosa Beach, CA 15 G, 35 A, 50 P (55 GP)
DEFENSEMEN (4) AGE HT WT HOMETOWN 17-18 MAYHEM STATS
Chris Joseph 27 6-0 185 Levittown, NY 1 G, 0 A, 1 P (13 GP)
Zach Urban 24 6-3 205 Bow Valley, AB 1 G, 17 A, 18 P (42 GP)
Jeff Sanders 29 6-2 185 San Jose, CA 2 G, 7 A, 9 P (46 GP)
Jarrett Kup 25 6-0 185 Rosseau, ON 0 G, 4 A, 4 P (8 GP)
Players can start signing with teams after the expansion draft, but players who were left unprotected cannot sign with their previous team until August 1.
For information on the upcoming season and 2018-2019 season tickets, visit MaconMayhem.com or call the Mayhem Front Office at (478) 803-1592.
Images from this story
 Macon Mayhem exchange high fives during the 2017-18 season |
SPHL Stories from May 30, 2018
- Rivermen Announce 2018 Protected List - Peoria Rivermen
- Mayhem Finalize 2018-2019 Protected List - Macon Mayhem
- ThunderBolts Announce Protected Players for Upcoming Season - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Rail Yard Dawgs Announce 2018-19 Protected List - 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.
