ECHL Reading Royals

Michael Ouzas Assigned To Reading

Published on October 2, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release


Reading, PA - The Reading Royals of the ECHL, affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League and the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, today announced that goaltender Michael Ouzas ("OOZ us") has been assigned to the Royals by the Marlies. Last year, Ouzas (5'10/189) (23), who hails from Hamilton, Ontario, compiled a record of 20-1-1 with a 1.91 goals against average and a .924 save percentage for the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds. In the Canadian Interuniversity Sport playoffs last season, Ouzas and his UNB teammates, for the second consecutive year, advanced all the way national championship gold medal game before being defeated by the University of Alberta Golden Bears. After the conclusion of UNB's season, Ouzas signed an amateur try-out contract with the Marlies, who then inked Ouzas to an AHL contract during the off-season.

Prior to matriculating to UNB, Ouzas appeared in 129 major junior hockey games with four different teams in the Ontario Hockey League from 2002 through 2006. Ouzas' most productive year in the OHL came in 2004-05 with the Mississauga Ice Dogs when he went 24-11-9 record with a 2.18 gaa and 926 save percentage to help the Ice Dogs capture the Central Division regular season championship. At the conclusion of that season, Ouzas, who allowed 2 or fewer goals in 25 games and was selected to represent Mississauga at the OHL All-Star Game, was chosen as the OHL's Goaltender of the Year, as well as the Ice Dogs' Most Valuable Player and Humanitarian of the Year.

In his first season at UNB, 2006-07, Ouzas and his UNB teammates were knocked off in the Atlantic University Sport conference finals, but still earned a berth to the CIS national championship playoffs. In a critical game during the round robin portion of the tournament, Ouzas posted a shutout against University of Quebec Trois Rivieres to earn UNB the opportunity to play in the Cavendish University Cup Finals. In that game, the Varsity Reds pulled out a dramatic overtime victory against the tournament host Moncton Aigles Bleus to win the Canadian university national championship gold medal. Ouzas was recognized for his efforts that season at UNB when he was selected as the school's runner-up rookie male athlete of the year.

In his sophomore year, 2007-08, UNB and Ouzas continued their winning ways with a record setting season, as the Varsity Reds won twenty-six regular season games on their way to capturing the regular season and playoff championships in the AUS conference. For his part, Ouzas led the league in wins (20), goals against average (1.91) and save percentage (.924). Those numbers were good enough to earn Ouzas a selection as a First Team AUS All-Star and a Second Team selection to the All-Canadian Team. For their part, the Varsity Reds earned their second consecutive slot in the CIS national championship tournament and once again advanced all the way to the gold medal finals. However, this time, UNB had to settle for the silver medal as the Alberta Golden Bears knocked the Varsity Reds off in the finals, 3-2. Ouzas, who entered that championship game with a 5-0 record in University Cup games and had only allowed a total of four goals in those five games, was selected as a member of the All-Tournament Team.

The Royals open the 2008-09 regular season against the Elmira Jackals on Friday, October 17, 2008 at First Arena in Elmira, New York. The Royals' home opener is set for Saturday, October 25, 2008, when the Johnstown Chiefs visit the Sovereign Center. Royals' full Season Tickets and Total Choice Flex Plans are now on sale. To obtain more information on becoming a part Royals' hockey, call 610-898-PUCK to speak with Royals' ticket representative or visit the Royals website, www.royalshockey.com.

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