PRUSEK TO MAKE NHL DEBUT WITH SENATORS ON SATURDAY NIGHT
Published on March 22, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release
Grand Rapids, MI - The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League on Friday announced that goaltender Martin Prusek has been recalled by the Ottawa Senators on an emergency basis. As a result, the Griffins signed goaltender Jeff Salajko (suh-LAY-koh) to a professional tryout.
Prusek, Ottawa's sixth draft choice (164th overall) in 1999, replaces former Griffin Jani Hurme, who has the flu. Prusek is slated to make his National Hockey League debut tomorrow night against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Corel Centre.
In his first professional season in North America, Prusek (16-5-5) paces the AHL with a 1.79 goals against average and a 0.933 save percentage. The 26-year-old is vying to become the first AHL goalie in 63 years and just the fourth in league history to complete a season with a goals against average below 2.00.
Since returning from a knee injury on February 15, the Czech Republic native has allowed only 16 goals in 13 games with a 1.20 GAA and a 0.952 save percentage. In his last start on Wednesday night, Prusek turned away 24 of 25 shots as the Griffins and Milwaukee Admirals battled to a 1-1 stalemate. Salajko, 26, has played in 23 games for the East Coast Hockey League's Reading Royals this season, posting a 2.94 goals against average with a 8-12-2 record. He began the year with ECHL Arkansas (1-4-0, 3.35 GAA) and has also spent time with ECHL Peoria (3-1-0, 2.46 GAA) and AHL Manitoba (0-1-0, 9.00 GAA).
In his sixth professional season, the Kitchener, Ontario, native has played for ECHL Columbus (96-99), IHL Indianapolis (96-97, 98-99), IHL Kansas City (97-98), AHL Portland (98-99), ECHL Arkansas (99-01) and IHL Manitoba (99-01).
Salajko will serve as a backup to Simon Lajeunesse tonight when the Griffins visit the Bradley Center for an 8:30 p.m. start against Milwaukee.
American Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2002
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