RoadRunners Acquire All-Star Kowalski From Gwinnett
October 13, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL, a proud affiliate of the San Jose Sharks and the Worcester Sharks, have acquired goaltender Craig Kowalski from the Gwinnett Gladiators in exchange for center Bryan Esner.
Kowalski, 27, was a 2008 ECHL All-Star and finished tied for the league lead in wins after posting a 29-11-2 record with a career-best 2.33 goals against average and a career-best .923% save percentage in 44 games. The Clinton Township, Mich. native and fifth-year professional also appeared in four games with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League going 2-1-0 with a shutout while recording a 2.36 goals against average and a .906% save percentage.
Kowalski was named the starting goaltender for the American Conference at the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game in Stockton, Calif. after going 11-3-1 with a 2.25 goals against average and a .926% save percentage in 15 games for the Gladiators.
Prior to his arrival in Gwinnett, Kowalski went 54-25-10 in 91 games with the Florida Everblades in three seasons from 2005-2007 and registered a 2.72 goals against average and a .914% save percentage.
Esner signed as a free agent with the RoadRunners on July 29 after collecting 24 goals and 54 points in 71 games as a rookie last season with the Pensacola Ice Pilots and the South Carolina Stingrays.
In a separate transaction, the RoadRunners have waived forwards Josh Bonar and Geoff Walker, and have released goaltender Reto Schurch from his try-out agreement.
The RoadRunners open the 2008-09 regular season at 7:05 p.m. Friday as they welcome the Victoria Salmon Kings to US Airways Center for a three-game Opening Weekend series.
Great seats are still available beginning as low as $8 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (480) 784-4444, purchasing online ticketmaster.com or visiting the US Airways Center Box Office. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans for the 2008-09 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.
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